Installing E61 flow control device without breaking anything
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Planning to add an e61 FCD to my ECM Synchronika, and before I install, I was hoping for any "CAREFUL! Don't do this!" install and use tips since I am modding the machine.
My understanding is that the FCD blocks water from coming to the grouphead, and unlike a blank disc, there is no place for the water to escape to when blocked, so it could just continually build up a ton of reverse pressure on the rotary pump? Is that right?
Anything I should know not to do to make sure I cause no harm - i.e. I would assume I should never run the machine with the FCD set to the closed position and always make sure it's at least a little bit open? And limit time with it too obstructed at only, say, 1/8 turn? Anything else?
My understanding is that the FCD blocks water from coming to the grouphead, and unlike a blank disc, there is no place for the water to escape to when blocked, so it could just continually build up a ton of reverse pressure on the rotary pump? Is that right?
Anything I should know not to do to make sure I cause no harm - i.e. I would assume I should never run the machine with the FCD set to the closed position and always make sure it's at least a little bit open? And limit time with it too obstructed at only, say, 1/8 turn? Anything else?
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You just unscrew the old mushroom and replace it with the new one. WLL has a good video that shows just what needs to be done. Not hard at all but you need the right sized open end or adjustable (Crescent style) wrench taking care not to scratch the chrome. In some kits they provide you with a new and stiffer pre-infusion chamber spring, but some folks prefer to use the original pre-infusion spring (there is a thread somewhere in the forums on this).
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As nick said, unscrew the old mushroom and install the FC version; change out the spring if you wish (I prefer with the stock spring). If you don't have one of those fancy Crescent wrenches with the soft jaws, wrap some electrical tape around the mushroom.dsc106 wrote:Planning to add an e61 FCD to my ECM Synchronika, and before I install, I was hoping for any "CAREFUL! Don't do this!" install and use tips since I am modding the machine. My understanding is that the FCD blocks water from coming to the grouphead, and unlike a blank disc, there is no place for the water to escape to when blocked, so it could just continually build up a ton of reverse pressure on the rotary pump? Is that right? Anything I should know not to do to make sure I cause no harm - i.e. I would assume I should never run the machine with the FCD set to the closed position and always make sure it's at least a little bit open? And limit time with it too obstructed at only, say, 1/8 turn? Anything else?
Concerning the pressure, closing the FC valve all the way has the same effect as using a blind basket. No excess pressure builds up because your Synchronika has a bypass valve in the pump. You don't have to leave it cracked open a bit. I contacted Fluid-o-tech and asked the same questions. Somewhere I posted their reply, but the gist of it is you'd have to leave the machine on and running with the FC valve closed for a long time to create any risk of damage.
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Oh great, this is very helpful to know. So basically, same rules as backflushing apply - don't leave the blind basket in and pumping for several minutes. Just use as normal and all good. The install sounds very simple.
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Where can you find one of these control devices? I have a profitec 700
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You should be able to get one from your ECM/Profitec dealer, although I recall someone posting that at least one of the dealers has ceased to sell them even though they will supply a machine with one. Coffee Sensor markets one that is functionally identical to the ECM/Profitec one. I got mine from Coffee Addicts, who has the best price I could find in Canada https://coffeeaddicts.ca/products/coffe ... ag_organic I don't know if they ship outside Canada.
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In the US, you can buy the Quick Mill FC device from Chris Coffee, and the Lelit Bianca one from 1st-line. 1st-line also sells one under their own brand name.napierzaza wrote:Where can you find one of these control devices? I have a profitec 700
I have both the Profitec FC device on my PP 500 and the Quick Mill on my QM67. I much prefer the Quick Mill. On the Profitec, the useful range of reduced pressure is between fully off and 1/4 of a turn. On the Quick Mill, the useful range is between fully off and 1/2 of a turn. It is much easier to set the desired pressure on the Quick Mill as it is less sensitive to small movements of the FC knob.
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Nunas, could you speak to this, comparing your experience with the ECM/Profitec version and the Coffee Sensor version as pertains to the useful turning range? Would you say the Coffee Sensor one is closer to the QM device in this description?mycatsnameisbernie wrote:I much prefer the Quick Mill. On the Profitec, the useful range of reduced pressure is between fully off and 1/4 of a turn. On the Quick Mill, the useful range is between fully off and 1/2 of a turn. It is much easier to set the desired pressure on the Quick Mill as it is less sensitive to small movements of the FC knob.
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After posting this, it occurred to me that the sensitivity of the FC device might also depend on the E61 gicleur that its needle valve mates with. So my comparison isn't apples to apples. Especially since the QM is a DB and the Profitec is an HX machine. Results might be different if a Quick Mill FC device were put on a Profitec HX E61 or vice versa.mycatsnameisbernie wrote:I have both the Profitec FC device on my PP 500 and the Quick Mill on my QM67. I much prefer the Quick Mill.
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I don't know anything about FC kits other than the ECM/Profitec and the Coffee Sensor, as I have both. On these, I measured the same water debit (i.e unrestricted water flow) as the stock mushroom on my Synchronika at almost 1.5 turns. The controls will turn about 2-turns, but anything more than 1.5 turns isn't all that useful. I usually run the control at 0.5 to 0.75 turns. Because I use the stock e61 spring, this gives me a nice long preinfusion followed by a properly-timed shot, without having to touch the FC. I tweak the FC control and the grind so that after preinfusion the coffee just begins to dribble out with the FC gauge showing maximum pressure. As the coffee erodes the oils and solids from the puck, the pressure gradually drops off a bar or two. If it drops too quickly, then I know I've got some channeling. If I catch it in time, I can close the flow control somewhat to slow the flow and save the shot from being a sink-shot. It won't be a god-shot, but it is drinkable.