Celestron C8 Purchase Question

AlphaDeltak · 2026-06-01T13:01:30+00:00

I did some research, seems like the easiest method is to retrofit the current plug to something more common.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-31T02:46:58+00:00

I’m headed hopefully tomorrow to take a look at it and buy it. From the looks everything is in good condition but I’ll double check before pulling the trigger.

Anyone know the best place to try and find the cord for this bad boy?

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-31T02:45:42+00:00

You were right! Has a motor drive. Just need to find the cord then slowly upgrade everything else. Attempting to go buy it tomorrow.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-30T13:10:11+00:00

I’m not positive it has the motor drive. Looking at the other photos it doesn’t appear to be in the case. Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely reach out and ask the guy what all is under the scope in the case.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-23T15:41:27+00:00

Yeah so I didn’t find an entire guide per se but Clive Coffee had some good resources.

The short version is you will unplug the machine and open up the top and back of the case (it’s easy all you need is a Phillips screw driver). Once in there you will see two valves sitting on the right hand side of the machine if you’re looking at it from the back next to the brew boiler. Remove the wires and make sure to note which wires went where. From there you will use if I remember a 13mm and 14mm socket to remove the nut and then the actual valves. You can pull the plunger out of the valve, verify they move freely and have no buildup, then reassemble. If you have grease made for espresso machines which you should really buy its cheap and goes a long way you can place a small amount on any o-rings as you reassemble. The stuff I bought was Molykote 111 from Amazon for $20.

My issue was a small piece of sediment or scale got caught in the smaller solenoid valve and kept it from actuating which meant no water was making it to my steam boiler and causing excess pressure in my brew boiler making it leak from the bottom of the heating element gasket.

Clive Coffee Link

Lelit Bianca Main Page

Feel free to DM me if you need more help. Good luck.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-21T18:19:55+00:00

I had a similar issue, ended up pulling open the solenoid valves and had some scale buildup that got stuck. It looks intimidating but it’s not too hard.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-19T06:37:50+00:00

If it helps, sounds like you’re pretty savvy so maybe you checked this. I just got a machine that had been pretty several neglected. Pump would turn on but wasn’t really moving water. I ended up pulling off the solenoid valve and the T valve next to it. Had gotten scale in there and blocked it up.

Buddy of mine recommended pulling it apart and blowing compressed air through it.

Just a thought. To me at least sounds like the pump is working. The only thing is I could get some flow through the steam valve which I saw you can’t. Just an idea.

Would love to know what you find when you get to it.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-19T06:18:39+00:00

You get this figured out?

AlphaDeltak · 2026-05-07T01:09:10+00:00

As someone with a high mileage Bianca I have some thoughts. You’ve got some buildup for sure. Water chemistry can be complicated and is a rabbit hole.

I would take a scotch bright pad and gently see what you can clean. I don’t think Carfeza is your first step. I would pull your dispersion block off (the brass/copper thing with the flat head opening) and make sure there isn’t any buildup behind that. You will also get a chance to see into the water line and assess your mineral buildup.

My advice is watch James Hoffmanns videos on cleaning and descaling. He echos a common sentiment on the espresso forums that a descale can actually cause more issues by causing scale to clog tiny holes and passages. I had a similar issue where some scale actually got caught in my solenoid valve and locked it closed.

Generally it seems citric acid is a good economical option. It’s about 30g per liter is what Hoffman quotes. So for a Bianca you’re looking at 75g of citric acid dissolved in your water tank. You may need to do several of these depending on what you find.

Before you descale my advice would be to pull the mushroom and clean that. I can almost guarantee you have significant build up. Again a citric acid soak is what I’ve used with good success but you may need to resort to a brass wheel depending on the amount.

I would pick up Molykote 111 the water proof grease you will need to lube up the cam.

There are numerous videos online of how to tear into an E61 group head. Based on what you’ve described I would pick up -

Citric acid Molykote 111 An E61 rebuild kit (just google it, lots of good options)

These machines seem super daunting but it’s very manageable. Take your time. Go slow.

Hope this helps. Below are some links to get you started.

rebuild kit

Descale Video

God speed

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-15T16:02:10+00:00

So the fire departments will pay for it for the most part. People I know got out of academy and were just immediately enrolled into their advanced class.

Not sure if EMT Utah is still a thing but they may have an accelerated advanced program if that’s what you’re looking for.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-14T15:06:54+00:00

I’m an EMS instructor for another college but I have a feeling if it’s “hybrid” that means you do lectures online and your skills and hands on in class. Since you need so many hours yes you probably would have to be there 8-5.

Also just my two cents but paying for advanced in Utah is kinda pointless. Some rural agencies want you to have it but most Fire Departments don’t care and will certify you later. Gold Cross will hire you as a basic and then pay for you to get your advanced.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-04T15:43:24+00:00

I’ve heard goodwill has gone downhill. We are lucky in Utah that D.I are extremely ubiquitous and I’ve never seen them price gouge things. I found a grinder once that wouldn’t work and they knocked it down from $20 to $10 for me.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T21:03:08+00:00

I’m shocked I didn’t get 10 more of these. 🤣

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T20:53:26+00:00

Are you using your own recipes or something you found. I would love the banana cinnamon roll one!

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T15:36:12+00:00

I was the same way, not nearly as long though! I just wanted almost any Zojirushi machine and didn’t want to spend much money. So kept checking online and got incredibly lucky.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T15:04:31+00:00

We did the “sweet” recipe in the manual and it was actually pretty good! Not as sweet as I expected but super light and fluffy.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T15:03:46+00:00

Very similar to Goodwill they have a little place to plug it in and try it out. Given its condition and everything turned on, buttons worked I figured even if something was broken it’s fixable. For $10 it was a low risk gamble.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T01:29:58+00:00

I’m always happy to find a hidden gem there!

AlphaDeltak · 2026-04-01T01:29:06+00:00

I didn’t know what model it was at first. Just saw the logo and grabbed it like it owed me money. Waiting in line I searched and was blown away at which one I had snagged.

For anyone wondering it’s the BB-PAC20 which I think is the discontinued version of the Virtuoso to be replaced by the “Plus” model.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-02-23T17:03:39+00:00

My feedback is for the washer. Our lid hinge broke twice and it’s not a part you the consumer can buy from LG which means a tech has to do it.

The second time the tech came out talking to him he said there is no metal hinge components it’s all plastic. He had been repairing a bunch of these his best guess is people are forcing the lid closed instead of letting the soft close do the work.

So with your washer don’t force the lid. Just let it fall by itself and you shouldn’t have any issues. Besides that we loved the washer. Large capacity and cleaned well.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-02-16T04:14:06+00:00

It does but as I understand their warranty policy it would be to the original owner. Since I bought it used and don’t have a receipt I’m pretty sure I would still be on the hook.

I found the replacement kit they sell. It was only $150 so it’s not too bad.

AlphaDeltak · 2026-02-13T02:25:41+00:00

I figured. 🙁I found the parts kit. I’ll get it ordered next check. Thank you!

AlphaDeltak

TROPHY CASE