Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: Joe on September 26, 2016, 03:09:40 PM
Title: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 26, 2016, 03:09:40 PM
So I'm late to the party of the PVL. But I am at a better place to know what works and doesn't for me. I actually had a sama export at my house for a few weeks while I was fixing it replacing seals for Chef Glenn. I didn't like that and I had fears that the PVL was going to be a similar experience.
Week one with the PVL things I like:
1. Quiet, no pumps. simple is good 2. Not a lot that can go wrong 3. Pulls a nice shot, temp is stable has a temp switch that works. 4. big enough boiler 5. steam wand works well is a 3 hole but they are small holes so it works. 6. water tap works well enough 7. the spring loaded piston- I like this.
Things that make me scratch my head:
1. Sheet metal is goofy on this- it kinda wobbles and doesn't look secure. 2. drip tray is useless the holes are too small and any liquid does not make it effectively in the tray. 3. the cup warmer is not secure and can go flying if you aren't careful
Technique I use:
1. I like to overfill the basket, knock them down, and then tamp. 2. Pull lever down hold for 5 sec. then do the 5 small pump to remove air until pre-infuse shows. 3. let go or control release depending on how it looks, then wait until slightly above 90 deg and do slow 2nd pull with 2 second hold at the bottom. I will say that John is most likely correct when he says I need to just get used to one pull and a smaller shot, but I am not there yet ;D
So the Pasquini is up for sale if anyone here wants one. The noise factor alone is better for my house. But I will not go "shamefully" back to the Pasquini if my mind changes, it's an honor to have a Pasquini, still my favorite machine I have owned.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 27, 2016, 09:41:15 AM
PVL in the spot. Still have all the Pasquini cups and stand etc..
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 27, 2016, 11:23:38 AM
Making a bottomless PF for the PVL. If you havent realized yet there arent a lot of options for bottomless portafilters without dropping some coin. So quick trip to home depot and i can show us how to do it ;).
1. Drill a pilot hole
2. Hole saw time. Use veggie oil, I used avacado oil, because i am from San Diego!
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 27, 2016, 11:26:29 AM
1. It took longer than i thought, use a clamp, i did not and it was tougher.
2. Dremel hone to take off the burrs..sharp bits.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 27, 2016, 11:28:11 AM
Done. Its nice. I am going to take some slo mo vids of the silent naked espresso pull soon
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: RobertL on September 27, 2016, 11:54:16 AM
Joe what was the pilot hole for? I did one of my Gaggia portafilters a few years ago but haven't done my current one. I still have the hole saw and I have a dremel. May have to break them out and go bottomless with my current portafilter.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 27, 2016, 12:04:10 PM
The hole saw i use has a pilot but that was significantly bigger. So i drilled a smaller pilot to help keep things straight. 1 3/4 hole saw fyi on this pf
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 01:00:46 AM
slow motion pour
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: mp on September 28, 2016, 06:36:08 AM
slow motion pour ([url]http://youtu.be/iBadnxBkfUw[/url])
Nice shot!
Did it taste as good as it looked?
:)
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 09:03:25 AM
Yes its pretty amazing when done right. It's a different shot than with a pump machine so its hard to say which is better. But i am liking the difference. The Ethiopian natural Geisha i used for this made a big difference as well.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: John F on September 28, 2016, 11:19:50 AM
Yes...I am correct, one pull is better. 8)
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 11:21:33 AM
Yeah don't hold your breath. You can't be right all the time ;)
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: John F on September 28, 2016, 11:36:38 AM
Hahahaha!! ;D
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 11:53:27 AM
A quick glimpse into my life. As i am getting the parts and oil together and just as i drill the pilot hole, my Wife full of wisdom asks: "so do you have a spare portafilter in case you ruin this one?"
Ahh ye of little faith.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 03:52:24 PM
So I am thinking my p-stat is set too high. and I noticed there are some cool colored PVL's from Europe that has me thinking a paint job is in order. I might go Fire Engine Ferrari Red or Royal Blue. Has anyone taken theirs apart?
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: simmich on September 28, 2016, 05:29:29 PM
Not taken a PVL apart but some years ago I readjusted the thermostat on my Cremina...after lots of tweaking, I believe the factory set presets just needed getting use to.
Ps: the Ayehu makes a killer shot, thanks for the distro ;)
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 06:25:14 PM
I adjusted it to about 1.2bar which is where i like the temp. I have some photos of the operation. Fyi there are valves and two bolts underneath, for those looking to do the adjustment.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on September 28, 2016, 06:26:45 PM
Ps: the Ayehu makes a killer shot, thanks for the distro ;)
Agree. No problem, my pleasure. I dont know if you got any of the natural Costa rica but its currently my favorite SO espresso.
Yep...that Costa Rican is one heck of a great central.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Gene on October 03, 2016, 10:10:36 AM
Joe, That Ponte Vecchio Lusso looks really nice. I'm glad you found a lever to play with. I do get great results with my Pavani using the Fallini method. I noticed in your slow motion pull that the stream tends to go to one side off center. I'm experiencing that same thing on the Astra Mega C that I recently rebuilt. It's a pumper but my shots look just like yours in the video. I'm able to in effect create a preinfusion by activating the pump for a few seconds and let it set for a few seconds then pull the shot. (I'm hitting the on/off button, its a volummatic). This way my stream stays in the center and my shots taste better. What are your thoughts on this off center stream? Is it important in a lever? Just wondering. I know it is whats in the cup that matters in the final analyses. My streams are always in the center with the Pavani Euro. Gene
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on October 03, 2016, 10:43:32 AM
Thanks Gene,
yeah it's probably not on a completely level surface as it's on a rolling buffet table. But I do notice even on a empty flush pull the water heads to the front a little. I don't get overly concerned with my tamp level as well which could also come into play. Maybe someday I'll pull everything apart and see if it is a design flaw or if it is related to anything not supposed to happen. I do preinfuse so it definitely isn't related to that, that would be 4-5 quick pumps to push out any air gap and wet the puck. If I do a double felini pull I am guaranteed to get channeling or a cracked puck so I have been learning to live with smaller shots
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on October 03, 2016, 02:39:33 PM
I paid attention to making sure the tamp was completely even this mornings shot and it was a perfectly centered shot this time peeling from the outside in.. Looks like I need to worry about some details...
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on October 03, 2016, 02:40:56 PM
I paid attention to making sure the tamp was completely even this mornings shot and it was a perfectly centered shot this time peeling from the outside in.. Looks like I need to worry about some details...
Leveling with a bottomless critical for a great shot. My son gifted me one that changed everything!
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on November 02, 2016, 02:39:25 PM
Friendly service announcement:
I can't stress enough not to run the boiler too low on these machines or any machine that you manually fill. I had a heating element burn out on my Elektra once because the water pump didn't fill the boiler fast enough. I have seen recent reports that the PVL has frequent heating element problems due to a few factors such as P-stat issues and running the boiler low. Always descale every other month and make sure to fill up that boiler before it gets past half way low or you are going to have a project on your hands.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: rgrosz78 on November 30, 2016, 07:11:33 PM
My PVL has been out of service since 09/25/16, and I am suffering from severe espresso withdrawal!!
My temperature and pressure got quite flaky, so I replaced the pressurestat. But that did not solve the problem. Next "best guess" was that the heating elements might be damaged. But that was not the case.
Next try is to replace the "brain unit". But this piece of hardware has been out of stock for the last month.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on November 30, 2016, 11:07:22 PM
Man that must suck. Ill drink a latte for your loss. Seriously you should always have a cheap gaggia for if the unthinkable happens.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: mp on November 30, 2016, 11:12:18 PM
Oh sure Joe, present him with eye candy for what he so dearly misses.
;D
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on November 30, 2016, 11:22:35 PM
Man that must suck. Ill drink a latte for your loss. Seriously you should always have a cheap gaggia for if the unthinkable happens.
Actually I still have my old Gaggia Classic. I tried it a few times, and it just doesn't satisfy me. I can't get microfoam even half as good as the PVL.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on December 01, 2016, 09:14:34 AM
Man that must suck. Ill drink a latte for your loss. Seriously you should always have a cheap gaggia for if the unthinkable happens.
Actually I still have my old Gaggia Classic. I tried it a few times, and it just doesn't satisfy me. I can't get microfoam even half as good as the PVL.
Did you upgrade to the Silvia Wand? I can get better microfoam from the silvia one hole tip than the PVL but the PVL has some other advantages.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: rgrosz78 on December 01, 2016, 06:34:16 PM
I never did get around to doing the Sylvia upgrade. Each time I tried, the wand was unavailable for several months ...
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Joe on December 01, 2016, 09:44:16 PM
I never did get around to doing the Sylvia upgrade. Each time I tried, the wand was unavailable for several months ...
Get it, and get that espresso rocking until you can put your pvl back together.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: rgrosz78 on June 27, 2017, 07:30:51 AM
I have had to go without espresso a few times while waiting 3-5 months for PVL parts to arrive from Italy. Right now, I am waiting on replacement o-rings for the steam and water handles.
What are other PVL owners doing about this ... are there any sources other than 1st-line for spare parts? If the measurements are the same, seems I could use o-rings from a different espresso machine.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: brianmch on June 27, 2017, 11:37:29 AM
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
I don't know what I'd do if my rig was down for several months. Probably buy a Gaggia or a La Pavoni as a holdover/backup. If parts were that hard to come by and breakdowns were frequent I'd really have to think about continued ownership going forward. I've sold cars I loved that were a PITA.
I use off the shelf parts when they are appropriate: grouphead gaskets, shower screens, o-rings, etc. Sometimes temporarily, sometimes long-term. My rig shares parts with Bezerra models so there is a lot of overlap. I am also pretty tight with one of the premier professional/commercial repair shops in the region so that helps a lot. Otherwise I use factory parts when they are proprietary and can't be easily replaced.
My first stop for all types of little items are local hardware stores that have those rows of small parts in plastic boxes.
Good luck.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: ScareYourPassenger on July 09, 2017, 09:34:14 AM
I have had to go without espresso a few times while waiting 3-5 months for PVL parts to arrive from Italy. Right now, I am waiting on replacement o-rings for the steam and water handles.
What are other PVL owners doing about this ... are there any sources other than 1st-line for spare parts? If the measurements are the same, seems I could use o-rings from a different espresso machine.
O-rings should be simple enough. We also have a great source for these types of parts just to the west of downtown outside of the perimeter. McMaster Carr has a huge selection of bolts, o-rings, valves etc. just look up the material properties to be sure it works with the heat and is safe to use.
Hopefully, the machine can be used now that the piston seals have been replaced.
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: rgrosz78 on July 09, 2017, 10:53:44 AM
O-rings should be simple enough. We also have a great source for these types of parts just to the west of downtown outside of the perimeter. McMaster Carr has a huge selection of bolts, o-rings, valves etc. just look up the material properties to be sure it works with the heat and is safe to use.
Hopefully, the machine can be used now that the piston seals have been replaced.
Thank you SO much for your assistance with the seal replacement! I turned it on after lunch, and the PVL seems to be working flawlessly now. :D ;D
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: Ascholten on July 09, 2017, 11:29:31 AM
Im glad to see that you got it all sorted out. That's the thing, you don't HAVE to have company A's o ring in the thing, oh they'd love you to believe that so you only buy it from them at insane prices, but typically general parts, as long as the replacement is the same material and dimensions, it will work. As mentioned there are shops all over the place in most large cities, even smaller ones that sell this kind of stuff.
Aaron
Title: Re: PVL Ponte Vecchio Lusso - Joe's thread.
Post by: peter on July 09, 2017, 03:35:39 PM