Plumbed in and now brew pressure is unstable

by **espressojoe** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:24 pm

Hey everyone!
Long time reader; 1st time poster. I have a Faema Compact S. I recently plumbed it in and now the pressure is unstable. I've adjusted the OPV a lot and even taken it apart to inspect it.

Instead of ramping up and staying at 9 bars (like it used to), it now goes to 9 and slowly keeps going up.
I'm using a water pressure gauge that I've attached to one of the portafilters.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe

by **Randy G.** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:14 pm

Do you have a pressure regulator on the inlet side of the machine, between the machine and the water source?

by **espressojoe** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:17 pm

No, I do not have a pressure regulator on the inlet side of the machine. Where can I find one? I'm off to look on google. Thanks!

by **espressojoe** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:19 pm

Something like this? http://www.orphanespresso.com/Line-Pres..._2825.html

by **JohnB.** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:20 pm

Is it doing this when you are pulling a shot or just with a blind basket in the p/f?

by **espressojoe** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:21 pm

Maybe this? http://www.espressoparts.com/FLO30

by **espressojoe** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:29 pm

@JohnB Yes, I believe that the pressure is too strong overall. When I took out the OPV pressure regulator, I was getting about 75 or 80 PSI (I assume that's the line water pressure) with a portafilter & pressure gauge. What should the line pressure be adjusted to? Thanks!

by **JohnB.** on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:35 pm

I'm not familiar with your machine but if it has line pressure pre infusion 3 bar/43 PSI would be nice. If not then 30 PSI should be fine.

by **cannonfodder** on Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:44 pm

Most machines that I have worked on spec a 2-4 bar inlet pressure. Does the S use the rotary or vibe pump? I had an old Faema rotary that would do something similar with a blind basket and pressure gauge. The pressure would ramp up to where it should be then slowly climb but it only did that with pressure gauge portafilter with no water flow. I would start with a regulator and turn the mains pressure down to 2-3 bar.


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