CAPRI Senior Member Joined: 4 Oct 2007 Posts: 68 Location: PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: EXPOBAR BREWTUS II Grinder: Mazzer Mini (Stepless/Doser) Drip: Cuisinart
Posted Thu Mar 5, 2009, 1:41am Subject: Rotarty Pump Mod to Expobar Brewtus II
Well, I'v been gone awhile, but I will tell you that I finally got the mod done to my Expobar Brewtus II.
I took the plunge and sent my machine off last fall and though I'v been super busy (travel, family stuff) I hav my machine back..I hav been using it for over a month now..and though I hav issues (and can't get a response from WLL, oh wait, I got hung up on by some smart-mouthed kid working for them too) I will say that overall I am happy with the result. The reason I am happy is because of the work of DON, but who no longer is there at Whole Latte Love..and I can't get a response about the continued hissing issue I keep experiencing..I wish he were still there, because no one will return my call(s) nor forward my messages to any person in charge.
It all started last summer with a safety valve that was leaking...after being sent the 'new' part (which was the wrong one) and then a bunch of lame excuses as to why the wrong part was sent, I finally was sent the right part, and after I replaced it, it still leaked...grr.. I was fed up and wondering if something was wrong with my machine so I boxed the whole thing up and sent it in for a general tune up, cleaning, a direct (john guest) connect (goes to a 5 gallon jug under the counter), and the vibrator pump changed out to a rotary pump.
The rotary pump takes some getting used to! I thought it would be a ~lot~ less noisy, too...but it is much faster, and while the pressure will be different, I hav to tell you I recommend this modification. Be prepared to spend $500, but instead of paying over $2K for a Expobar Brewtus 3, you can get your EB2 mod'd and just like new for a lot less.
Make sure you are on top of it though, the added fast-ness means a bit more pressure, which isn't a bad thing, really.
I would recommend the upgrade from vibrator pump to rotary pump, just make sure you are careful about who does it.
Jmanespresso Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2,108 Location: Westchester NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II Grinder: Compak K10 - Vario Vac Pot: Yama-SY5/SY8/TCA5 Drip: V60, Beehouse, CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Thu Mar 5, 2009, 11:18am Subject: Re: Rotarty Pump Mod to Expobar Brewtus II
Thats a really cool mod you did. I absolutley love the brewtus line.
So, more or less, you have a BrewtusIII-R, give or take a few minor differences. PID looks different I think, but not too much else. Performace they're probably pretty close to each other.
How do you like the smoother ramp to pressure over the vibe pump. If i understand it, the rotary pump doesnt ramp nearly as hard as a vibe pump, so coupled with the pre-infusion of the E-61, Im guessing shot quality can greatly improve with this upgrade. Could be wrong though.
Kudos, Jeff
Follow Your Bliss
Coffee makes your constantly overcome your prejudices and re-evaluate your own "received wisdoms" when it comes to judging cup flavors. -Tom Owen, SweetMarias
Posted Fri Mar 6, 2009, 9:56am Subject: Re: Rotarty Pump Mod to Expobar Brewtus II
Jmanespresso Said:
How do you like the smoother ramp to pressure over the vibe pump. If i understand it, the rotary pump doesnt ramp nearly as hard as a vibe pump, so coupled with the pre-infusion of the E-61, Im guessing shot quality can greatly improve with this upgrade. Could be wrong though.
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