ACS Minima - H2o Error Code

espressoluv

Greetings to all of you! I’m a brand new member of Coffeetime. It’s very nice to meet you all. Recently, my ACS Minima died (i.e. would not turn on). I took it to a local espresso repair shop that specializes on commercial machines, but a week later, they returned it partly disassembled, saying that the Gicar 9.9.38.69G processor was fried, and that to repair it would cost more than what the machine is worth.

I’m now trying to repair it myself. I bought a new Gicar brain and replaced it, not before becoming familiar with all the componets and electrical diagram. I also check most cables, switches and heating elements for continuity. It turns out that I also needed to replace the IEC power connector /filter module. Now, I can turn on the machine again, but I do get an error. The display goes through the following sequence: “NEW,” then “1.03” and then “H2o.” The heating elements, pump and solenoids won’t turn on. Does anyone know what this error code means? I read somewhere in a blog, that the “H2o” error is related to the refill tank switch, but I tested it for continuity, and it seems to be working fine. Also, does anyone have a list of the machine’s error codes other than what ACS provides in the manual?

Some background on the machine: I purchased it in June of 2020, from an outfit called 1st-Line in New York. As far as I can tell, I don’t believe it is a beta machine, but one from the first batch of production machines. Weirdly enough, the stainless steel tray did not come with the word “Minima” cut out.

Any help is highly appreciated.

DavecUK

espressoluv Welcome to the forum, the H2O error code means the machine believes the water tank is empty and thus won’t allow the heating element to switch on or anything else until the tank thinks it has water in.

The Gicar boxes don’t cost more than the machine is worth, but you do need a Gicar box with ACS firmware on it Almost all machines, from all manufacturers now use Custom firmware on their Gicar hardware. The days of when the old standard RL30 was used by most companies and purely operated as an autofill box are long gone.

Hopefully you have the correct box with the correct custom firmware. Assuming you do, then you need to identify what sort of level sensor you have. There was a sprung platform type which depressed a microswitch, I think you probably have that type.

If you do, there is either a fault in the microswitch, loose wire, or you have wired incorrectly into the Gicar box. If you have tested for continuity (right back to the terminal ends) and correct operation of the microswtch with a multimeter…then it must either be incorrectly wired, or you don’t have the correct custom Gicar box

If you need support, contact Maria at ACS, but I assure you that machine is fully repairable and has an expected life of decades, so don’t throw it away, or use that espresso repair shop again..

espressoluv

DavecUK

Wow! David, thanks for such prompt and detailed response. Yes, I did get the Gicar 9.9.38.69G replacement box from 1st-Line, which is the company that originally sold me the machine. I bought the box as an ACS Minima replacement part, so it allegedly comes with the ACS Minima firmware. Tonight, when I get back home from work, I’ll check the tank switch for continuity. Mine came with the original type switch, that operates under the weight of the water tank. I’ve noticed that the latest versions of the Minima come with a different type switch, that goes inside the water tank. Should I upgrade it? I’ve never had an issue with the original switch (until now that is).

Thank you very much for your reassurance that the machine is fully repairable. I really love my machine, and can’t wait to have it back and running.

Thanks again!

DavecUK

espressoluv I bought the box as an ACS Minima replacement part, so it allegedly comes with the ACS Minima firmware. Tonight, when I get back home from work, I’ll check the tank switch for continuity. Mine came with the original type switch, that operates under the weight of the water tank. I’ve noticed that the latest versions of the Minima come with a different type switch, that goes inside the water tank. Should I upgrade it? I’ve never had an issue with the original switch (until now that is).

The box should be fine then and the code is correct.

My Minima (very early one) has the tank switch like yours and I like it….almost nothing to go wrong. It can only be:

A broken wire to the Gicar box
Connector not on the right microswitch terminal (I think there might be 3 connectors 3 on the microswitch?).
Not on the right Gicar box connector (I think there might be 3 connectors 3 on the microswitch?).
Or for some reason the Microswitch is not being actuated (check the distance and adjust if necessary)..

A cheapo multimeter will allow you to make all the machine unplugged checks to help confirm where the issue is. It’s going to be a very simple fix, once you find out exactly where the problem is.

They are great machines, with huge boilers and good performance….very little maintenance with the solenoid E61 group as well.

espressoluv

DavecUK

Hi Dave,

Thanks again for all your help. Regarding your comments about what could be wrong:

A broken wire to the Gicar box

I really hope that’s it. Either that, or the water reservoir’s switch, because otherwise it means that the Gicar box is bad. The place where I bought the box, 1st-Line, does not provide any warranties for parts, so I would have to buy a new one.
Connector not on the right microswitch terminal (I think there might be 3 connectors 3 on the microswitch?).

I haven’t checked the number of connectors at the microswitch itself, but at the Gicar end there are only two contacts on the connector hub (Please see photo below under μserbatoio, where μ is apparently the symbol for water, and serbatoio apparently means reservoir in Italian):
Not on the right Gicar box connector (I think there might be 3 connectors 3 on the microswitch?).

I see your point. I’ll check the micro-switch connector. Maybe it does have 3 connectors, and I’m connected to the wrong one.
Or for some reason the Microswitch is not being actuated (check the distance and adjust if necessary).

I hear it click when I place the water reservoir on it, but maybe that doesn’t mean anything if it’s not working properly. I could just bypass the switch and connect the two contacts at the Gicar together, just to test and make sure the Gicar is good, and that everything else works.

I absolutely love the simplicity of the ACS Minima. It shows that a lot of thought and experience was put into the design, as well as in the choice of the components, all of which are of great quality (Except for maybe the Chinese filtered IEC power connector that came in my machine, which also died. I wonder if the Schaffner branded ones that come in newer versions of the Minima are any better.)

I’ll let you know tomorrow how it all went. Thanks a million for all of your help!

DavecUK

espressoluv I haven’t checked the number of connectors at the microswitch itself, but at the Gicar end there are only two contacts on the connector hub (Please see photo below under μserbatoio, where μ is apparently the symbol for water, and serbatoio apparently means reservoir in Italian):

You are correct, the red one is the steam boiler temperature probe wire, the white one for the brew boiler temp probe and the far right black one for the PID display (the PID is within the Gicar box itself.

If you actually bridged the Serbatoio contacts, then the H2O message would/should disappear. You could do this at the microswitch end.

Occams Razor would state that the most likely/simple explanation is the correct one….so a second Gicar box fault on a new box is unlikely.

espressoluv

DavecUK

Hi Dave! Last night I took the machine apart, and the problem was exactly what you predicted. Apparently, I had not pushed the water reservoir cable connector far enough into the Gicar’s slot for it to lock in place, so it got disconnected by the time I bolted the Gicar into the frame. Within 30 minutes of opening machine, it was back and running, and was able to enjoy a great cup of latte. Thanks a million for all of your help!

DavecUK

espressoluv I’m glad it’s repaired, because they are great machines, all stainless and easy to maintain…add a flow control and you then effectively almost have a Lelit Bianca, for Minima money.