Is a Flojet necessary for vibe pump drawing from bottle?

Need help with equipment usage or want to share your latest discovery?
pauljolly65
Posts: 89
Joined: 17 years ago

#1: Post by pauljolly65 »

I'm tired of all the pouring into my Vibiemme manuale (a real shocker, huh? :o). I've got a five-gallon bottle on the floor, and this is about two and a half feet below the machine. So do I need something to help bring the water up to machine level, or can I simply run a longer tube down to floor level?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

User avatar
stefano65
Sponsor
Posts: 1405
Joined: 17 years ago

#2: Post by stefano65 »

You'll be wearing your pump out prematurely
another options is a water line next to the machine with a cock valve that you can fill the reservoir directly from it ( even better coming from a water softener)
Stefano Cremonesi
Stefano's Espresso Care
Repairs & sales from Oregon.

User avatar
HB
Admin
Posts: 21981
Joined: 19 years ago

#3: Post by HB »

Stefano is right, your ULKA pump is not spec'd at negative pressure. If however you're willing to accept an impact on the pump's service life in exchange for convenience, remember to add a check valve to prevent water backflow. Personally I think the best option is installing a water filter and softener and converting your pourover espresso machine to direct connect.
Dan Kehn

User avatar
cannonfodder
Team HB
Posts: 10497
Joined: 19 years ago

#4: Post by cannonfodder »

stefano65 wrote:You'll be wearing your pump out prematurely
another options is a water line next to the machine with a cock valve that you can fill the reservoir directly from it ( even better coming from a water softener)

That is exactly what I do. I have a couple auxiliary lines in the espresso bar. One of which is a small ¼ inch line fed from my filtered mains that I installed a ¼ turn shutoff valve on. I just remove the cup warmer (cups and all) and fill the tank with the water line.
Dave Stephens

pauljolly65 (original poster)
Posts: 89
Joined: 17 years ago

#5: Post by pauljolly65 (original poster) »

Thanks for the quick feedback. I don't have a water line within ten feet of the machine, which means that we'll have to buy a new house. :lol: In the meantime, I've got a hand pump for the water bottle with three feet of tubing feeding directly into the Vibiemme's reservoir. When it gets low, I pump for 30 secs and it's full. It's cut down the foot traffic between the machine and the sink tremendously!

Cheers,
Paul