Elizabeth blowing fuses

Spookym

My Elizabeth has started blowing fuses. Yesterday the machine was switched on (by family) and then there was a pop. This apparently wasnt immediate but early on in warm up. I changed power cord fuse and then it switched on and it worked and continued being ok for 3 subsequent coffee sessions. This morning, turned on, went pop straight away. Changed fuse, and popped again. I took off the case and no moisture or anything obvious looking. Another fuse and when turned on a loud pop and wisp of smoke from the main power switch on the machine. The machine was one of he early ones in July 2020.

So the question is, could it just be the main on off switch that needs replacing? or is it likely to be something else further down the chain causing a problem? and any suggestions for how to troubleshoot very gratefully received!

On a side note had to dust off my europiccola that has been sitting in a cupboard since the Elizabeths arrival. That was a real shock the the system… and it seems so small!

thanks

DavecUK

Spookym What type of breaker do you have in the fusebox…I do realise you are talking about the power cord fuse.

What rating was the fuse you took out and what rated fuse did you replace it with. Making a 100% assumption you are UK based.

Spookym

DavecUK Hi Dave. Yes UK based. 13amp fuses used. Fusebox breaker is resettable but not RCD I think (if that makes sense). Didn’t affect the fusebox. thx

MediumRoastSteam

Spookym - Open the machine. Check that there are no leaks, specially in that 4-way connector right at the top of the group solenoid - if it leaks, it shortens the solenoid, and the fuse blows. Don’t ask me how I know this….

DavecUK

Spookym You are talking about this switch, where the smoke came from? @MediumRoastSteam suggestion seems a good one and these switches are easily available.

Spookym

DavecUK Yep thats the one. Have ordered one from BB, so hopefully just that and no other damage done.

DavecUK

Spookym Check the power plug receptacle on the machine as well!

Spookym

DavecUK So checked around the power lead input and everything looked ok. Fitted new on/off switch, switched it on and there was a crack, and fuse blown again. This time it looked like it was coming from the area of the steam boiler. Removed the two thicker red cables from the steam boiler, tried again and same result. Machine has been sitting around cover and back off so doesnt seem to be any water around….

Spookym

And just looking again, it looks like one of the white cables connected to the steam boiler (sorry not sure of what part it is!) is discoloured like something may be happening

Spookym

seems like this is definitely involved in some way! Worked out it is a steam boiler safety thermostat. Could it be the problem? or just a problem somewhere else making this happen?

DavecUK

Spookym seems like this is definitely involved in some way! Worked out it is a steam boiler safety thermostat. Could it be the problem? or just a problem somewhere else making this happen?

Almost certainly the problem…I’d get another one.

Spookym

DavecUK Finding one is the issue! Spoke to BB who aid they would look if they had one, but if not it would be 2 weeks from Lelit. Cant find one online. Is there a reason that there are 2 of them? Wondered if as a temporary measure it would be possible to bypass the broken one (assume by just linking the two white connectors?) and rely on the remaining one. Obvs if this is a bad idea I will have to wait!

MediumRoastSteam

Spookym - Did you try these guys?

https://lamacchinadelcaffe.com/en/product/?termostato-sicurezza-165--lelit-cod--mc521

Or even care@lelit.com?

Not sure what’s the policy now with Brexit, but back in the day they were brilliant. I actually received parts very soon after chatting to them (couple of days).

DavecUK

Spookym 2 of them is belt and braces, you could bypass the failed one and this would immediately confirm whether the failure was the result of a faut, or the cause of the fault, Most machines only have one safety stat.

If it’s just held flat to the boiler by a screw, you can use any screw down thermostat, even one for 2 screws , as long as it’s base is touching the boiler.

Spookym

DavecUK Bypassed the trashed thermostat and working again! Will source a new part but at least less of a pressure to get it quickly now. Thanks a lot for help and comments.

Spookym

I have just done a longer test getting up to temp and seems like I have a few leaks around the steam boiler that could well have led to thermostat failing. It seems like pretty much all of the quick connection fittings are leaking slightly from where the pipes insert.

Do the washers or whatever in them have lifespan?

Can I do anything to stop the leaks or do they need replacing?

Guess the lesson may be to do an occasional test of getting up to temperature with the lid off to check everything is ok as didnt notice a change in noise or any water around the machine. Unless the leaks were just caused by moving the machine around to sort the thermostat problem.. who knows!

DavecUK

Spookym I have just done a longer test getting up to temp and seems like I have a few leaks around the steam boiler that could well have led to thermostat failing. It seems like pretty much all of the quick connection fittings are leaking slightly from where the pipes insert.

Do the washers or whatever in them have lifespan?

Can I do anything to stop the leaks or do they need replacing?

Usually it is water on the limit stats that cause them to arc and fail like that
The O rings in the connectors have a lifespan and the connectors that also swivel are more prone to leaks
Try and remove the tubes, dab a bit of Moloykote 111 on the outside of the tubes and reinsert them. They are John Guest type fittings (you can look up how to properly remove and reinsert…so you can avoid the teeth putting longitudinal scratches in them (for obvious reasons).

I’m making the assumption the machine isn’t very old as I wouldn’t really expect them to leak at the o rings for quite a long time, talking 7-10 years. Perhaps the steam boiler a tad earlier, if it’s on all the time at high temps.