ECM Technika IV drip - Page 2

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Louis
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#11: Post by Louis »

To adjust brew pressure, find the pump inside your machine and look at one of its side, where you will find an adjustment screw/bolt (you might need to loosen a nut to adjust). See this post for a picture: Initial Set-Up of Rotary Pump Pressure

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keno (original poster)
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#12: Post by keno (original poster) »

Thanks guys, very helpful!

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keno (original poster)
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#13: Post by keno (original poster) »

I think I might still have a problem. I've dialed down the pump pressure from 10.5 bar to just under 10 bar when the machine is backflushed. But the drip still occurs. In fact, when backflushing I notice a steady stream pouring out of the hole. It even drips very steadily even if I turn on the pump with no portafilter in the group. When I turn the pump off the drip slows and eventually stops.



The thing I'm confused about is that you guys said that this is to prevent over pressure from building in the HX when the machine is heating up, but that's the only time I never see any water coming out of this. Could it be that the over pressure level is set too low? If it was set at 9 bar instead of 12 bar then the pump pressure would activate it. I think I'm also noticing that shots are on the sour side.

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erics
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#14: Post by erics »

In fact, when backflushing I notice a steady stream pouring out of the hole.
This is NOT correct but, essentially, the only "harm" is that the drip tray is being overused.

The way to fix all of this is to temporarily adjust the pump pressure up to 12 bar while "brewing" with a blind filter in place. It doesn't need to be exactly 12 . . . anywhere from 11-12 will suffice. During this event, adjust the OPV such that it allows a drip . . . drip . . . drip into the drip tray. One or two drops per second seems reasonable.

Now readjust the pump relief/regulating valve to show 9.0 bar on the gage while operating with the blind filter. You're done . . . happy brewing.
Skål,

Eric S.
http://users.rcn.com/erics/
E-mail: erics at rcn dot com

john_ertw
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#15: Post by john_ertw »

keno wrote:I've dialed down the pump pressure from 10.5 bar to just under 10 bar when the machine is backflushed.
My understanding is that you want to dial it down to 9 bar for optimal espresso brewing. I know this doesn't help with the drip, but it's something.

The OPV is also easy to adjust, just rotate the valve to increase/decrease the setpoint. erics gave a great description of how to do it. I would just add that once you set the pump back to 9 bar, try running it with the blind and make sure you do not have any more dripping.

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keno (original poster)
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#16: Post by keno (original poster) »

Thanks Eric! Just two more questions:

(1) Why dial it all the way down to 9 bar with the blind filter? My understanding is that the pressure with the blind filter is about 0.5 to 1.0 bar higher than what you get when pulling a shot. Hence my thinking is that the pump pressure with the blind filter should be set 0.5 to 1.0 bar higher than the desired pressure.

(2) Just to be clear, the OPV for the HX expansion that I'm going to adjust to an 11-12 bar pressure is the valve tied into the clear silicone tube that runs to the hole above the drip tray?

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erics
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#17: Post by erics »

Just to be clear, the OPV for the HX expansion that I'm going to adjust to an 11-12 bar pressure is the valve tied into the clear silicone tube that runs to the hole above the drip tray?
Yes. I say "yes" because I have seen the one pic of the ECM internals that 1st-line has on their site and nothing else is connected to that silicone tube.
Why dial it all the way down to 9 bar with the blind filter?
At typical average espresso flowrates, that should produce somewhere between 8.5 and 8.75 bar at the coffee which, while unexplainable, I have found to be "just right." If you undress your machine to adjust the expansion valve, take some pics and post same and I will identify all the visible felons. :)
Skål,

Eric S.
http://users.rcn.com/erics/
E-mail: erics at rcn dot com

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keno (original poster)
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#18: Post by keno (original poster) »

Eric, am I correct in thinking that the left arrow points to the OPV for the expansion valve (note that the silicone tube runs to the hole above the drip tray) and the right arrow points to the pump pressure adjustment on the rotary vane pump?


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erics
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#19: Post by erics »

You're absolutely correct. BTW, I would turn the adjustment screw on the OPV until the "slot" is horizontal (1/8 turn?) before anything else. That might just put you in the "right spot".

While you have it undressed, what is the model number on that Fluid-o-Tech pump?
Skål,

Eric S.
http://users.rcn.com/erics/
E-mail: erics at rcn dot com

caryet
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#20: Post by caryet »

Just a note.

I don't think this was mentioned, but I assume this is the "switchable or direct connect" machine, because my "tank" version purchased last Sept. has no expansion valve like the one shown. I believe the expansion valve just isn't necessary on the tank model due to it's specific plumbing. Also, I am not seeing my "tank" only version on the 1st-Line website anymore, which leads me to believe that Jim or ECM figured.... why offer both versions at the same price when one of the machines has the switchable option. Nonetheless, it's producing great shots.
Cary