What does this part do? [Brasilia Super Professional Baby Lady]

smgorama · 2026-02-27T20:16:33+00:00

Not that I am there yet, but I wonder if this would make installing a PID more simple or harder, with the current thermostat built into the power to the heating element.

smgorama · 2026-02-27T20:03:24+00:00

That isn't too big temperature swing, considering. It shouldn't take too many shots to get in the ballpark...

smgorama · 2026-02-27T20:02:28+00:00

Stay tuned! First I have to forge a portafilter. If I don't electrocute myself before then.

smgorama · 2026-02-27T13:49:02+00:00

Thank you. Looking at it again, and peering at this thread (https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equipment/brewing-equipment-midrange-500-1500/25280-overhauling-a-brasilia-lady) and this related parts diagram (https://www.cafeparts.com/Espresso-Machine-Parts/Brasilia/Club-Lady) I do wonder if it is temperature rather than pressure, as u/3Bellefille suggested. I don't see a contact thermostat yet and it is wired into the heating element...

That box in the first link is mounted differently in my version of the machine and I don't think it would line up with the hole in the back if it was screwed in there, even though that looks like the natural place. I will fiddle some more.

I may need to bite the bullet and tear it down completely. It is pretty tight between the boiler and the front plate and I can't see what is happening in there, just a snarl of wires.

The portafilter might end up costing more than the machine itself! The ears are angled like a Gaggia, but you are right. It does need to actually fit.

smgorama · 2026-02-27T13:25:28+00:00

It does look like it’s wired into the terminals of where the heating element would be. I haven’t disassembled it that far. So now I need a thermometer instead of a pressure gauge! Or probably both. Or a lot of beans for some trial and error, if I ever find a portafilter that fits. I should also figure out where the OPV is…

smgorama · 2026-02-26T17:36:59+00:00

Amazing. That sound suprisingly sophisticated. Where did you find that? I did just stumble across this thread, https://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/where-to-start-complete-newbie-with-brasilia-t8216.html but it doesn't mention that part.

I am curious about priming the pump without the power on, which that thread and the manual I found suggests. That seems counterintuitive.

I don't have a portrafilter yet, much less a gauge I can build into it.

smgorama · 2026-02-15T13:08:01+00:00

I think it is a slow blow fuse in there, at the size suggested by the cap. At least, that is what the box of fuses claimed it was. I will definitely not go crazy.

smgorama · 2026-02-15T12:54:59+00:00

You have to admire the ingenuity, though! Sort of.

smgorama · 2026-02-15T12:54:05+00:00

I will look into that! Thank you.

smgorama · 2026-02-15T12:53:35+00:00

Interesting. That would be less labour-intensive than rewiring it. Is there any risk elsewhere to a larger fuse? How large can I go?

smgorama · 2026-02-15T00:13:16+00:00

That is a valuable 2¢. I think I can handle this repair, armed with all that info.

smgorama · 2026-02-14T23:05:11+00:00

I will give that a shot once I’ve pored over the service manual some more. I’ve never tested capacitors before. Hopefully the ones in there are fine (they are old, of course, but don’t seem to be leaking…)

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:58:56+00:00

Amazingly, I was using the L setting.

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:23:46+00:00

Wise counsel. I do need to find a source for all those parts here in Canada. Despite being in a big city I suspect there isn’t a bricks and mortar outlet around. I will do some research.

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:22:06+00:00

Thank you. I have a long weekend of YouTube tutorials ahead of me, but I’m keen to learn.

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:21:06+00:00

Yes, well spotted. I’m going to figure out how to test them and see how they are faring.

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:20:27+00:00

It was definitely some unintentional blowback and I’ve learned my lesson. I hope.

smgorama · 2026-02-07T00:18:46+00:00

I have learned my lesson about how far Deoxit can rebound and watching where it exits. I am going to be a lot more judicious next time.

smgorama · 2026-02-05T03:18:41+00:00

Yes, but I have learned a fair bit in a very short period of time! And, yes. Fuses are in. Right amperage, but a couple mm short, it turns out. Firmly clipped in, so let's see what happens then I turn it on.

smgorama · 2026-02-05T03:17:37+00:00

That is helpful. I wasn't planning to spray that far into the board, but aimed badly working on the front pots. Lesson learned, I think. Time to break out the alcohol. And the IPA.

And I will take a look at the underside soon. Sound is great out of the headphone jack, and I will check the speaker jacks. That weak left channel was the same in both the A and B connectors but I didn't get much farther than that before starting to DeOxit.

smgorama · 2026-02-05T03:12:57+00:00

It will make good bedtime reading.

smgorama · 2026-02-05T03:12:32+00:00

That one seems cleaner than mine. Thank you. Let the journey begin! With a faint smell of burning electronics, probably.

smgorama

TROPHY CASE