Alex Duetto II brew boiler reset button?

PeterL

Hi. Problem I had with my Alex is that suddenly yesterday no steam coming out of the steam wand. Had a look inside and found the pipe from the steam boiler hot all the way up to the steam tap and the tap is cold. Conclusion was that something was clogging up the tap. Turned machine off. Disconnected the pipe from the boiler at the tap end and thought I will just switch on the machine for a moment to establish that steam was indeed getting that far and…. whoops, all the electrics went dead. Anyway, I can blow through the tap now, so hopefully the tap will be ok when I get this powered up again. The on / off switch is lit and the front lights try for a second. PID (has at one time already been renewed) is dead. Online I found a video by Chris of Chris’s coffee in the States about this machine and he referred to a red reset button on the brew boiler. Mine is a black T-shaped plastic thing that does not appear to press down. Can anyone tell me if there is a magic reset button to get me fired back up? Tried holding the two PID buttons while turning on, but that did not work. Thanks for your interest. All suggestions gratefully received. Peter

Elcarajillo

The re-set button is for resetting the thermostat if it has overheated. This will be in the middle of the thermostat IF it has one.
When you switched it on did any steam or water exit the tube and contact any electrics ?
Sudden cut off suggests an electrical short to earth.
More information and a photo / vid.

PeterL

Elcarajillo

Hi Elcarajillo,

I don’t think any water came out but it might have done. The pipe I disconnected is immediately above the brew boiler. Now on-off light is on, red brew light at front comes on for a split second then nothing. Seems like the brew boiler trips it out somehow. When I turn the on-off switch off, there is a click coming somewhere from the brew side. Have done the odd repair on this and an old Vivi I have, Bella Barista a long way away from central west London, so had to. Never found anyone in London. You don’t think that black toggle between the two terminals on the brew boiler is some kind of reset? It is exactly where the red button is on Chris Coffee video. I think the only thing I have done on this machine is replace something on top of the brew boiler a couple of years ago. PID told me what the fault was. My PID now is dead but the black block piece that sits on it warms up still. I just tried uploading photos from my phone but haven’t worked that out yet. Not much to see anyway. Thanks for replying.

Elcarajillo

As I said initially, the ‘reset’ button only resets the thermostat on that boiler (not the whole system).
From a steam boiler tap problem to a brew boiler problem indicates possibly more than one problem.
If it has not been serviced in for sometime it may be best to ship it to BB unless you can find someone closer.
It will needs some work with a test meter to establish if any components have failed.
A full service may be needed. ?

PeterL

Elcarajillo

Yes it needs to be looked at by a professional. Does anybody know any place in London that repairs an Alex Duetto machine?

DavecUK

https://coffeebay.co.uk/

Was Traders coffee, John green owner, used to be a main dealer for Izzo machines, pretty sure they have the expertise to deal with it, only about 8 miles from Putney.

PeterL

That sounds like a good option Davecuk. Elcarajillo this is a photo of top of brew boiler. Can I test thos two components before giving up and taking it in for repair?

Thanks both,

Peter

Elcarajillo

PeterL If you have and are familiar with the use of a test meter you could test the T-stat and the heating element.
I personally think you would be better off taking it to the people @ Davec suggested.

John_Yossarian

As @Elcarajillo pointed out, the black thingy is the boiler thermostat, often set at 140 or 150 deg C.

PeterL

John_Yossarian

Hi,

The black thingy with the two red wires coming out of it? If I have blown this, would that stop the whole machine lighting up and heating, do you think?

Peter

DavecUK

PeterL The limit stat should only be connected in line with the heating element…is it possible that the heating element has failed and is tripping out the electrics. I don’t believe there is a main fuse, but depending on age, perhaps Izzo added one.

the best check you can do to start with is a probe with a multimeter from the inlet wiring to see how far power is getting into the machine.

Checking out the limit stat is easy, pull of the spade connectors and see if there is continuity between the two connectors on the limit stat.