Vesuvius Pressure Profiling Machine - General Discussion

Looking as this issue that Prezes was experiencing, it seemed a bit familiar, as I’ve noticed my steam pressure and temp not being able to sustain itself in a way that I remember. My steam boiler PID settings were exactly what his was (as they are the default from the factory according to the manual). I made the changes that Dave suggested and it definitely helped retain the temp and pressure throughout the steaming of milk. Thanks Dave!!!

Given that it helped, it does make me curious why the default settings were letting the PID control it via its algorithm vs just a binary on/off.

sketchy I second that as was meant to ask the same thing. What makes me wonder as well is why does this develop with time and is not an issues that is there on new machine with the original settings.

sketchy

That’s good to know

If by any chance you have time please @DavecUK it would be good to get your thoughts on the “best” settings

Below are what was set on my V1 and V2 Evo

No actual current issues I’m aware of, just curious 😻

prezes Doing a bit more investigation on this, against what the default settings were (especially P & D), I’m suspecting the default PID settings paired with the capabilities of the boiler (size vs the mount it is heating) are to help prevent a more severe oscillation that may occur with the new settings. But I’m thrilled with being able to maintain steam boiler pressure better.

DavecUK Most certainly. Let me check when I have a chance. Thanks Dave.

sketchy

It definitely does.

I’ve seen someone else say the same as you as it partly follows the same tube internally that’s used to fill the tank if you plumb it in….. comes from the solenoid. Easy too go cross eyed and follow the wrong pipe!!

JahLaza Vesuvius wastes a lot of water to the drip tray for the first 20 seconds or so of each shot. Not like a dribble but a pretty big flow. I’m currently using the stock profile 1, which shoots up to 11 bar, not sure but don’t ‘think’ it wasted this much water before I’ll try get a video next shot, but, does this sound right?

I believe the water is coming from the vent valve not the expansion valve, at least that’s what it looked like to me on the video. A few questions, so I can help you.

• How old is it, from new.
• Sounds like it didn’t always do it, when did it start (or you first notice it
• The vent valves usually open at 11.5 to 12.5 bar as that’s when the spring pressure is finally overcome
• When did you last backflush it and do you backflush it properly.

Adrianmsmith hi Adrian, I can try this tomorrow but this seems to have developed recently, I’ve used this profile without this issue for a long time. DavecUK I will try get a better video in the morning

JahLaza I also observed the vent movement of the lever was very stiff after regreasing with molycote after this procedure last week. I disassembled the release chamber (bottom part?) of the group head to see if anything was sticking or any dirt there but didn’t see anything. Still stiff when I lower the lever at the end of the shot. Just adding this in case it could coincide with the stated problem

The lever movement shouldn’t be stiff, that usually indicates wear, or possibly you made an assembly mistake? However from what you say it started before that. So the stiffness of the lever may not be related at all, just coincidence and wear.

Or if you disassembled for lubrication and cleaning a while ago, perhaps you made an error e.g. got the springs mixed up?

I say all this because the actual Viton seats in the valves are usually good for 7+ years in E61 groups and wear on the cam followers wouldn’t cause the vent to leak, although it would cause stiffness and if really bad, make it difficult to open the vent to depressurise.

It might be that for whatever reason the vent valve/group valves and springs might need replacing to stop this happening.

DavecUK I have noticed more water too going into the drip tray, I back flush every day after coffee making is over and puly caff once a month then grease up cam etc. what springs etc will I need to buy please to cure the issue and where do they fit thank you.

Tried it this morning with profile 5 which peaks at 9 bar, no discharge at all to drip tray.

DavecUK I have been very careful how I reassembled it, but there is only one spring in the Vesuvius right? The pre infusion one is absent by design so it’s just the very bottom one? I have the pump speed down around 190 also as it was overshooting past 11 bar, I made this change a number of weeks ago so it’s not really going past 11.2 bar or so now I think

The lever action has been stiff for venting after regreasing for a long time now. That was why I actually took the vent section apart last week as I was tedious about applying molycote - ensured surfaces were bone dry etc.

So, I’ve two issues, excessive discharge at higher pressures and the stiff lever less of a concern but I would obviously like to address

DavecUK I have noticed when I examined each section that it was very difficult to manually push down the internals of the very bottom piece of the pipe as in the pic below (taken from your site) is there an internal part to this as this was the stiffest part of the whole assembly and the only possible source of an issue I could see?

JahLaza

Trying to find a photo to help you, but, I have to say yours looks a week old!! It’s “too clean”. 🤓☕

Mine had been descaled badly and I assume the solution left in for weeks (as it was stored after the descaled) and all the chrome on the internal parts had been dissolved off and scattered around like glitter. The obsession for descaling I’m sure causes more issues than it solves.

But after a thorough clean and soaking the springs and e61 parts in cafiza for a while it all worked perfectly. Yours in comparison looks like a new machine. 🤓

Adrianmsmith I do like to keep stuff clean ok!