timmeh Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2013 Posts: 5 Location: Netherlands Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Jan 26, 2013, 4:42am Subject: Elekta Nivola Problem
Dear fellow coffee enthousiasts,
As a starting espresso maker but long term coffee lover I bought myself a second hand Elektra Nivola. I hoped my first post on the forum would be something about 'how to make the perfect espresso' but unfortunatly not. The machine seemed to work fine for the last two weeks up until yesterday evening.
I made my girlfriend a cup of espresso and was just preparing the piston for my own cup. During this the machine showed the red 'warming up' light and steam was getting out of the place the piston needs to be placed. I wasn't really paying attention as the machine made some steam like this often during his warming up period (not sure if this is normal).
However this time the amount of steam kept getting more and more and eventually the machine started to sound like a 'steam train'. Eventually I heard a loud sound (like a steam train which releases steam) and I'd shut down the machine. I thought I'll let it cool down and better luck the next day..
Today I wanted to give the machine a second chance and switched it on, immidiatly the power in the kitchen was gone. The circuit breaker in the fuse box of the house switched to off. Now everytime I switch on the machine the main circuit breaker switches off the power in the house..
Not really sure what this could be, faulty thermostat perhaps? That would make sense why it kept making more and more steam?! Maybe someone can tell whats wrong from the attached picture, I do see a green connector to the boiler which has black stuff (melted plastic perhaps) around it..
timmeh Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2013 Posts: 5 Location: Netherlands Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 12:09pm Subject: Re: Elekta Nivola Problem
Would it be safe to disconnect the thermostat and turn on the device to see if the fuse still pops, or do I risk damaging the machine even more? (Would offcourse only turn it on for several seconds or so)
zircote Senior Member Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Valley Forge, PA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Fiorenzato Bricoletta Grinder: Pro M Roaster: Behmoor
Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013, 5:29pm Subject: Re: Elekta Nivola Problem
timmeh It sounds like the heating element has gone bad. Try unplugging the machine from the outlet first and then removing the two leads to the heating element. Plug the machine back in and turn it on. Of course be ready to quickly turn it off. But if the house breaker stays on then it is probably the element. It may have just succumbed to old age and melted a little. That would expose the current to the water in the boiler. A bad thermostat would usually not cause this problem.
timmeh Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2013 Posts: 5 Location: Netherlands Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 9:26am Subject: Re: Elekta Nivola Problem
Thank you for your reply Zircote,
Yesterday I wanted try what you described.
I thought before disconnecting the wire I will (just to make sure that it still pops) test it once more with the cable attached (after not using the machine for 5 days).
As strange as it is, I was perfectly able to make myself an espresso?!
Is this typically an issue that will show up occasionally?
I mean even thought it seems to be working atm (tried making just one cup since), the issue with the amount of steam and such doesn't seem normal to me..
zircote Senior Member Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Valley Forge, PA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Fiorenzato Bricoletta Grinder: Pro M Roaster: Behmoor
Posted Fri Feb 1, 2013, 11:47am Subject: Re: Elekta Nivola Problem
Since you can still get the machine to operate too a degree I would say it is not the heating element at all. It now sounds to me like the temp controller has gone bad. I had this happen on another machine. However, I am not familiar with Nivola control scheme. Does it use a separate controller and thermistor? Or does it use a thermostat, one for hot water and one for steam, ala the Sylvia?
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