>> There is a new, tapered group that looks larger. The drip tray cover >> is a more attractive design. Anyone know any more details?
>> Marshall
I got the notification of all the particulars on the Chris Coffee Newsletter yesterday Mon Oct 30th @ 10:48PM. Quote: "First there is a NEW Rancilio Silvia on the market and Chris' Coffee Service has them in stock as of today. The NEW Silvia has an adjustable expansion valve, different group, different drip try cover, and is POD adaptable. We will have images of the NEW Silvia up on our site by the end of the week, which will show the NEW features."
>Is the group really different or is it just the sheath covering it that's >different?
Take a look at the internal pic. There is a stainless steel, socket head bolt in the front, base of the boiler, pointing towards the front of the machine that I do not remember seeing before (I have never had to disassemble the boiler). Looks like it could be a place for a sensor for a future PID installation... from the factory??? No?
Randy G. wrote: > Take a look at the internal pic. There is a stainless steel, socket > head bolt in the front, base of the boiler, pointing towards the front > of the machine that I do not remember seeing before (I have never had > to disassemble the boiler). Looks like it could be a place for a > sensor for a future PID installation... from the factory??? No?
That is on current models, too. It is the threaded socket into which Eric S style Swagelok adapters can be fitted. I have a couple of machines with thermocouples installed here. Very useful for monitoring group temp and brew water temp (albeit upstream of screen).
Not useful, IMHO, for primary PID control because it is too low on the boiler.
It is the same group but a really nice cover. I think it will effect the thermal stabilty of the group by shielding heat loss. We will scace it later today ;-)
I'm not sure if I'm serious about that last statement, but you know it is possible. On the Wega Sphera, it had a decorative cover that added to stability just by chance........
Rotary and PID actually, with warranty, hell I will even publish my phone number ;-)
will you have the new adjustable OPV available for sale soon?
I think the new grouphead styling looks great. I really don't like the drip tray cover though. :( It doesn't look any more functional than my old one, and it doesn't seem to fit with the boxy "asthetic" of the rest of the machine. If only they had made a lip around the outside...
>will you have the new adjustable OPV available for sale soon?
I was thinking the same thing...
>I think the new grouphead styling looks great. I really don't like the >drip tray cover though. :( It doesn't look any more functional than my old >one, and it doesn't seem to fit with the boxy "asthetic" of the rest of >the machine. If only they had made a lip around the outside...
A lip might be a "catch" to tip over a finished shot when you pulled it out from under the PF first thing in the morning when the eyes aren't open yet.
As Jim said, this M6 x 8 mm allen hd screw has been with Silvia since day one. It plugs the necessary crossdrilling of the water passage to the group.
The changes which have been made to the Rancilio Silvia (that I am aware of) since September 1999 are:
a. thermal overload protection for vibration pump b. one piece heating element/upper boiler unit c. easily adjustable overpressure valve (OPV) d. slotted hex hd screw for group screen e. thermowell (0.245 x 1.2 inches) in boiler f. wiring insulated with "plastic" vice woven cloth
The thermal overload for the little Ulka is shown on the electrical schematic in my owners manual but my machine was never equipped with one (about three days ago that was unfortunate). The easily adjustable OPV was reported by a user who purchased his Silvia from 1stLine in November 2005. The thermowell in Silvia's boiler was discussed on CG and Alan Frew reported that it existed circa 2000. Alan also reported on his website pictures of another "new" Silvia that apparently did not make it to production - http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/host2003.html
>>Is the group really different or is it just the sheath covering it that's >>different?
> Take a look at the internal pic. There is a stainless steel, socket > head bolt in the front, base of the boiler, pointing towards the front > of the machine that I do not remember seeing before (I have never had > to disassemble the boiler). Looks like it could be a place for a > sensor for a future PID installation... from the factory??? No?
> will you have the new adjustable OPV available for sale soon?
> I think the new grouphead styling looks great. I really don't like the > drip tray cover though. :( It doesn't look any more functional than my old > one, and it doesn't seem to fit with the boxy "asthetic" of the rest of > the machine. If only they had made a lip around the outside...
> R
Ah, yes....Devon and Brian anticipated the OPV upgrade and ordered a bunch. They should be here in the next week or so. Also for those that like the new drip tray, it will be offered as well. Thanks for your support!
> >Is the group really different or is it just the sheath covering it that's > >different?
> Take a look at the internal pic. There is a stainless steel, socket > head bolt in the front, base of the boiler, pointing towards the front > of the machine that I do not remember seeing before
My Silvia has that socket head bolt, and is nearly two years old.
My new shipment from Rancilio arrived late yesterday, so I just managed to get a look at the new Silvias today. Some interesting observations:
The shiny chrome group collar is some sort of plastic.
The drop out plate in the group doesn't appear to have any effect on water distribution; at a guess it's there for the pod conversion kit.
There have been big changes to the boiler casting; the thermowell is gone, the steam is now drawn directly from the top of the boiler, there is an additional hex fitting joining the boiler to the inlet/OPV casting and the overtemp thermostat has been relocated. There goes the spare parts budget, I'll be carrying dual boiler sets forever.
Andy Schecter <schec...@remove.me.rochester.rr.com> wrote: >If the shower screen and mushroom fitting are off, and you turn on the pump, >does the 200F water still come shooting out and hit you in the crotch?
I hope it still does that! I would miss it- sort of like a dope-slap from a girlfriend when you screw up! ;-)
> Coffee for Connoisseurs wrote: >> The shiny chrome group collar is some sort of plastic.
> Yuck
>> The drop out plate in the group doesn't appear to have any effect on >> water distribution; at a guess it's there for the pod conversion kit.
> If the shower screen and mushroom fitting are off, and you turn on the > pump, does the 200F water still come shooting out and hit you in the > crotch?
Don't laugh, I had that happen to me & I was standing in front of the machine in my underware cleaning the grouphead when I inadvertently turned on the brew switch! Thank God it didn't hit me you know where, but to the right on my upper right thigh.. {;-o Craig.
Craig Andrews wrote: > Don't laugh, I had that happen to me & I was standing in front of the > machine in my underpants cleaning the grouphead when I inadvertently > turned on the brew switch! Thank God it didn't hit me you know where, > but to the right on my upper right thigh.. {;-o > Craig.
> Another reason to avoid NUDE espresso maintenance.
> daveb
> Craig Andrews wrote:
>> Don't laugh, I had that happen to me & I was standing in front of the >> machine in my underpants cleaning the grouphead when I inadvertently >> turned on the brew switch! Thank God it didn't hit me you know where, >> but to the right on my upper right thigh.. {;-o >> Craig.
>If the shower screen and mushroom fitting are off, and you turn on the >pump, does the 200F water still come shooting out and hit you in the >crotch?
Nah. I'm an expert at this sort of thing, remember? I stand off to one side.<G>
Re the thermowell, it might still actually be there. Bottom right of the "brew" thermostat, the one with the red dot, there's a little dark half circle. I think that's the relocated thermowell, logical place for it I suppose. I'll check up later today.
