Are you sure those switches can carry the current necessary for your heating element? If not, consider running them through an SSR

When I want to disable autofill, I just yank the Gicar from it's socket. But nice job. The step up is nicely placed.
I was kind of leery of the original wiring, so I just ripped it all out and replaced it all.

In my experience with my machine, the autofill has a very tight hysteresis - when pulling a shot, it may run, but for a very short time, and against the huge reservoir of hot water, it isn't enough to really affect the temps that much.

I get the impression that the design of this machine is really tuned well.

Yes the switches are more than capable. They are rated at 240 Vac and 30 amps. No worries there I use identical switches on my Cafemino roaster on the heater lines.

I suspect that the machine will be capable of handling the auto-fill without major temperature issue but as I wrote...I was there... Can't wait to get the seals...

Yes, those gaskets are for the adjustable retention screw.

Holy crap beautiful restoration. Did you get this level machine with the SJ that I bought from you? When I mentioned it you said that I wouldn't want it because it was in bad shape. But you bought it yourself ?

Yes it is the same machine.
I actually was talking about the grinder then, as I thought that you were. It was in horrible condition when I got it. But as you can see the Fiore was also in pretty bad shape as well. I'll invite you in for a cup as soon as I finish the restoration.

It looks really nice indeed. The SJ is doing very nicely. I know you have a bunch of Varios, but I feel as if the SJ has dethroned it.

I'm definitely not ready for a rebuild project like that. I have still not put my last machine in service.

Where did you get your wire? Is that silicone coated? I have some fiberglass coated wire that will definitely work, but way less cool especially since it's black.

Just a thought... I have concerns over the placement of the terminal strip; the pressurestat can leak - ask me how I know. Anyway, you might consider moving it to a more shielded location, or putting a deflector or box around it.

The wires are just regular poly-something jacket rated to 60°C. This is just a temporary situation. I will get some high heat wires for my roaster projects shortly and will install it in this machine as well.
Although I do not expect that the low part of the machine should see temperature much above 60°C.

Good point on the location of the terminal strip.I had it located there because there was a hole in the frame to use but I will find another one. I intend to put everything in a project box when I have completed the functional tests.

Where the B-Vario beats the SJ is in the size factor. I can afford to have 2 Varios where a single SJ would sit. I like having many different coffees and blends available...

Whale wrote:


On this view you can see also see the experimental location of the Vacuum breaker. The line going to the pressure stat is small and can easily be reshaped to suit. The only issue with that location is that it will sit right in front of a boiler plate bolt. I cannot complete the positioning until the boiler gasket arrives.

You might consider moving the vacuum breaker from that location - as the machine comes up to temperature, the vacuum breaker starts spitting out water until it closes. Where is that water going to drip? In my modification, it drips into the drip tray. In yours, it drips onto the exposed heating element contacts! This will eventually lead to corrosion and poor contact.