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Main
Date: 09 May 2007 23:49:44
From: SCD
Subject: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
when she quit heating.
But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
ticking sound.
Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
ticking and no coffee!
I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
a diagnosis for me.
I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
same!
SusanD
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Date: 11 May 2007 15:51:27
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
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On May 11, 2:41 pm, Danny <d...@nospam.gaggia-espresso.com > wrote:
> Dave b wrote:
> > If you want to discuss this issue, Kurt -- feel free to call me, or
> > write to the gmail address, etc.
>
> Can't you just discuss it here? You were asked a valid question
> regarding your point of view and I'm sure many would be interested to
> know why your view contradicts many others?
>
> --
> Regards, Danny
>
> http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
> (apparently bad grammar but I like it that way...)
when i expressed it, i was flamed, derided and ridiculed. got tired
of it.
anyone who wants my personal POV on this topic can call or write.
let's see: RG is back to calling me an idiot and a thief?
feh!
dave
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Date: 11 May 2007 09:26:47
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 6:15 pm, Steve <n...@use.net > wrote:
> On 10 May 2007 14:26:50 -0700, Dave b <davebobbl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >and the name calling!
>
> It's not name calling if it's true, Dave.
> You are an idiot.
thank you once again, Lars, to you and rg for elevating the level of
discourse on this group,
regards, Dave
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Date: 11 May 2007 19:58:48
From: Steve
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On 11 May 2007 09:26:47 -0700, Dave b <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote:
>On May 10, 6:15 pm, Steve <n...@use.net> wrote:
>> On 10 May 2007 14:26:50 -0700, Dave b <davebobbl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> It's not name calling if it's true, Dave.
>> You are an idiot.
>thank you once again, Lars, to you and rg for elevating the level of
>discourse on this group,
You're welcome.
I look forward to your idiotic "discourse" on back-flushing.
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Date: 10 May 2007 19:55:41
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
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thanx lars
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Date: 10 May 2007 14:26:50
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 1:32 pm, old_...@comcast.net wrote:
> > and don't backflush a silvia
>
> Other than not to void the warranty, why are you against backflushing
> Silvia?
>
> Kurt
Whew! 'ol Randy! lotsa energy expended there!
and the name calling! a response all out of proportion to the
comment. discussing it further here may cause rg to have a CVA.
If you want to discuss this issue, Kurt -- feel free to call me, or
write to the gmail address, etc.
and BTW, I don't get that many silvias in for repair. but LOTS of
Gaggias and Saecos
So the "economic motive" is just absurd.
regards
Dave
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Date: 11 May 2007 19:41:55
From: Danny
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
Dave b wrote:
> If you want to discuss this issue, Kurt -- feel free to call me, or
> write to the gmail address, etc.
Can't you just discuss it here? You were asked a valid question
regarding your point of view and I'm sure many would be interested to
know why your view contradicts many others?
--
Regards, Danny
http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
(apparently bad grammar but I like it that way...)
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Date: 10 May 2007 22:15:48
From: Steve
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
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On 10 May 2007 14:26:50 -0700, Dave b <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote:
>and the name calling!
It's not name calling if it's true, Dave.
You are an idiot.
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Date: 10 May 2007 13:44:42
From:
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 2:27 pm, Randy G.
> Anyone who rails against backflushing any espresso machine with a
> 3-way valve does not understand how an espresso machine works and/or
> gains a financial benefit from failed machines... Or is just an idiot.
> Maybe all three..
Randy,
I do backflush regularly (both plain water and detergent) so you are
preaching to the choir here. I was asking because I have heard many
say "Never backflush Silvia, it'll void the warranty, Rancilio advises
against it, etc" but none of them have given a **REAL** reason that
was LOGICAL. Since DaveB is of the DBS (Don't Backflush Silvia) group
I was asking to see if he had reason.
Kurt
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Date: 10 May 2007 14:19:04
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
old_442@comcast.net wrote:
>On May 10, 2:27 pm, Randy G.
>> Anyone who rails against backflushing any espresso machine with a
>> 3-way valve does not understand how an espresso machine works and/or
>> gains a financial benefit from failed machines... Or is just an idiot.
>> Maybe all three..
>
>Randy,
>I do backflush regularly (both plain water and detergent) so you are
>preaching to the choir here. I was asking because I have heard many
>say "Never backflush Silvia, it'll void the warranty, Rancilio advises
>against it, etc" but none of them have given a **REAL** reason that
>was LOGICAL. Since DaveB is of the DBS (Don't Backflush Silvia) group
>I was asking to see if he had reason.
>
>Kurt
Please do not take my comments personally. I apologize if they
appeared to be so. They were not at all directed at you in any way. I
was responding to your post only because it was the one that showed up
in my reader as opposed to the ones that were filtered.
The 'do not backflush' subject has been so thoroughly covered and his
comments so thoroughly discounted that it amazes me that he continues
to spread this idiocy in the face of so much evidence diametrically
opposed to his opinion..
Randy "causes one to wonder" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 10 May 2007 10:32:15
From:
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
> and don't backflush a silvia
>
Other than not to void the warranty, why are you against backflushing
Silvia?
Kurt
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Date: 10 May 2007 11:27:49
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
old_442@comcast.net wrote:
>> and don't backflush a silvia
>>
>
>Other than not to void the warranty, why are you against backflushing
>Silvia?
>
Anyone who rails against backflushing any espresso machine with a
3-way valve does not understand how an espresso machine works and/or
gains a financial benefit from failed machines... Or is just an idiot.
Maybe all three..
These people (and actually, this person since there is only one person
here who has regularly posted against backflushing a Silvia) should be
ignored. If they read this article and disagree with its content:
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html
then, IMO, it is quite clear to me that they have little or no
understanding as to how an espresso machine works and they have no
business working on or even owning an espresso machine.
If backflushing voids the warranty of a 3-way equipped machine then in
the same way simply using an espresso machine and choking it one time
also voids the warranty. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that anyone can
tell the difference between a machine that failed during a backflush
from one that failed from a choked shot. The only exceptions are:
1) you sent the machine in for service with the backflush disc or
blind filter still in place
-or-
2) You inform the warranty service folks you were backflushing when
the failure occurred
-or-
3) the machine's parts are still full of backflushing detergent.
If you are told that backflushing voids the warranty I suggest you
take your business elsewhere or find a person who knows something
about espresso machines to service your machine.
Randy
"ignorance is one thing... stupidity is another matter all together"
G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 10 May 2007 09:35:23
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 12:08 pm, SCD <s...@gmail.com > wrote:
> Wow, I have been doing it "backwards" for two years.
>
> I hate cold coffee so much that I have been steaming milk first,
> turning off the steam heater for 30 sec or so, then brewing.
>
> But, if I get her up again, I'll switch.
>
> I"m going to run some tests and answer other questions posted.
>
> Thanks,
>
> SusanD
>
> On Thu, 10 May 2007 06:37:58 -0400, Moka Java
>
> <rtwatc...@fishyahoo.com> wrote:
> >SCD wrote:
> >> I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
> >> thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
> >> when she quit heating.
>
> >> But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
> >> ticking sound.
>
> >> Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
> >> milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
> >> ticking and no coffee!
>
> >> I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
>
> >> Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
> >> a diagnosis for me.
>
> >> I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
> >> same!
>
> >> SusanD
>
> >I'm sure you'll get your Silvia up and running with the help of the
> >machine savvy people here. But did I read your 3rd paragraph right? Do
> >you steam before you brew? In my experience with the Silvia once you
> >heat the boiler to steaming temperature it takes quite some time to get
> >it to stabilize back down to a reasonable brewing temperature. Like 40
> >minutes or so.
>
> >R "meddling over hot metal" TF
and don't backflush a silvia
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Date: 10 May 2007 09:34:20
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 12:11 pm, SCD <s...@gmail.com > wrote:
> Yes! Water pumps fine out steam valve - not the pump.
>
> Is the solenoid coil something that I can replace myself?
>
> TIA,
>
> SusanD
>
> On Thu, 10 May 2007 07:05:06 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
>
> <alanf...@coffeeco.com.au> wrote:
> >What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
> >Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
Highly unlikely it is the coil.
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Date: 10 May 2007 05:15:41
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 6:37 am, Moka Java <rtwatc...@fishyahoo.com > wrote:
> SCD wrote:
> > I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
> > thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
> > when she quit heating.
>
> > But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
> > ticking sound.
>
> > Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
> > milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
> > ticking and no coffee!
>
> > I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
>
> > Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
> > a diagnosis for me.
>
> > I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
> > same!
>
> > SusanD
>
> I'm sure you'll get your Silvia up and running with the help of the
> machine savvy people here. But did I read your 3rd paragraph right? Do
> you steam before you brew? In my experience with the Silvia once you
> heat the boiler to steaming temperature it takes quite some time to get
> it to stabilize back down to a reasonable brewing temperature. Like 40
> minutes or so.
>
> R "meddling over hot metal" TF
Brew before Steam -- always.
Will it pump water out the steam wand?
Pump failure at this age of unit is highly unlikely. poss. sticky 3
way valve. MANY recent problems with this valve on recent silvias --
usually occur when brand new.
call -- 910 616 0980
Dave
239 silvias
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Date: 10 May 2007 05:14:31
From: Dave b
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
On May 10, 6:37 am, Moka Java <rtwatc...@fishyahoo.com > wrote:
> SCD wrote:
> > I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
> > thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
> > when she quit heating.
>
> > But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
> > ticking sound.
>
> > Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
> > milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
> > ticking and no coffee!
>
> > I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
>
> > Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
> > a diagnosis for me.
>
> > I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
> > same!
>
> > SusanD
>
> I'm sure you'll get your Silvia up and running with the help of the
> machine savvy people here. But did I read your 3rd paragraph right? Do
> you steam before you brew? In my experience with the Silvia once you
> heat the boiler to steaming temperature it takes quite some time to get
> it to stabilize back down to a reasonable brewing temperature. Like 40
> minutes or so.
>
> R "meddling over hot metal" TF
Brew before Steam -- always.
Will it pump water out the steam wand?
Pump failure at this age of unit is highly unlikely. poss. sticky 3
way valve. MANY recent problems with this valve on recent silvias --
usually occur when brand new.
call -- 910 616 0980
Dave
239 silvias
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Date: 10 May 2007 06:37:58
From: Moka Java
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
SCD wrote:
> I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
> thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
> when she quit heating.
>
> But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
> ticking sound.
>
> Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
> milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
> ticking and no coffee!
>
> I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
>
> Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
> a diagnosis for me.
>
> I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
> same!
>
> SusanD
>
I'm sure you'll get your Silvia up and running with the help of the
machine savvy people here. But did I read your 3rd paragraph right? Do
you steam before you brew? In my experience with the Silvia once you
heat the boiler to steaming temperature it takes quite some time to get
it to stabilize back down to a reasonable brewing temperature. Like 40
minutes or so.
R "meddling over hot metal" TF
|
| | |
Date: 10 May 2007 09:08:56
From: SCD
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
Wow, I have been doing it "backwards" for two years.
I hate cold coffee so much that I have been steaming milk first,
turning off the steam heater for 30 sec or so, then brewing.
But, if I get her up again, I'll switch.
I"m going to run some tests and answer other questions posted.
Thanks,
SusanD
On Thu, 10 May 2007 06:37:58 -0400, Moka Java
<rtwatches@fishyahoo.com > wrote:
>SCD wrote:
>> I thought I had made my Ms Sylvia happy about 6 months ago (with
>> thanks to this group for advice) by giving her two new thermostats
>> when she quit heating.
>>
>> But this morning, just at the end of a session, I heard an odd loud
>> ticking sound.
>>
>> Tonight when I heated her up for my evening brew... she steamed the
>> milk perfectly, but when I pushed the coffee brew switch - loud
>> ticking and no coffee!
>>
>> I'm guessing it's a pump failure?
>>
>> Is this something I can replace myself or does someone want to hazard
>> a diagnosis for me.
>>
>> I pulled out the old French Press for my coffee, but it just isn't the
>> same!
>>
>> SusanD
>>
>
>I'm sure you'll get your Silvia up and running with the help of the
>machine savvy people here. But did I read your 3rd paragraph right? Do
>you steam before you brew? In my experience with the Silvia once you
>heat the boiler to steaming temperature it takes quite some time to get
>it to stabilize back down to a reasonable brewing temperature. Like 40
>minutes or so.
>
>R "meddling over hot metal" TF
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| |
Date: 10 May 2007 07:05:06
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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| | |
Date: 10 May 2007 09:11:51
From: SCD
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
Yes! Water pumps fine out steam valve - not the pump.
Is the solenoid coil something that I can replace myself?
TIA,
SusanD
On Thu, 10 May 2007 07:05:06 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
<alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au > wrote:
>What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
>Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
|
| | | |
Date: 10 May 2007 09:33:37
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
If water is pumping out the hot water wand using the middle of the
three left-side switches, then you most likely have one of three
problems:
1) The 3-way valve is either faulty of needs cleaning. it is
relatively easy to disassemble and clean ( instructions at
http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/). At this time I would
also ask if you have been backflushing regularly? On my website
(http://www.espressomyespresso.com/) you will find the instructions on
the hows and whys of backflushing
(http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html), and why it is
necessary with any machine equipped with a 3-way valve or 3-way
function.
2) The other 3-way related problem is a coil failure. Using an ohm
meter, you should get near zero resistance in one direction and
near-zero continuity in the other. If it conducts in both direction or
has no continuity in either direction the coils is bad and needs to be
replaced.
3) If the pump does not run at all when the brew switch is turned on,
it is possible (although less likely) that the brew switch is faulty
or one of the connections on it is loose.
Let us know what you find....
Randy
"how do male elephants find female elephants in the tall grass?"
G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
SCD <scd@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>
>Yes! Water pumps fine out steam valve - not the pump.
>
>Is the solenoid coil something that I can replace myself?
>
>TIA,
>
>SusanD
>
>On Thu, 10 May 2007 07:05:06 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
><alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au> wrote:
>
>>What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
>>Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
|
| | | | |
Date: 03 Jul 2007 10:29:13
From: SCD
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
Hi Randy,
I wanted to write (belatedly) and thank all for the advice and also to
report that following the Disassemble and cleaning instructions on the
~jenkins site did the trick!
After taking everything apart, cleaning well with soft toothbrush and
Coffee Cleaner and also testing the ohm resistance (it passed the
test) and re-assembling - my Ms Sylvia is back in business!!
There was a lot of coffee buildup in the inner workings!
And I'm Brewing before steaming now, too!
Thanks All!
SusanD
On Thu, 10 May 2007 09:33:37 -0700, Randy G. <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com >
wrote:
>If water is pumping out the hot water wand using the middle of the
>three left-side switches, then you most likely have one of three
>problems:
>
>1) The 3-way valve is either faulty of needs cleaning. it is
>relatively easy to disassemble and clean ( instructions at
>http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/). At this time I would
>also ask if you have been backflushing regularly? On my website
>(http://www.espressomyespresso.com/) you will find the instructions on
>the hows and whys of backflushing
>(http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html), and why it is
>necessary with any machine equipped with a 3-way valve or 3-way
>function.
>
>2) The other 3-way related problem is a coil failure. Using an ohm
>meter, you should get near zero resistance in one direction and
>near-zero continuity in the other. If it conducts in both direction or
>has no continuity in either direction the coils is bad and needs to be
>replaced.
>
>3) If the pump does not run at all when the brew switch is turned on,
>it is possible (although less likely) that the brew switch is faulty
>or one of the connections on it is loose.
>
>Let us know what you find....
>
>Randy
> "how do male elephants find female elephants in the tall grass?"
> G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
>
>
>
>SCD <scd@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Yes! Water pumps fine out steam valve - not the pump.
>>
>>Is the solenoid coil something that I can replace myself?
>>
>>TIA,
>>
>>SusanD
>>
>>On Thu, 10 May 2007 07:05:06 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
>><alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au> wrote:
>>
>>>What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
>>>Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
|
| | | | |
Date: 10 May 2007 12:24:16
From: SCD
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
Thanks, I'll check your web site.
I have done cleaning by taking apart (not as often as I should
though), but I've never backflushed - I kept reading OK or NOT OK and
so haven't done so. But I see your comments later on.
I will say that the ticking noise that my Syliva suddenly started
making is loud - and began very suddenly, so I suspect it is not a
cleaning problem as I'd expect that to come on more gradually?
But I'll sure get it a try first - and then I'll head to the good
electronics store in Berkeley and get an ohm meter, I don't have one
of those around the house - LOL!
Meanwhile, French press this AM - not bad, but boring.
And, I suspect when this is all over and I BREW before I steam I'll be
getting even better espresso!
Thanks!
SusanD
On Thu, 10 May 2007 09:33:37 -0700, Randy G. <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com >
wrote:
>If water is pumping out the hot water wand using the middle of the
>three left-side switches, then you most likely have one of three
>problems:
>
>1) The 3-way valve is either faulty of needs cleaning. it is
>relatively easy to disassemble and clean ( instructions at
>http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/). At this time I would
>also ask if you have been backflushing regularly? On my website
>(http://www.espressomyespresso.com/) you will find the instructions on
>the hows and whys of backflushing
>(http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html), and why it is
>necessary with any machine equipped with a 3-way valve or 3-way
>function.
>
>2) The other 3-way related problem is a coil failure. Using an ohm
>meter, you should get near zero resistance in one direction and
>near-zero continuity in the other. If it conducts in both direction or
>has no continuity in either direction the coils is bad and needs to be
>replaced.
>
>3) If the pump does not run at all when the brew switch is turned on,
>it is possible (although less likely) that the brew switch is faulty
>or one of the connections on it is loose.
>
>Let us know what you find....
>
>Randy
> "how do male elephants find female elephants in the tall grass?"
> G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
>
>
>
>SCD <scd@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Yes! Water pumps fine out steam valve - not the pump.
>>
>>Is the solenoid coil something that I can replace myself?
>>
>>TIA,
>>
>>SusanD
>>
>>On Thu, 10 May 2007 07:05:06 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
>><alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au> wrote:
>>
>>>What happens when you open the steam valve and turn on the hot water switch?
>>>Problem sounds more like solenoid coil failure to me.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 10 May 2007 12:28:04
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
SCD <scd@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>But I'll sure get it a try first - and then I'll head to the good
>electronics store in Berkeley and get an ohm meter, I don't have one
>of those around the house - LOL!
>
Inexpensive ohm meters can be had at places like Sears or Radio Shack.
The later has (had?) one that folds into its own clamshell case that
makes it handy for storage.
Randy "incontinuity can be a problem" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 11 May 2007 15:57:14
From: Harry Moos
Subject: Re: Miss Sylvia acting up!
|
I wouldn't recommend the RS folding meter. I broke the case on mine trying
to get it open, and it is a pain to close. The wires have to be folded just
right to get them to fit in the case. Works fine, though, after you get it
open.
"Randy G." <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com > wrote in message
news:mds64310du0qmspu069jm8ojghd4n4s260@4ax.com...
>>
> Inexpensive ohm meters can be had at places like Sears or Radio Shack.
> The later has (had?) one that folds into its own clamshell case that
> makes it handy for storage.
|
|
