Posted Tue Dec 2, 2008, 9:29pm Subject: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
I have a Gaggia Espresso that was working very well one day and the next day it would not heat up AT ALL.
- The light comes on when I turn on the main power switch but the machine does not heat up at all. I opened it up and checked for any corroded connections but that doesn't appear to be the issue.
- The Pump still works fine (although if I don't use the machine for a few weeks I have to manually prime the pump before it will work. Another issue but certainly open to input on this)
If you can give me help diagnosing this issue I would really appreciate it.
Posted Tue Dec 2, 2008, 9:41pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
Do you have a volt/ohm meter for electrical testing? If so you can isolate the cause by unplugging the unit and using the ohm meter to check the overtemp fuse, thermostats, and heater elements to isolate the problem.
Posted Tue Dec 2, 2008, 10:02pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
Yes, I do have a volt/ohm meter, although I'm not exactly sure how I would go about testing each component. Would it just be a matter of checking to see if I have current running through each component like testing a fuse on a car?
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 8:57am Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
MikeV Said:
Yes, I do have a volt/ohm meter, although I'm not exactly sure how I would go about testing each component. Would it just be a matter of checking to see if I have current running through each component like testing a fuse on a car?
To be safe, unplug the unit and test for 'continuity' using the ohm meter. The first items I would check are the 'thermal fuse' located on a clip on top of the boiler. Then check across the thermostats, one on top of the boiler for steam and one on the left side of boiler for brew. If any of these read 'open' when the machine is off and cool, that is the problem. Unlikely it is one of the heating elements but check them as well and any connectors that might appear overheated or burned. This would be from poor connection or corrosion.
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 12:41pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
The Thermal Fuse does NOT have continuity, but all other components do. Additionally, all other connections appear clean and well connected with no corrosion evident.
So I need to get a new Thermal Fuse? If so, can you point me to a good source to order one?
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 4:10pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
http://www.partsguru.com/GaggiaEspresso.html Ouch at $15 each here. Radio Shack sells a 'generic' part for $2 but is only rated to 10 amps. A bit shy of what you should have in the Gaggia. (around 1370 watt heater) You might check around your area for electronics supplier (like Fry's etc) to see if you can locate a suitable replacement. Don't rule out replacing it with a resetable thermal breaker either... Good luck on that and glad you were able to find the problem.
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 4:27pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
Frost Said:
http://www.partsguru.com/GaggiaEspresso.html Ouch at $15 each here. Radio Shack sells a 'generic' part for $2 but is only rated to 10 amps. A bit shy of what you should have in the Gaggia. (around 1370 watt heater) You might check around your area for electronics supplier (like Fry's etc) to see if you can locate a suitable replacement. Don't rule out replacing it with a resetable thermal breaker either... Good luck on that and glad you were able to find the problem.
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 5:05pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
Fry's Electronics is where I get my thermal fuses for 99 cents each, but I don't know if there's one near you. They are out in California for sure, but it looks like the closest to you might be Fountain Valley or Anaheim. Not sure about that, but the one here in the Chicago area has the correct thermal fuses and I get them there whenever I need some. Just get one with the exact same rating, cut the old one off, and crimp the new one on...but make sure to replace the clear tubing over the fuse before crimping the second end. Make sure you cover the connections with the tubing and clamp it down to the boiler the way it originally was.
Posted Wed Dec 3, 2008, 5:24pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Espresso Does Not Heat Up - Need help Diagnosing
Yes, I have a Fry's about 20 minutes away from me. I just checked with them and the lowest temp thermal fuse they carry is a 100 Celsius 15amp for 99 cents (100 celsius = 212 farenheit). This temperature is quite a bit different than the 152 degree fuse sold by the partsguru.com and the other two thermal fuses at Fry's are a 104 and 128 celsius are going the wrong direction.
Any thoughts on whether the 100 celsius thermal fuse is okay to use?
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