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Is the beep/alarm supposed to sound while heating?
Subject pretty much says it all. Got it home, did all the setup, got it up to pressure, heard a hiss and noticed it was cycling very quickly, did the tap the anti-vac nipple, turn the pressure release valve routine and the hiss went away and cycling is at about 60 seconds off, 7 seconds on.
But, every time the heater cycles on, the beep/alarm sounds until the heater cycles off. Is it suppose to do that? If so, that could get annoying quite quickly. If not, what's the issue and how do I fix it?
Pulled a shot with 15.8g of a sun-dried Tanzanian Mbosi about 10 days off roast. Ran just a little fast, not too much (have to tighten up the grind a hair), but was still very tasty. Can't afford to pull too many shots tonight, or I'll never get to sleep.
But, every time the heater cycles on, the beep/alarm sounds until the heater cycles off. Is it suppose to do that? If so, that could get annoying quite quickly. If not, what's the issue and how do I fix it?
Pulled a shot with 15.8g of a sun-dried Tanzanian Mbosi about 10 days off roast. Ran just a little fast, not too much (have to tighten up the grind a hair), but was still very tasty. Can't afford to pull too many shots tonight, or I'll never get to sleep.
Comments
I'm pretty sure it's not suppose to do that! Well, mine doesn't
The only time the alarm sounds is on startup after the pump has run for a long time to fill the boiler or if I forget to top up the water tank and it runs short.
Unfortunately I don't know how to fix it or what the answer is? Luckily Reiss should be out of bed any time soon and checking his emails and you will have a knowledgeable reply in no time.
Have fun with your L1.
Cheers.
Ian
the alarm should only come on if the pump is unable to fill the boiler to the upper fill switch within i think 30 seconds
let me know how it is today
kind regards
reiss.
can we do a Skype or Facetime video call? you choose the time
you say you have left the machine on, have you tried turning it off for a minute and then turning it back on?
i would also pull the water box out and put it back in again to ensure the water box is in contact with the probes in the bottom of the water box
it doesn't make much sense as the alarm sounding will typically switch the machine off - I've certainly not heard of this scenario before
kind regards
reiss.
This is why companies for whom I've beta-tested hardware and software have a love/hate relationship with me — stuff happens to me that doesn't happen elsewhere.
Assuming that you need me at the machine for Skype/Facetime, The first time I'll have avaliable that's not the middle of the night for you, and with time to troubleshoot, will be Saturday morning about 1500 GMT. I'll have a multimeter available and whatever other tools you might think necessary. I'll cycle the machine a couple of times between now and then to see if the problem persists.
as soon as i have something intelligent to say i will - currently awaiting answers
best
reiss.
If only more of us lived by these words of wisdom, the world would be a much saner place.
Just to show that everything else seems to be working.
that isn't the water alarm
its an alarm, but not one i have heard before
i can now forward this link to the manufacturer
thank you for helping me to help you - words are as good as useless for these issues and almost always result in both sides getting hot & bothered
this is the way to go!
r.
thanks!
r.
they have contacted the manufacturers of the Gicar control box for an explanation
i expect we will not get a response until next week, but i will obviously update you if i hear back today
kind regards
reiss.
If there's a wiring diagram with color code, etc. to be had (pdf or such), I would be glad to disconnect the machine from the mains, pop the side panels, and verify wiring. My suspicion is that it's a wire connected to a terminal it shouldn't be. Or at the very least, I can provide you with a photo of the connection bus on the Gicar.
If nothing else it is something I can respond to without waiting for answers from third parties
Here's a few shots I uploaded to Flickr. I notice there's one wire that's not connected to anything, but maybe that's a normal part of the wiring harness.
just checked mine
i can confirm i have the same number of wires as yours (5 on one side, 3 on the other) of the same colours, plugged into the same positions on the Gicar
i don't have the 'spare' wire, but then mine is the prototype and there is a high probability that it may differ from production units in these kind of details - e.g. they are likely to now be using a loom that can be used across a number of machines, not just the L1
i have spoken with the manufacturer today and they are quite clear that if any of the wires were disconnected to the Gicar or connected into the wrong positions that the machine would not function, which it is in their view, apart from the unknown alarm
the alarm issue they are still awaiting a response from the manufacturer of the control unit
more next week!
reiss.
We've had some exceptional Africans this year, I believe.
so it is correct for it to be 'hanging free'
still awaiting response from Gicar
best
reiss
Hope Gicar has an answer fairly soon, as the beeping gets on my wife's nerves a little (not having spent years on the road playing guitar with various bands, her high-frequency hearing seems more acute than mine - go figure), though the quality of the espresso makes up for it somewhat.
If you need a clearer video focusing specifically on relationship between heater and beeping, let me know and I'll shoot some tonight when I get home from work.
its par for the course in dealing with our european cousins I'm afraid
as soon as we hear from them we can offer a solution
kind regards
reiss.
I like the C. Coolidge quote :-)
News just in;
'I have had a reply back from Gicar and they have asked that the customer checks the earth connection to the machine as it is some form of external noise that is effecting the level control. Do they have a fridge on the same circuit as the compressors can cause problems.'
What are your thoughts on that? Relevant?
Ps - the reference to level control is talking about the Gicar's ability to control the max and minimum water levels in your boiler
Let me know
Reiss
Are they referring to the internal earth in the machine or the house ground? I'm out of here for work in a couple of minutes, so it may be tonight before I can start mucking about with where stuff is plugged in, as well as getting out my handy Woodhead tester.
So my question would be, is anyone successfully running an L1 with a Kill-a-Watt? Maybe I just need to swap mine out for a newer one (I've had this one for 4 or 5 years).