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Main
Date: 06 Jun 2006 17:39:46
From: abimer
Subject: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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Hello,
Have been having a problem with my Rancilio Silvia. When it has reached
brew temp and the light goes out, it produces steam rather than hot
water. This sounded like a thermostat problem to me, and indeed it was
the thermostat that was apparently replaced when I took in in for
repair, but now - a week or two later - the same thing is happening.
Has anyone had a similar problem or know of this problem? Am i doing
something wrong? I am careful with refilling the boiler, and not
letting the reservoir run out of water. I read about resetting one of
the thermostats, but this seems to be for problems where the water
doesn't heat up rather than overheating...
Any help will be greatly appreciated,
Cheers,
Paul M.
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Date: 06 Jun 2006 20:25:24
From: Robert
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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Sounds like the thermostat is not opening at the correct temperature
(if at all). This can be tested but don't bother; take it back to the
repair facility & have them do it over until they get it right.
Robert (gives short shrift to cruddy repairmen that do cruddy repairs)
Harmon
abimer wrote:
> Hi Randy, thanks for the reply.
>
> I'd expect that the thermostat would be from Rancilio. The repairers
> are the sole agents for Rancilio in New Zealand, and in fact I've just
> opened her up and the thermostats look like the originals.
>
> Unfortunately, its not a little bit of steam, but a raging torrent.
> Also, when the machine is working properly it just doesn't happen at
> all.
>
> It appears wetter than the steam when purging steam/refilling the
> boiler - as it should - but still very plentiful, probably a similar
> amount of steam. I'm trying to convince myself that I could try and
> live with it except that I don't reckon I'd have enough control on the
> brew temp.
>
> I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
> anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
> in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
> gone for the second shot...
>
>
> Paul M.
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Date: 06 Jun 2006 19:18:20
From: abimer
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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Hi Randy, thanks for the reply.
I'd expect that the thermostat would be from Rancilio. The repairers
are the sole agents for Rancilio in New Zealand, and in fact I've just
opened her up and the thermostats look like the originals.
Unfortunately, its not a little bit of steam, but a raging torrent.
Also, when the machine is working properly it just doesn't happen at
all.
It appears wetter than the steam when purging steam/refilling the
boiler - as it should - but still very plentiful, probably a similar
amount of steam. I'm trying to convince myself that I could try and
live with it except that I don't reckon I'd have enough control on the
brew temp.
I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
gone for the second shot...
Paul M.
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Date: 06 Jun 2006 22:09:02
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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"abimer" <paumcb12@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
>anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
>in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
>gone for the second shot...
>
Unless you have the steam switch on (or it is faulty and going on by
itself) there is nothing that you would or could do to cause this
unless you are not refilling the boiler after using the steam
function.
You could do a temp test (details on my website) but with all that
steam coming out it would be fairly pointless. I do have a wiring
diagram on my website of Silvia showing all possible states of
operation that might be of assistence in helping you understand how
Silvia works.
Randy "steamy info" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 06 Jun 2006 18:47:10
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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It could very well be a bad thermostat.
If they didn't use a genuine Ranciliop thermostat it could cause this.
Other brands, even though marked with the same temperature, can have a
much wider dead band and can create more steam than would be desired.
Or it could be that they installed a steam thermostat in place of the
brew thermostat.
Some small amount of steam can be normal, particularly if the machine
has been idling for a time.
there are worse things than a Hot Silvia! ;-)
Randy "like a cold Shirley" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
"abimer" <paumcb12@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>Hello,
>
>Have been having a problem with my Rancilio Silvia. When it has reached
>brew temp and the light goes out, it produces steam rather than hot
>water. This sounded like a thermostat problem to me, and indeed it was
>the thermostat that was apparently replaced when I took in in for
>repair, but now - a week or two later - the same thing is happening.
>
>Has anyone had a similar problem or know of this problem? Am i doing
>something wrong? I am careful with refilling the boiler, and not
>letting the reservoir run out of water. I read about resetting one of
>the thermostats, but this seems to be for problems where the water
>doesn't heat up rather than overheating...
>
>Any help will be greatly appreciated,
>
>Cheers,
>Paul M.
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Date: 07 Jun 2006 05:47:55
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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<<the steam switch on (or it is faulty and going on by itself) >>
The chances of the steam switch on the front turning ITSELF off and on
are INFINETESIMAL.
Dave
77 silvias
Randy G. wrote:
> "abimer" <paumcb12@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
> >anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
> >in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
> >gone for the second shot...
> >
>
> Unless you have the steam switch on (or it is faulty and going on by
> itself) there is nothing that you would or could do to cause this
> unless you are not refilling the boiler after using the steam
> function.
>
> You could do a temp test (details on my website) but with all that
> steam coming out it would be fairly pointless. I do have a wiring
> diagram on my website of Silvia showing all possible states of
> operation that might be of assistence in helping you understand how
> Silvia works.
>
>
> Randy "steamy info" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 07 Jun 2006 05:45:16
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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Phil is right. 100C would be best to avoid overshoot, especially at
220v.
all of these thermos have a wide dead band.
"deadband" -- the temp. area above and below the nominal rateing that
the 'stat does not know about.
Dave
Phil Paintin wrote:
> abimer wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> >
> > I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
> > anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
> > in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
> > gone for the second shot...
> >
>
> Note that even though you have refilled the boiler after steaming, it
> will still retain excess heat which can throw the brew temperature for
> a while. When making milk drinks in quick succession, it's better to
> brew all the espressi first, and then do all the milk frothing.
>
> If you do return it to the dodgy repairer, ask him to ensure that the
> replacement 'stat is the 100=B0C unit. Early silvias were fitted with a
> 110=B0C stat which produced excess steam. Is NZ 240V ? If so this is
> particularly important since the overshoot can be greater, as noted in
> my recent (and very popular) thread.
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Date: 07 Jun 2006 01:21:44
From: Phil Paintin
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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abimer wrote:
[snip]
>
> I suppose they'll just have to repair it again, but I wonder if there's
> anything I could be doing that could cause it. I was making two coffees
> in quick succession. It made one coffee fine, frothed the milk, and was
> gone for the second shot...
>
Note that even though you have refilled the boiler after steaming, it
will still retain excess heat which can throw the brew temperature for
a while. When making milk drinks in quick succession, it's better to
brew all the espressi first, and then do all the milk frothing.
If you do return it to the dodgy repairer, ask him to ensure that the
replacement 'stat is the 100=B0C unit. Early silvias were fitted with a
110=B0C stat which produced excess steam. Is NZ 240V ? If so this is
particularly important since the overshoot can be greater, as noted in
my recent (and very popular) thread.
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Date: 06 Jun 2006 22:57:44
From: abimer
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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That's a useful new addition to your website, Randy. Cheers.
Still not really too sure where it's all going wrong. I like the idea
of working this one out for myself, but I fear I don't have that sort
of affinity for electrons...
Thanks, Robert for your input. Indeed, it looks like I'll be taking it
back on account of an arsed repair job.
Cheers,
Paul "Unwilling Conductor" M.
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Date: 07 Jun 2006 08:23:29
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Slightly unusual Silvia problem
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"abimer" <paumcb12@gmail.com > wrote:
>That's a useful new addition to your website, Randy. Cheers.
>
>Still not really too sure where it's all going wrong. I like the idea
>of working this one out for myself, but I fear I don't have that sort
>of affinity for electrons...
>
The thermostat is one of the easiet repairs on Silvia, but if you are
not comfortable around electricity and/or the machine is under
warranty it is best to let them do it.
>Thanks, Robert for your input. Indeed, it looks like I'll be taking it
>back on account of an arsed repair job.
>
The thermostats are marked as to their tyemperature rating, so if the
correct one was used then it is not really the repair facility's
fault, unless they didn't test it. Even then, it would be reasonable
for them to assume that the thermostat was good when new.
Randy "PID solves it" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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