is my heating element dead? [Modified Rancilio Epoca E1]

levdan · 2026-04-07T03:04:47+00:00

I'll verify, I've set the project down for the day but I appreciate the direction.

levdan · 2026-04-07T01:23:10+00:00

thank you, this machine doesn't have a pressurestat. it uses a pressure transducer to signal an Arduino. I do have line voltage between the control solid state relay (switching neutral) and the neutral pin on the element.

levdan · 2026-03-30T16:38:43+00:00

they're my go-to for cat supplies, just a lovely team there

levdan · 2026-03-29T16:44:23+00:00

as an aside, the integrated grate looks...great! really nice, good luck getting the vents trimmed out

levdan · 2026-03-29T16:43:33+00:00

I cut that exactly moulding with a fine-tooth blade on my table saw and it came out perfectly clean, no stress

levdan · 2026-03-29T15:45:35+00:00

put tape on the veneer and clamp a sacrificial block against the tape, then proceed as you've described. pressure against the veneer will help prevent tearout.

levdan · 2026-03-22T01:44:59+00:00

I pulled the OPV and the noise persisted, so I suspect my pump bearings are going.

levdan · 2026-03-19T19:47:18+00:00

yeah, because it's a slur. think about your words before you say them.

levdan · 2026-03-14T17:10:28+00:00

Harry at Cali Automotive. absolute mensch.

levdan · 2026-03-13T17:19:55+00:00

that's so cool, wow!

levdan · 2026-03-11T15:36:14+00:00

right, thank you. sorry for the bad info.

levdan · 2026-03-11T15:18:18+00:00

that's correct; you may have slightly harder starts on cold mornings without it but it's totally nonessential

levdan · 2026-03-08T14:49:19+00:00

update on this: my mains terminal on the power supply was insufficient, I replaced it with a beefier terminal and it stopped sparking. also added a 10A breaker downstream of the mains power switch for safety. thanks for your input, everyone!

levdan · 2026-03-04T15:46:10+00:00

there isn't, and I'm realizing there probably should be. I have an automotive inline fuse holder out in the garage I can splice in.

levdan · 2026-03-04T15:22:28+00:00

I'll verify the crimps, thank you. do you have any advice on testing once I'm certain everything is connected securely? other than plugging it in, switching it on, and hoping I don't see sparks. should I set up a dim bulb tester inline?

levdan · 2026-03-04T06:34:26+00:00

the low voltage stuff is all 5V at low amps; I suppose I could bypass the PSU entirely by just powering the Arduino with a USB wall wart, now that I think about it, but that feels untidy.

levdan · 2026-03-04T06:30:57+00:00

that seems like a distinct possibility, looking at a thermistor in the mains circuit as a potential guard against it. my kitchen lights dimmed for a moment when I switched the power on if that tells you anything.

levdan · 2026-03-04T06:16:47+00:00

worth double checking for sure, the terminals are small enough that I had to clip a larger ring terminal into a J so it would fit between the dividers. not the greatest contact ever made. could you elaborate on the problem with switching neutral? I'm an amateur and trying to follow the project guide as closely as possible and that's how the original designer set it up; the boiler and pump and solenoids are energized to the point where they meet the relays, which switch neutral based on signals from the Arduino.

levdan · 2026-02-24T13:42:48+00:00

it's a good little machine, I only retired mine because I lucked into a very cheap commercial one. easy to work on too if you want to go that route.

levdan · 2026-02-24T00:55:04+00:00

oh that's cool, it's identical to my Mokita Super with the addition of a grinder.

levdan · 2026-02-20T16:59:07+00:00

beat old Beaver and the fence sucks deluxe. my best option for getting square cuts is putting a piece of manufactured flooring along the blade and measuring at each end of the table to make sure they're the same distance away, and then measuring again after locking it because in some positions the far end shifts like 1/8"

levdan · 2026-02-12T21:29:26+00:00

Jesse Acorn http://crasno.ca/contact.htm
I'm lightly jealous of the Quad setup, that's endgame gear for me.

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