ECM Synchronika and Profitec Pro 700 Steam Upgrade - Page 2

#11: Post by **kitt** » April 20th, 2018, 5:49 pm

JayBeck wrote:The Pro 700 (the Pro 500 was not in the video) comes stock with a 4 hole tip. The Synchronika comes stock with a 2 hole tip. It's not staged. In fact, if they had used a 4 hole tip, the milk would have come to temperature sooner. LMLM / GS/3 'steam' is no longer an advantage over these 2 machines with this upgrade. All the extra money buys you now is faster heat up time and commercial capabilities for pulling shots every 45 seconds whereas these machines need a 60 second rest to be temp stable.

I wonder what the cost is going to be to upgrade old machines. I would be shocked if it was more than $150-200 which would be worth it IMO if you make milk based drinks.

Unless you're steaming for big bowl lattes, i think the standard wand with 4 hole tip is more than adequate on these machines . I can't see it being a cheap upgrade unless it's subsidised by ECM or Profitec. The PID controllers go for $250 here in Australia, plus a new safety valve $30-50 , plus labour, which could be a bit given the PID location behind the brew boiler, which means you have to virtually remove it to replace the controller. I'd allow 1- 1 and a half hours labour for changing the controller and testing etc

#12: Post by **bluesman** » April 20th, 2018, 5:55 pm

felyko wrote:I have the opposite experience. The two hole tip on my ECM is close to useless, so I use a 4 hole steam tip which provides a steady whirlpool. Perhaps your 2 hole steam tip is of a different size.

Did you remove the "no-burn" liner? It makes a world of difference. I ordered the 4 hole before removing the sleeve, but I removed the sleeve before the tip arrived. The 4 hole with the liner in place is no match for the 2 hole without it. The location and angulation of the 2 holes in the stock tip work incredibly well in my hands with the liner removed - the 4 hole stretches a bit faster, but I can't seem to get the texture of the foam to be as lush as it is with the 2 hole.

#13: Post by **felyko** » April 20th, 2018, 6:19 pm

kitt wrote:Unless you're steaming for big bowl lattes, i think the standard wand with 4 hole tip is more than adequate on these machines . I can't see it being a cheap upgrade unless it's subsidised by ECM or Profitec. The PID controllers go for $250 here in Australia, plus a new safety valve $30-50 , plus labour, which could be a bit given the PID location behind the brew boiler, which means you have to virtually remove it to replace the controller. I'd allow 1- 1 and a half hours labour for changing the controller and testing etc

I think most people will do the upgrade themselves so labor isn't involved. I'm expecting the upgrade to be around $170 USD, but that's just my guess.

#14: Post by **felyko** » April 20th, 2018, 6:20 pm

bluesman wrote:Did you remove the "no-burn" liner? It makes a world of difference. I ordered the 4 hole before removing the sleeve, but I removed the sleeve before the tip arrived. The 4 hole with the liner in place is no match for the 2 hole without it. The location and angulation of the 2 holes in the stock tip work incredibly well in my hands with the liner removed - the 4 hole stretches a bit faster, but I can't seem to get the texture of the foam to be as lush as it is with the 2 hole.

No, I did not remove the no-burn liner.

#15: Post by **ben8jam** » April 20th, 2018, 6:52 pm

felyko wrote:I think most people will do the upgrade themselves so labor isn't involved. I'm expecting the upgrade to be around $170 USD, but that's just my guess.

The steam pressure valve is probably a $10 part. But they will most likely charge a lot for the PID - which is annoying because it should be an easy software update, as opposed to replacing the whole thing.

April 20th, 2018, 7:02 pm

It's quite possible that the PID is indeed re-programmable but most people will not have the necessary equipment and skill to do it, so the only option is to sell a new PID. The old PID was $130 or so.

April 20th, 2018, 8:25 pm

It would be nice if they subsidized the price by allowing you to send the old PID back.

#18: Post by **Brother_Bluto** » April 20th, 2018, 8:55 pm

mike guy wrote:Interesting. I am happy with the steam performance on the syncrhonika but I will probably spring for the upgrade kit if it's reasonable.

Looking at it the same way - happy with performance, but may upgrade at some point.

#19: Post by **boost** » April 20th, 2018, 9:27 pm

Does the new PID just allow higher set temperature compared to the old one?
How high does the old one sets to?

#20: Post by **lagoon** » April 20th, 2018, 11:23 pm

felyko wrote:I think most people will do the upgrade themselves so labor isn't involved. I'm expecting the upgrade to be around $170 USD, but that's just my guess.

Alternatively, have it done when it's in for an annual service.