On the bottom of a Zodiaco group there is a assembly with springs, a ball etc. This is a pic:



The outer spring holds up the upper rubber ring, the inner spring holds up the ball against the rubber ring. And then there is the rod that can be screwed up and down. I watched Doug's Lambro video on Youtube. There he explains that with that rod, you can increase or decrease the flow. But what flow is this? Is this the flow from the water into the cylinder, when you pull down the lever? Or is this the flow from the thermosyphon? Or....?

Thanks,

Cheers Niels

Isn't that a beautiful little seemingly over complicated device?? Just count the number of tiny parts in there...amazing! From what I could tell, tightening the brass rod increases the tension on the spring which counters the water flow into the cylinder....or restricts the water entrance into the cylinder. Loosening the brass shaft allows the water to flow faster into the cylinder. That was my observation at least. The purpose of this is of course up for discussion and it can only be some type of flow control for preinfusion...or general flow into the cylinder. Astoria groups have a large ball bearing and spring behind the group that restricts the flow form the hx and dipper tube groups have the 10-12mm dipper tube ending in a pinhole at the group for flow restriction (not adjustable).
It is my opinion that the Faema flow control is just another example of the extreme adjustable mechanism of the Zodiaco group. The metering rod on top of the group rear has to do with the thermosyphon flow, but the lower mechanism is, as far as I could determine experimentally, the water flow into the cylinder control since it could completely shut off the water when tightened all the way down.
Nice new parts you have there by the way, and well laid out.

doug is right. thats flow control for preinfusion AND a backstroke valve for when u release the lever...the italians put a lot of effort in this details. i love it! on the top side of the group flange u can control the termosyphon circulation which has an effect on the grouptemperature ...

ok, thanks guys!

....since it could completely shut off the water when tightened all the way down

All the way down? I would suspect that turning it all the way up it will shut off the water....

on the top side of the group flange u can control the termosyphon circulation which has an effect on the grouptemperature ...

How can you control it? I can't see anything variable? Only parts #104246, 104232 and 104247.

u can control it with rotating part #104247 which is flat on one side and which works as flow restrictor (?)..u can controll the area where the water is flowing through....

and yes...when u screw the lower bolt completely in (up) no water will come out of the group.....

Thanks!

13thfloorelevators wrote:u can control it with rotating part #104247 which is flat on one side and which works as flow restrictor (?)..u can controll the area where the water is flowing through....

and yes...when u screw the lower bolt completely in (up) no water will come out of the group.....

So how do you have them? High flow?

Have it completely open without this part....was removed by one of the previous owners..reorderd it but never built in cause i dont have problems with a too hot group...

And the bottom-rod?

Dont really know anymore...think its just a little bit closed to not get channeling problems.....but i didnt play that much around with it...

Tanx!!