Lelit Mara X OPV Mod – Improved updated version (2022)
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It looks like the tube coming off of the OPV is different. It appears to have a 90 degree connector which most likely prevents the hose from kinking against the inside of the top cover. Is this a separate connector or part of the hose?
finally (14months after receiving the brass) i’ve done it 😁 The instructions are great thanks @Doram although i’ve no idea how you’d do it without removing the panel separating the water tray from the main part of the machine - that’d take some seriously scraped knuckels.
Did a couple of coffee-less runs and a few back-flushes and don’t seem to have any leaks so very happy!
siliconslave although i’ve no idea how you’d do it without removing the panel separating the water tray from the main part of the machine - that’d take some seriously scraped knuckels.
I have done it (twice) without removing the back panel and my knuckles are fine :-). 14 months is indeed a long time to be sitting on the fence, lol. I hope you will find it worthwhile to be on the other side.
logjames It looks like the tube coming off of the OPV is different. It appears to have a 90 degree connector which most likely prevents the hose from kinking against the inside of the top cover. Is this a separate connector or part of the hose?
Maybe upload a photo of the connector/hose you are referring to?
Had a leak with the brass connector but reused the plastic one and seems to work! I hear the different sound and sounds of water but can’t find any leaks so seem to be good! Thanks!
It seems like maybe my hoses from the boiler are shorter? I had to bend one of them, so you think that’s ok?
Hello coffee lovers.
This is my first comment on this forum. Humbly I would like to point some issues about this mode. Firstly I haven’t tried that and I am not willing to. Because as a marine engineer I can say that the pump will not be happy to work with the new piping system as aspect of fluid dynamics. The more fittings, valves, connectors, elbows etc. etc. cause more friction, energy loss by heat. They create more critical issues on the suction sides of the pumps, as like cavitation.
In our case, with new suction piping system, suction head of the pump decreases and pump may suffer to suck water properly compering with the previous original pipings because the OPV not all time keeps open, not feeds water continuously. In conculation we may obtain non-uniform flow and in long term shorter life of the pump, those effect the cup quality obviously. In my opinion the best option of this mod is re-routing the opv exhaust directly to the tank, instead of the pump suction.
I just wanted to share my thoughts, not advising any thing to anyone. Best regards to all.
Odie Welcome to the forum….
With espresso machine vibration pumps, it has been common practice over the years to route expansion valve output back to the inlet of the pump. many manufacturers have done this, some have routed back to the tank as you suggest. Both solutions appear to work fine.
Odie umbly I would like to point some issues about this mode. Firstly I haven’t tried that and I am not willing to.
Lelit Insider released a new video showing the old and new water circuit, and instructions on how to change the old routing to the new (this mod).
Hi,
I just did this and have a small leak from the plastic three way connection that feeds the pump. Pretty sure it is coming from the connection to the pump with the shortest bit of silicone pipe.
I have dried it all off, it thankfully was only a few drops.
what is the best way to fix this please?
Also when I opened the machine I noticed that the connection from overflow valve had a bit of sediment, is this anything to worry about? I bought the machine second hand and know it was descaled about a year ago- the seller said only Tesco water used- I feel they are trustworthy. Photo of sediment attached.
Thanks!
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PC202 - not sure what that picture is… but the only way to fix a leak is to make sure it’s water tight. If the plastic three way valve is cracked, then replace it with a copper one. Try emailing lelit (care at lelit.com) or try to source the three way connector elsewhere.
As for the sediment… Ashbeck will scale. It has calcium in it.
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MediumRoastSteam thanks for your reply. I understand, I have ordered some more of the hosing. So will try that, fingers crossed.
Thanks for the info on the calcium in the water, that makes sense.
ps: On the off chance you read my previous reply- sorry I didn’t catch your drift- I was very tired.
Small update in case anyone runs into the same issue, the hose connected to the pump had a slow leak after this mod- I suspect I was a bit too keen separating the hoses from the connectors- new silicone hosing fixed the issue. I bought the hose from Amazon and only suffered one morning without espresso 😂