Check-list for Plumbing In

Ben B

For those taking the plunge into the LI-P or other plumb-able Londinium units, it can be difficult to amass all the info on recommended additional items needed for getting the best experience while protecting the investment.

There are tons of recommendations littered around the forum added by current owners and members. Thank you all for your contributions thus far!

For simplicity, let us aggregate all the extra things needed here for ease of reference.

1. Automatic shutoff leak detector (what do you all use, what do you recommend?)
2. Water filtration (if needed, based on your water. Could be R.O. or such systems as everpure mc2.)
3. (optional) Gallon counter to track filter replacement or general knowledge
4. Pressure regulator (to around 3-3.5bar static pressure. Should be final component prior to line to machine)

Please add to list as you see fit! Add model numbers or product names for components you have found that work well.

Let's make it really easy for people to take the plunge to plumbed.

Cheers.

Kfir

Good idea Ben!

Just one thing to clarify about the Everpure MC2 that it requires a softener installed before it because it does not reduce scale just filter the water from unwanted components, chlorine etc.

There are other solutions such as the Brita purity C, BestMax new line that Reiss and Frans mentioned in another thread.

I am no water expert but I would strongly recommend to try and taste the water from each system before you buy it.
I for example was very disappointed from the older series BestMax M filter that I had with my L1.

Another thing to check is PH, PH meter is relatively cheap and I recommend to check if the filtration system changes the PH significantly...

Kfir.

TENG WONG

Hi Kfir,

May I know what is the recommended ph for espresso machine? Thank you

Kfir

As far as I know anything between 6.5 and 7.5 should be good enough...

Kfir.

TENG WONG

Thank you Kfir

Kfir

http://londiniumespresso.com/blog/the-best-water-for-your-espresso-machine

Interesting old post on water in the Londinium blog...

Kfir.

TENG WONG

Thank you Krif once again. But in my local area water's TDS is quite low around 30~ 40, so may I know how can I increase the TDS in my water?

Kfir

You may need to consult a local water expert on that but I think it's possible to add a filter that adds minerals to water (the same as in reverse osmosis system).

More minerals will probably increase the TDS...

Kfir.

TENG WONG

I think so and Thank you for your time

Reiss Gunson

Ben post=10019 wrote:
1. Automatic shutoff leak detector (what do you all use, what do you recommend?)
2. Water filtration (if needed, based on your water. Could be R.O. or such systems as everpure mc2.)
3. (optional) Gallon counter to track filter replacement or general knowledge
4. Pressure regulator (to around 3-3.5bar static pressure. Should be final component prior to line to machine)

Cheers.

hi ben

1. i always reference the system posted by Stephen Jenner - mostly its about making people aware that such solutions exist and are affordable (circa £50), rather going specific with model and product codes as our customer base is across 40 countries

2. its going to vary hugely, from plug & play, to just adding a simple carbon filter, to a multi-stage filter-softener like Everpure or BWT for moderate levels of hardness, through to reverse osmosis (RO) for very hard water, for which we suggest the Pure-Pro system which is made in Taiwan i think, but distributed globally, sometimes with slightly different branding in different territories, but fairly easily recognisable as being the same system. If you elect for RO you will need to add a remineralisation filter at the end. For RO i suggest a simple search for the Stephen Jenner post - it covers the issue from start to finish and i can't think of much to add

3. Yes, good idea. Numerous options available, best to ask the person who is supplying your filters as it would be unusual if they we unable to source this item for you

4. Yes a pressure regulator and obviously a gauge to measure the pressure. Placing it after any water treatment equipment not only ensures the pressure being delivered to the machine is measured, but it also protects the device from limescale if this issue is present

if you are in North America another item to add to the list is the Espresso Parts adaptor to take you from 3/8"BSP to the US compression fitting thread. this allows you to unscrew the braided stainless hose that we supply with the machine and connect your braided stainless hose that will have a US compression fitting on it - easy!

best

reiss.

TENG WONG

Hi Reiss,

Have you ever heard, simply just adding Baking Soda ( bicarbonate ) to increase the TDS? or Have you tried before?

How would the taste compare to Remineralisation filters?

Thank you

Reiss Gunson

yes I'm sure it will work, but my question would be what delivery mechanism are you going to use?

i mean with a tank fed L1 you could throw a teaspoon of it in the tank each morning i guess, but what to do for a plumbed in machine?

TENG WONG

Totally agree with you Reiss. Baking soda only applied to Tank version machines. Thank you

Reiss Gunson

be aware that i am not a chemist or any kind of expert in water composition. i have read some articles that are in the public domain and it is easy enough to understand how to control scale and keep temporary hardness within certain ranges and to filter out undesirable elements like chlorine that significantly impact on taste in an adverse way and eliminate heavy metals

i am uneasy when talk turns to simply 'raising TDS' as we could raise it with anything - sugar, salt, indeed anything that is soluble in water

not that i think there are too many people out there who have a handle on it, but i am the first to recognise that there exists a highly specialised field of 'engineered water', for want of a label. i envisage such a science being able to tell us what elements we should use to raise TDS if we wanted to achieve certain taste objectives, or to flex the taste of the espresso in a certain way

TENG WONG

No worries Reiss. I understand and Thank you

Brendan Donovan

Hi All

can anyone recommend an Automatic shutoff leak detector. Do these need to be placed under or near the machine to work?? Battery powered or cartridge based??

Cheers

Reiss Gunson

hi brendan

i presume you have read this post? - https://londiniumespresso.com/forum?view=topic&catid=27&id=489

(you will need to log in to our website to access this area)

kind regards

reiss

Nathan Wager

I found this post while researching plumbing in my L1, but I receive an error trying to access the provided link,
https://londiniumespresso.com/forum?view=topic&catid=27&id=489
I get a HTTP 403 forbidden error.

Is that link still valid? I am logged into the site when attempting to access the link.

thanks,

Reiss Gunson

try now.

Nathan Wager

good to go now, thanks Reiss.