I have a Reneka Techno V2 that I bought new in 2003. It has been very good but, finally the steam boiler element failed and also has some arcing at the main fuse. I purchased a decent espresso DE1 v1.1 last year and put the Reneka in a closet. I have no intention of repairing it and am planning to

Actually, my Reneka is completely plumbed in, water feed and drip tray, with a 220 V outlet. It's always on and I never worry about it. So I am looking to plumb in whatever machine I get. One concern with the La Marzocco, aside from a *perceived* complexity of repair, is that I'm not certain the dri...

Thank you for the comprehensive and thoughtful reply's. I am still torn but I am leaning more towards the ECM. In particular, I like the very well organized layout and what appears to be easy accessibility for repairs. These certainly will come up. Also, the La Marzocco doesn't seem to be able to pl...

Hi all, I read this and other threads, and am in the same situation as the OP, trying to decide between the Synchronika vs the LMLM. I had also been considering a pressure profiling machine, but based on my family's use patterns (see below) am not sure I could really benefit, although the idea is at...

I'll look when I get home. I can tell you the effect of the larger diameter on the tea dispenser -- the hot water floods out in a cloud of steam. There is definitely an advantage to the smaller diameter nozzle in that location. Will get back later

The valve part itself. If you unscrew the tubular component from the flange that attaches to the brass block, the profile of the inlet on the inside of the flange where the solenoid nucleus seats is different for the two valves. It may not matter but it is possible the inlet diameters are different?

I have a Techno as well, and have replaced the solenoids on occasion. My question is that the tea nozzle solenoid seems to have a steeper or more tubular shape in the base inlet, whereas the espresso solenoid has an almost hemispherical shape. In looking at the CafeParts reference {link} for the sol...

Wow am I glad I found this thread. I've had a 230v Techno V2 since 2003, purchased from Rene', and with his patient help have kept it running in pretty good shape over the years. This has included boiler gasket replacement, flow meter, multiple solenoids and the pump/motor bearing replacement. So fa...

Appreciate the info. I will look into the regulator and gauge. Where have you set your pressure? I noted that my naked portafilter will spray sometimes; do you think this can be related to inlet pressure, or is a gicleur the proper solution for that?

I have had my Techno since 2003 and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently needed to replace the gaskets on the boilers, which went well, except for a question about some green stuff in the steam boiler, posted on Coffee Geek. That adventure, and my concern re the green in the boiler, got me looking...