That is odd. I have my machine idling at 1.1 bar and with Eric's adapter (I have the fancy steel braided thermocouple version) I do not recall ever getting more than 205F on the Fluke. When I flush the temperature spikes which is to be expected and shown in the above flush graphs.

The gauges on the Domobar Super are not of 'exceptional quality' but functional. The gauges are plastic with a chromed plastic accent ring but accurate enough to do the job. The only way I know to verify would be trying another gauge or put a gauge on the steam wand and open the steam valve to check the reading. The pressure in the steam wand should be equal to the boiler pressure gauge. But that would be a pain to rig.

The thermosyphon restrictor is a fixed disk mounted in the upper thermosyphon line. It is installed when the group is put together. I have seen a photo of a commercial HX that had an adjustable restrictor in the thermosyphon line. You could tune the group by turning an adjustment knob. To change the restrictor in the Vibiemme you would have to remove the group from the machine.

Another thought, you are in Canada; I wonder if this is a US market mod and not present in the Canadian version. Although on my Isomac, which does not have a restrictor, the group temperature climbs higher than what you are seeing.

erics wrote:Dave - what you are saying about the US market Vibiemme is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Recall the multiple posts here and on CG about Australian Expobars having a 2.5 mm thermosyphon orifice installed and US Expobars running "hot" with no restriction.

I will have to drop Stefano an email and see if he can answer that question.

cannonfodder wrote:To change the restrictor in the Vibiemme you would have to remove the group from the machine.

The restrictor (61 / 62) is in the TS / boiler connector. No need to remove the group from the machine.

My boiler is currently set to an uncalibrated 231.5 / 0.65bar and the group idles at a calibrated 200

cafeIKE wrote:The restrictor (61 / 62) is in the TS / boiler connector. No need to remove the group from the machine.

Interesting, I thought it was in the upper thermosyphen line at the group connection. I may perform a little surgery just for my own personal edification. And pass on a few photos for the others that would like to see what a flow restrictor looks like.

I have been working on taking some shot photos for my friend Tony and his revamped Caffe Fresco web page. I switched to the VBM this morning and the espresso gods smiled on me.

That is a 3 ounce shot with a 16 gram dose of Ambrosia, mindbender of a shot. Try getting more crema in your shot than that!

cannonfodder wrote:I may perform a little surgery just for my own personal edification. And pass on a few photos for the others that would like to see what a flow restrictor looks like.

No surgery required

Vibiemme Flow Restrictors

cannonfodder wrote:Try getting more crema in your shot than that!

Duh! Pull 4 ounces

the guys at expobar said that the teflon restrictors will not build up scale like the brass ones.

this is why they use the teflon ones.

i think the restrictor is key. the one in my pulser has it working great. i recently switched to a vetrano and it seems like it needs a restrictor as well. or a smaller one.

jon

RegulatorJohnson wrote:the guys at expobar said that the teflon restrictors will not build up scale like the brass ones.

OTOH, if a brass one builds up enough scale, the group will be stone cold.
A sure fire indicator that a descale is in order.

erics wrote:Dave - what you are saying about the US market Vibiemme is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Recall the multiple posts here and on CG about Australian Expobars having a 2.5 mm thermosyphon orifice installed and US Expobars running "hot" with no restriction.

I got an email back from Stefano about the restrictor. The importer/distributor is responsible for the its installation as well as the size of the restrictor. So you could get a Domobar Super without a thermosyphon restrictor. However, if you got the machine from 1st-Line there should be one in there.

The only way I know to verify its presence is to remove the case and detach the thermosyphon line and look. Unfortunately, that could void your warranty. So check with your vendor prior to taking a wrench to the machine.