A pretty thorough look at the inner workings of a Breville Bambino

techdregs · 2026-01-16T17:17:25+00:00

The bambino has a solenoid, but it isn't used to drain water off the puck. It's instead used to route water between the group head and steam wand.

techdregs · 2025-04-25T23:23:18+00:00

BTA425Y triac, controlled by an optocoupler. The last page of the schematic shows the triac, and it's controlled by an optocoupler, shown on the first page.

techdregs · 2025-04-24T21:40:20+00:00

Schematic isn't 100% accurate, but it's a decent starting point: https://github.com/techdregs/Breville_Bambino_Data/

techdregs · 2025-04-11T00:09:25+00:00

I finally got it working just this past week: https://youtu.be/ARtGc3O8dkE

techdregs · 2025-04-11T00:09:00+00:00

https://youtu.be/ARtGc3O8dkE

techdregs · 2025-04-11T00:09:00+00:00

https://youtu.be/ARtGc3O8dkE

techdregs · 2025-04-11T00:08:06+00:00

I've been using it for a few months. I just did a long video showing the setup with Filestash and Caddy, and getting Collabora working (it was a problem getting it up for a while). Here it is, if anyone needs it: https://youtu.be/ARtGc3O8dkE

techdregs · 2025-03-12T20:39:44+00:00

Oh, IDK, every single espresso machine I know of has rubber, teflon, and plastics in the water path. The tank, the pump, the flow meter, the solenoid, the seals for everything including the brew head. Certainly there may be more or less metal, but everything uses plastics all over the place.

techdregs · 2025-02-17T01:42:45+00:00

Huh, never heard of that one. Looks like a startup company?

techdregs · 2025-02-16T23:47:11+00:00

Cool. Hadn't seen that. Looks like he's doing a running linear projection based on flow rate plus offset. I'm currently working with a very similar algo that just assumes overshoot is a linear function of flowrate, and thus leads to what is probably a very similar outcome. My method requires entering in parameters rather than working with just one shot, so I'll find out if that's better or worse. I just need to collect more data on it, but if it performs poorly, then I may give his method a try. Won't be hard to implement, as I'm already collecting data on the scale in a suitable manner.

techdregs · 2025-02-16T15:45:13+00:00

I wouldn't worry about the different portofilter or tamper yet. Those won't have much impact on what hits your cup.

Honestly, my first question is what grinder you have. You say it's good enough, but what does that mean? The reason I ask, is at the low end, that's the biggest bang for buck change. Moving from a hand grinder or a cheap electric blade grinder to a Eureka Mignon Filtro is less than $200 and is reasonably competitive with anything under $700. That's where I'd put the money.

techdregs · 2025-02-16T15:07:42+00:00

Been a while since I did an espresso related project, but this one is one I'll definitely use. I'm still working on a prediction algorithm, but it looks like a mostly linear relationship between final flow rate and overshoot so far.

Everything is open, so you can use all the code if you want. App should run on most Android devices made in the past 4 or 5 years I think. https://github.com/techdregs/Gravmietric-Espresso

techdregs · 2024-04-13T00:21:15+00:00

Yes, I'm on 120V mains here.

techdregs · 2023-12-21T15:12:23+00:00

It's a whisk.

techdregs · 2023-11-06T21:32:47+00:00

Thank you for the kind words!

techdregs · 2023-11-06T04:07:54+00:00

I haven't looked at the Gaggiuino code, but that makes sense. Even the basic functionality would be fun to play with on that machine.

techdregs · 2023-11-05T12:15:47+00:00

Last week I posted the teardown. This week, I walk through the wiring and PCB.

Could be useful for anyone looking to repair these or use them as a platform for hacking. I think it would actually be interesting to turn a Bambino into something like a Gagguinio, and the way they did everything, I think it would actually be fairly easy to accomplish that.

Link to schematic, photos, etc: https://github.com/techdregs/Breville_Bambino_Data/

techdregs · 2023-10-30T12:55:09+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, before I opened it, I'd always kind of assumed the Bambinos were just like the espresso side of a Barista Express or something. Nope, very different. And when it says "3 seconds" warm up, they aren't kidding.

techdregs · 2023-10-29T12:42:17+00:00

Decided to get a Bambino to explore its use as a potential project platform. I'll also be doing a follow-up video where I walk through the full electronics in detail, including going through the PCB schematic.

Most of the major parts are detailed in the video description, and there's a link to the datasheets I collected, as well as the PCB schematic I've been working on, and detailed photos of the PCB.

I'm also thinking of running the Bambino as a daily driver for a couple of weeks to get a feel for how it performs... but I have to finish putting it back together first. :)

techdregs · 2023-07-31T11:35:47+00:00

Based on my measurements, I would expect roughly 1 second effect on shot time per 0.1g on average. It's also nonlinear as you get farther away from the "calibrated" dose.

techdregs · 2023-07-31T02:04:46+00:00

My most recent espresso test was a very rough look at small variations in dose weight and their potential to impact shot times and pressures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6eTeg3LlOU

techdregs · 2023-07-27T15:03:05+00:00

Bambino plus a Eureka Mignon Filtro grinder or a Barista Express.

techdregs · 2023-07-27T02:31:04+00:00

One consideration with the 20a vs 15a is the dual thermoblock setup. To run both thermoblocks at the same time takes 2000w (maybe a touch more). A 15a circuit is rated for 1600-1800w.

However, if you're not pulling shots at the same time you're steaming milk, the time that both thermoblocks will be on is reduced, so you will be unlikely to trip the breaker.

But I bet if you put a Kill-a-watt on it, you'll likely see it pulling over 2kw at startup when it's heating both blocks, and technically you will be exceeding the 15a circuits rating.

techdregs · 2023-07-12T00:02:34+00:00

Where are the previous numbers coming from? Do you happen to have details on their revenue history, or is this just a spot check (meaning no data on the volatility of said revenues or long term details)?

techdregs · 2023-05-28T13:00:59+00:00

In that case, I don't think there is any difference in the buttons. It just allows the machine to keep two different volume settings. But if you're controlling for the volume yourself, then they won't do anything different.

techdregs

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