The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

gschroeder81

Oh, very nice. I'm using a magnetic reed switch placed up on the solenoid, and the signal is really dirty. I may look into tapping into that relay on the mainboard too, sounds like a better way to read state.
Thanks for the reply!

gschroeder81

Sorry about the lengthy delay in my reply, I guess this went out of my realm of attention for a spell. I changed some things up for continued debugging/testing and unhooked the temp sensor for the time being. It isn't as accurate or helpful as a probe might be. I need to mess with it again. My fourt...

gschroeder81

@bgour I'm using a thermocouple held against the top of the front section of the brew boiler. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP-STNqlQDHl5xQl44iV5cicdb4As0k6o-uubES-ivsHa7NPIHbhtNOPaKyixoP6yZlwqlVl3eCD72618rFB_Zc4r8l16hIu-EgukOq3LxdnIB46mVB=w1000 https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1Gc...

gschroeder81

Finally got my shot timer on custom PCB finished, for now.. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMJcHl_bUSYDUU9iPCZExXJwMydLdSo24896SLT-1NrRXYZeyJqlVfcmqqebapHe5k7eZyBTtIhC9489ZCbn2Ie6wkDSe5QUA_XuYzw9xxr_LxQZeOm=w1000 https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPonxp12YPHtUyRMwCHEG7vkBnB79-uTZV...

gschroeder81

Finally got my shot timer on custom PCB finished, for now.. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMJcHl_bUSYDUU9iPCZExXJwMydLdSo24896SLT-1NrRXYZeyJqlVfcmqqebapHe5k7eZyBTtIhC9489ZCbn2Ie6wkDSe5QUA_XuYzw9xxr_LxQZeOm=w1000 https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPonxp12YPHtUyRMwCHEG7vkBnB79-uTZV...

gschroeder81

I recently had this issue as well. Went to tighten the drain cap and the nipple broke off.Also had a right-angle fitting break off, but I was able to salvage the threads by cleaning the bits out and chasing it with a 1/4" BSP Pipe Tap. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMpxJWZa2SjG4_fSA...

gschroeder81

Nice! Is that replacing the original main PCB completely then? I'd wondered about doing that to make things easier but haven't had much time recently... I'd also considered re-programming the PIC as that would be pretty easy to implement additional features such as PID control and a new I/O board w...

gschroeder81

I'm working on a web-connected timer for my Spaz. I have a proof of concept working but should have something to show soon. My goal is to get out of this in the neighborhood of $50 and use as much existing platforms as possible (less time investment). Ah, interesting - how did you get on? Is yours ...

gschroeder81

I am also using an optocoupler to sense machine state. If I recall correctly that LED was PWM'd (in essence) as they were oscillating ground to achieve more functionality out of fewer wires. I just wrote a little bit of logic to determine duty cycle, essentially, of that Power LED, since it is also ...

gschroeder81

Here's a short vid of the current apparatus.

https://youtu.be/jbvhs1Zi9s0

gschroeder81

Slavka001 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:54 pm I used the magnetic sensor connected on top of the solenoid

Ah, that makes sense. I got to thinking today that the pump relay wouldn't be a good point to monitor because it also runs when filling boilers.

gschroeder81

Great! Actually I like where you have it currently - were you planning on a deeper integration? I'm inspired. I have some small oled screens sitting around so maybe I'll add one to my setup along with a shot sensor line. I plan to cut into my chrome panel, right above the S1 and rear-mount the OLED...

gschroeder81

Slavka001 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:49 am Here is my take on shots timer and count

I love it! That's pretty much what I had in mind for the timer, display for about 20 seconds and then clear. What are you driving this with? Also, what approach did you take for getting the pump signal?

gschroeder81

[/quote] WOW, this is quite sophisticated. If La Spaz is working on their next home model, they may be interested (?). Given our challenging times, companies are likely investing very carefully now but them with coffees closed and such and people working from home, popularity of home espresso machin...

gschroeder81

I simply intercepted the ribbon cable coming up to the button control. I plan to run a wire to the relay signal on the mainboard for the shot timer. The temp reading is something I would like to put a bit more thought into. There should be a way...

gschroeder81

I've been running this prototype using the Particle Argon and some optoisolators on an expansion board, for some months now and it's proved very stable. It allows me to set a schedule for the machine to turn on every day, and control of machine on/off, boiler on/off, and machine state, from my phone...

gschroeder81

I'm working on a web-connected timer using a Particle board. I'm hoping to use mostly existing platforms and functionality to keep this as simple as possible and totally hidden, hopefully in the neighborhood of $50. I have a proof of concept now but should have something to show soon.

gschroeder81

I'm working on a web-connected timer for my Spaz. I have a proof of concept working but should have something to show soon. My goal is to get out of this in the neighborhood of $50 and use as much existing platforms as possible (less time investment).

gschroeder81

@coffeewiser That device looks far better than what I have and use. The only thing that I notice offhand is that it looks like you will need an adapter to the wider-spaced prongs which are typically found on more basic electronic multi-testers. This is the updated model for the S1 that I've been usi...

gschroeder81

@coffeewiser
PM sent.

gschroeder81

PM sent.

gschroeder81

I don't recall, but I would suspect that the power input to the pump comes from the controller/computer box, which has a bunch of blade connectors on it. Don't take my word for it, as my memory of it is foggy.

gschroeder81

Sometimes if you can't get to any metal contact point for a power wire (which may be the case here), you can pierce the wire coating with the sharp end of a multimeter probe. ( I can't really recommend this, but I have done it when needed )

gschroeder81

Yours is a little different than mine, but the input would be the black wire coming in lower. That wire probably splits out, with one wire going to the ground lug (the stack of nuts and green and yellow wires) in the rear right of the machine (to the left in your picture) and then there will be one ...

gschroeder81

Sorry, that's what I meant to ask, is if there is power getting to the "motor" when the brew button is pressed. That's the first thing I would check, before splitting the motor.

gschroeder81

Is the pump getting power to it when you hit the brew buttons?

gschroeder81

mkc,
I apologize, I had moved the pictures, and broke all the links. They should be back up again. Good luck!

gschroeder81

@ Ruthlessaz,
I'm thinking like $40, if you have your multimeter that you can use for reading the thermocouple.

gschroeder81

@ Lav, sure I would be willing to share the STL with you. I will send you a PM.

gschroeder81

I don't know if this request is directed to me or the other gentleman who was renting his scace out. I offered some time ago to rent my homemade version of the thermofilter out if the other guy was no longer doing it. If you are interested I will try to get my stuff together in the next week or so. ...

gschroeder81

I have read around a bit on this forum and it appears that there is a sentiment that the S1 would not benefit much from a PID on the group boiler. Is that still the thought? Is there a noticeable difference when using the Dream, which uses a PID? Does anyone know how wide the gap is in between the t...

gschroeder81

That would make sense. Thanks for the input!

gschroeder81

I am almost done with my homemade thermofilter. Here is the 3D printed puck.

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gschroeder81

Well. I found out what was causing the total loss of power on the S1. I did and I didn't. Let me explain. Last night late I was tinkering on it again, and pulling the element wires loose and checking the voltages and noticed that the machine was only showing 31v input. Odd. I had checked this numero...

gschroeder81

I did check that ribbon cable and it was a tad loose, but I thought that it likely happened when I took the gemini off. However, I will likely have some more time to mess with it tonight.

gschroeder81

Here is an update. I spent the weekend in Phoenix, so I was unable to spend much time on it, but so far all my troubleshooting has returned nothing. Here's some pics. Can't find any inline fuse. 2015-05-29 20.08.06 (Small).jpg 2015-05-29 20.07.59 (Small).jpg 2015-05-29 20.08.22 (Small).jpg And here'...

gschroeder81

Okay, I didn't have that manual, thanks for the link! I see what you are referring to, with the 5A fuse. I will check that when I get home. I will also look for the inline fuse, although I would be surprised if I missed that. Yay, I get to go home and tear apart my S1 even further! By the time I get...

gschroeder81

Last night after I turned my machine on it heated up like normal. About the time the boiler came to operating temperature, the entire machine turned off. No stby light or anything. I thought I had tripped the breaker but after checking it and trying a different outlet, I confirmed the machine had po...

gschroeder81

Okay, here is the breakdown sequence for replacing the motor bearing. Numerous of you have already done this and so you may have a better method for several of these steps, but here is how I did it. This is to replace a rusted or otherwise ruined bearing in the motor of the S1 usually resulting from...

gschroeder81

I ordered this beauty.

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gschroeder81

Sure, I don't mind doing that. I will be taking this motor apart and plan to take pictures of the process for others benefit.

gschroeder81

I bought the bearing because it is relatively easy to change out with basic tools. I did make some mistakes when cracking the motor apart, and learned I had been going about it entirely the wrong way. But I am cheap that way, I will fix it myself if it seems like it is worth the effort. It is defini...

gschroeder81

I did buy a high quality bearing for the motor from CNC Specialty Store http://cnc-specialty-store.com and they have been the greatest in response and service. They sent the wrong bearing the first time around but within minutes of emailing them they got back and told me they would send the correct ...

gschroeder81

I am not the boss:) I do have a good relationship with him though, and unusual access to machinery. I am the CAD/CAM person here designing avionics hardware, so I am working with software and machines that open up some unique opportunities. Naturally, as I have been pursuing espresso craft for some ...

gschroeder81

@rinoevans, I contacted JC Beverage and found them very prompt and friendly. I sent my pump off to them yesterday. Thanks for the referral! I did replace the front bearing in the motor, with a matching bearing I found at Tractor Supply. There is some vibration, when holding the motor in my hand and ...

gschroeder81

Chas, these links are so very helpful. Really comforting to see that I am not looking at something totally whacked out here. I think I shall be able to fix this in a bit. I suppose the seals for the pump will have to come from CC or are those common bearings/seals? One of the links mentions the item...

gschroeder81

You talk about a "FrankenTamper", here is one I 3D printed at work yesterday, not wanting to wait until I purchased one or until I mill one up out of aluminum stock.

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gschroeder81

Thanks for the info, I will see what I can do about locally sourcing parts before going out and purchasing new. I do have access to some tools and soon will have full access to a CNC mill. I will see if I can source the bearings, as I think the motor will be okay if I can free it up. The pump I supp...

gschroeder81

I also have a motor problem. I just bought this S1V1 a few days ago, not understanding that it apparently had been in storage for a significant period of time. It's going to need some serious help. Check out the motor after pulling the pump off. Yeah, this isn't cool.

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gschroeder81

You are right, I will have to redesign the puck. I just bought my laSpaziale, used, and have been using the E61 and other commercial groupheads up until now. Not a big deal, but will require a redesign. I will do it, as I will want to verify the temps on my machine as I dial it in for the first time...

gschroeder81

Here is my setup. And I think it would be reasonable to throw in the multimeter for this cause. This works well, but the needle valve is prone to bumping and needing adjustment. If I knew the orifice size I would just use a fixed hole in a cap. I haven't taken the time to do that as this works for m...

gschroeder81

Hello, new to the forum, and I saw this topic which interested me because I made my own "scace" device (without pressure gauge at the moment) using the 3D printer at work and would possibly consider renting it out if there is a specific need and the OP is no longer interested in doing so. ...

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