ACS Vesuvius Pump Failure

kenyondunscomb

First time poster on this forum, I’m really hoping you all can help me out!!

I have an ACS Vesuvius that I bought used for a nice price because the seller stated that the pump was broken. I took the gamble on the chance that it would be an easy fix, and it’s possible I bet wrong lol

The issue is when the machine is turned on, the pump clicks to start running but only makes a humming noise and doesn’t turn over. After the 90 second timeout, the screen shows the error code “Filling Up Time Out.”

It’s my understanding that there’s a common problem with the Vesuvius for the magnet in the pump to break, especially in the earlier run of machines (this particular one is from 2016). The previous owner stated that he ran into that issue, replaced the magnet ~1.5 years ago, and it ran just fine for the next 8 months or so. So when this pump issue came up, he bought a replacement pump, used, but ended up buying another espresso machine in the meantime and never got around to fixing the ACS.

So when I received it, my hope was that the pump was simply seized up and could be loosened manually. I took it apart, turned over the gears a few times, put it back together but no luck - the exact same Filling Up Time Out. So I tried plan B, and installed the used replacement pump. This pump does the same thing - an initial click of the magnet followed by a faint humming but no turnover, and eventually the error code.

I’ve checked all the electrical connections I can see, and they appear to be fine to my eyes at least. The intake tube from the water tank is clear as well. My fear is that this is an electrical issue - I understand that running the ACS on 120V has caused some electronic issues in some cases so perhaps that’s my root problem? An espresso tech friend suggested checking the power levels getting to the pump, which I haven’t had a chance to do yet.

Any other ideas for me? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I’m praying I didn’t just acquire my most expensive paperweight…

Thanks!

DavecUK

kenyondunscomb

Welcome to the forum, if we make the potentially expensive assumption that the pump itself is not faulty and the used pump you tried is not faulty, lets bullet the possibilities.

The magnets, it’s very unlikely that if a magnet failed a newer replacement would have had a problem, these magnets don’t wear out. The problem as caused by a single batch where a number of pumps had faulty potting on magnets, the manufacturer (FOT) had no way of knowing which pumps might have a problem and which wouldn’t. The air gets to the cobalt samarium and weakens the magnetic power over 1-3 years. These pumps all worked there way out of the system around 7 years or more ago.
The transformer could be faulty, these pumps use a 24V (I believe transformer (black box inside). This could be delivering a short burst of voltage, then as it heats the secondary winding could disconnect, a safety device could do the same, or the voltage is low. You can check this with a multimeter on the 24V setting and try to activate the pump. You can also remove it from the machine and check

My bet is the transformer, as are all those magnets bad and usually the magnets fail gradually symptoms being the machine able to make less and less maximum pressure over time, ending up at 4 or 5 bar…they rarely fail suddenly.

If you can get a transformer of the same rating that you can fit inside, you can use it, or check the part number and get a local in country replacement.

P.S. Don’t believe everything you read on the forums, magnet failures shouldn’t really be an issue with these pumps now, some 5 years ago there were some bad Cruzet drive units though. Electrical issues were around the fuse holders and the higher amperage of 120V, those should have been worked through again 6 or so years ago. I can’t remember if they now hardwire the US machines?

kenyondunscomb

Hey Dave!

Thank you so much for the information, I’m very grateful for the help!

Sure enough I checked the power going to the pump, and it’s only around 5V coming from the transformer. I’m in contact with a seller who’s going to get me a replacement part - it’s a little pricey so I sure am hoping that it does the job!

I’ll post an update on here once the part is in, hopefully with a picture of some delicious espresso as well!

Thanks again,

Kenyon

kenyondunscomb

Hey everybody, I’m back!

I’m learning a lot, but unfortunately I do not have a working espresso machine still. I found a new transformer and replaced the old one, yet I am left with the same issue.

I also have discovered that I was using my multimeter slightly incorrectly, and I was checking the wrong pin while measuring the voltage out. There is an input to the motor coming from the main computer that’s about 5V which dictates the speed of the motor, while the wire powering the motor is giving me 0V. So assuming my new transformer is not faulty as well, I’m getting power to the main brain which feeds the the pump (orange cable) but nothing into the transformer.

What parts could be broken that power the transformer? Should I be looking for broken cables or am I missing something else? All the cables appear fine and unbroken to me, and the connections look visually ok as well.

I’m coming from the coffee background as a barista, handling electronics is a bit above my head! I hope I’m missing something obvious, any help would be appreciated!

Y’all are the best,

Kenyon

DavecUK

kenyondunscomb The transformer is powered by the main board, remove the cover, look for a loose wire or blown fuse.

Adrianmsmith

kenyondunscomb

Take this how you want but in my humble opinion, if you do not have the basic skills to find out that the transformer was not receiving power, then maybe you should not be attempting this kind of repair and it’s a heading for disaster.

You should not be ordering a transformer then to find that it was actually a fault further downstream.

Initial basic fault finding with a multimeter would have determined that.