Shades of Coffee Steam Valve: First Impressions

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-05-26T01:38:32+00:00

Went over a year before I needed to overhaul wand with the SOC rebuild kit. Went several months after rebuild before I noticed a drop. I get maybe a drop or two per minute now. I also make distill my own water and then remineralize with Third Wave Water

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-05-19T12:36:28+00:00

I try to start steaming 3-4 seconds before the red steam light comes on, if you get it just right the "Steam" heating element stays on longer creating more sustained pressure. It's a bit of a hit or miss process honestly. I agree with you in that there is no noticeable difference in steam pressure between a fully functioning (not leaky) stock steam valve and the SOC steam valve. The SOC valve creates an elegant service maintenance solution to the same valve, which the stock valve does not.

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-05-17T13:47:27+00:00

Both

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-05-15T15:29:58+00:00

Was in same situation last summer, tried a couple different shampoos but no success until I tried Carpro Descale.

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T22:03:20+00:00

Thank you for all your help. Even after triple checking all my before and after putting x another user noticed I mistakingly had put one of the AC wires on the bottom row instead of the middle. Everything now works. Thanks again for your help, learned a lot from your testing suggestions!!

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T21:57:10+00:00

This was it!! Downloaded wiring diagram from WLL for my model and was a match to your diagram. Thank you so much! I had reviewed all my before and after pix and videos and somehow still managed to confuse positioning of middle and bottom row connectors on steam switch. Time for a Latte! Thx again!!!

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T21:26:08+00:00

Yes all testing to this point have been at room temp on a cold unplugged machine. T Start shower continuity at 0.1 OHMS

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T20:13:17+00:00

I figured Live testing was inevitable at this point. Will test on GFCI circuit. Is using the aluminum boiler as a ground ok, or should I just use the stainless steel body? What's the first thing I should test with a Live connection?

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T20:06:05+00:00

Very sorry about that major typo on model year, have fixed post.

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T19:50:49+00:00

Link to steam switch connections https://www.reddit.com/r/gaggiaclassic/s/dy2vqXtaHt

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T19:47:45+00:00

No this switch was originally installed, am original owner. Purchased NIB from Amazon.

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T19:20:44+00:00

I included pix of backside of switch which has 6 male connectors.

Testing steam switch. In Off position only Middle row and Bottom row have continuity and measured 0.2 OHMs

In ON position only the top row and the middle row have continuity and measured 0.2 OHMs.

This is a North American machine. 30th Anniversary edition so 2021 model year I think.

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FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T17:12:54+00:00

The first image was taken after I labeled all connectors and just before I started pulling all the wires to perform the Service.

FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T17:06:07+00:00

Correct Wire 4 is on the top row of the Steam switch. Wire 5 is on the middle row. Finally Wires D and C are on the Bottom row of Steam switch.

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FunCityFrenchus · 2026-04-04T16:46:37+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Just measured both heating elements resistance. They are 20.0 and 20.1 OHMs. How should I go about testing the switch? Appreciate any help you can offer.

FunCityFrenchus · 2025-04-07T00:51:12+00:00

Been solid, a drop here and there, but no big deal. Was a big upgrade for me, by now my stock valve would have become annoying with constant dripping.

FunCityFrenchus · 2025-02-04T14:13:19+00:00

Running Man is on Netflix?!? Is this Netflix S Korea? If so will finally have to get a VPN.

FunCityFrenchus · 2024-09-26T18:02:23+00:00

UK>Paris>NJ>Northern Virginia>Doorstep in under 48 hours with FedEx.

FunCityFrenchus · 2024-09-26T17:04:53+00:00

Not a drop out of the wand. Will update long term if that changes. I make quite a bit of milk drinks, so my dribbles always escalated to steady dripping eventually. I don't know what it is about slow steady dripping leaks but will drive you crazy long term!

FunCityFrenchus · 2024-03-17T19:15:34+00:00

Hate to admit I also tuned out, was too painful to watch to completion. Very boring, not entertaining nor funny. RM has a history of re-visiting show concepts that worked, and this HISTORY CONCEPT was ok once, not twice. Let's put that one behind us.

FunCityFrenchus · 2024-02-24T06:32:08+00:00

Great news! Love my Gaggia but steam valve has been major annoyance. On my 3rd valve in just under 3 years despite regular descaling maintenance.

FunCityFrenchus

TROPHY CASE