Hartford Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Location: LA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: briel
Posted Sat Apr 5, 2008, 8:34am Subject: Problem with my Silvia
I have a Rancillio Silvia with a PID. Recently I've been getting steam coming out of the grouphead for a few seconds before the water kicks in. This doesn't seem to be good or right. Any suggestions on what the problem might be? Thanks.
frcn Senior Member Joined: 23 Dec 2001 Posts: 631 Location: Yankee Hill Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super Grinder: Mazzer Kony, 2Baratzas Vac Pot: Hario, 2 Cory pots, 1 Cory... Drip: Bunn A10 mod for temperature... Roaster: 4Hottops, 1HWP, 1 Gourmet
Posted Sat Apr 5, 2008, 8:54am Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
Back when Silvia came with a 110C. brew thermostat, the steam from the brewhead was a common 'complaint." Now that they lowered it to 100C., cool brew temps are a common complaint.
If you have the PID set to give correct brew temps, then I would not be surprised at a little steam from the water flash boiling (or close to it) when some water is pulled from the brewhead. Check the brew temp at the shower screen as best you can, and to eliminate the problem, before locking the portafilter, bleed a little water until the steam stops. Should take much, and it will help stabilize the brewhead temperature as well. It's like maiing belive that yu have an E-61 machine. ;-)
Posted Sat Apr 5, 2008, 12:59pm Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
Another possibility is that when you have turned your silvia on, the boiler is not full of water. When you turn on silvia, run the pump and open the steam knob. you can stop when there is water coming out as then the boiler is full.
Hartford Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Location: LA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: briel
Posted Sun Apr 6, 2008, 6:36am Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. I think the problem is with my PID. I have it set a 218 F. But lately the reading on the PID has been jumping around. For example, I'm ready to pull a shot at 218, and when I start, the temp reading will jump to 230 F. And a 230 there's like to be a lot of flash steam. So here's my new question: is the problem likely with the PID or with the temp probe, or does it make sense to distinguish between them. Also, where does the Siliva measure temperature and how?
Best, Chris
ps. I'm always careful to purge the air/steam at turn on.
Posted Sun Apr 6, 2008, 6:56pm Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
Define "jump to 230F". When you pull the shot does the temperature go up the entire time and at the end gets to 230 or is the reading going from 218 to 230? You originally said that you get steam...you get this even if your PID is reading 218?
Either way it shouldn't be happening. When I draw a shot the measured temp always goes down a bit from 223 to 208 or so by the end of the shot.
I take it you bought this with the PID already installed. The temperature probe should be on the top of the boiler. If you had someone install it you might want to talk to them. Something seems off. It is possible that there is a calibration issue with the PID or the temp probe is in the wrong place.
There are pics of where the thermoprobe should be put here
Hartford Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Location: LA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: briel
Posted Sun Apr 6, 2008, 9:27pm Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
Dear cbear,
Thanks for the post and the link to the great photos. "Jump to 230" means it goes immediately from 218 all the way up to 230 with steam coming out the brewhead. It then does the usual gradual decline to around 195 as the water starts to flow. So it seems to me that the 218 base reading is likely off. The temperature reading will also sometimes jump around a bit when taking the basket in and out. The temp probe is attached to the top of the boiler as in your photos, but epoxied rather than bolted in. I did buy the machine with the PID already installed. Live and learn. Looks like I should take it out and send it back, no? Or maybe just redo the wiring?
Posted Mon Apr 7, 2008, 3:20am Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
This may be as simple as a setting issue with the PID. What might be happening is that the 218 you are seeing is the temp setting but the actual temperature being read is 230. That's the only way I can see the temp jump straight from 218 to 230. That would explain the steam as well.
What is the PID model? I'm sure that someone here has the same one (I have an aubers). I'd be surprised if the epoxy made a huge difference in temp reading. My understanding is that the PID does have to be calibrated in some way. Perhaps yours isn't. If you lower the temp to 208 will it then jump to 220? If so this might be ok...you'll just have to use a different range to temp surf the beans.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,018 Location: Sausalito,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Mon Apr 7, 2008, 7:00am Subject: Re: Problem with my Silvia
WRT to epoxy TC, I'd prefer a direct connection using a brass ring connector...any amount of epoxy between the TC and the boiler means insulation, and less accuracy. It you have a little slack in the TC wire, this is a quick and easy fix. My next suggestion is to get the manual for your PID model, and recalibrate it...I have the feeling it's calibration is hosed.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 