Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Gibbons on March 12, 2011 at 2:08pm

Awesome, thanks! Strange about austoria, but I'm sure it will be fine. I don't think I could tolerate working in weather cold enough for any freezing action, but other than that are there any problems? I'm guess it's just important to make sure the portafilters and basically everything is heated properly. 

Brady said:

Both Astoria and Wega distribute grinders made by other manufacturers with the only change being their name attached, often a little less expensive than the original brand for the same grinder. Check specs to make sure, but it should be the exact same grinder. If you have any remaining questions about differences, you could also call Chris.

 

A consideration for cold weather is that the machine cannot be allowed to freeze. Even if you drain the boiler, there will be some residual water left in the heat exchangers and lines to cause you problems. Make sure you have a reliable heated storage solution.

John Gibbons said:

Thanks for all the replies. Since I'm delaying the opening, I may be able to invest in higher quality for a few things. The austoria K30...i think is..is on sale on chris coffee for 1500..i can't think of a reason not to go for it. Can anyone tell me the difference between the austoria K30 and malhkonig k30?? Why do they have the same name? 

 

...

 

Question: What are your thoughts on this cart in the lower temperatures of the midwest? Will this affect functionality of the equipment? I'm talking see your breath weather (I know this changes with moisture in the atmosphere), but this can only be as good as my hands are willing to put out.  

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Permalink Reply by christopher myers on June 26, 2011 at 8:41pm

Wanted to piggyback since I'm doing the same basic thing.  Seems like most people use the ol' Shurflo RV water pump.  Problem is they seem to usually only come in DC.  We will have access to electricity, so AC would be easier as we wouldn't have to do the inverter thing. We found a pond pump that would plug into AC and seems like it would do the trick, but haven't heard of anyone using it.  Any reason it wouldn't work?  How many GPH do we need for an espresso machine and hand sink?  And do you recommend a separate pump for a hand sink or just use a splitter?  We don't need the 3 compartment sink attached to the cart.

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Permalink Reply by nohoana on June 27, 2011 at 2:41am

Christopher -

They sell a wide variety of on demand, NSF approved, water pumps.  Search Amazon.com for "Shurflo 115" and you will find a bunch of them. 

Water pumps will have fittings on both sides, will be on demand (not a simple on/off), pressure specs, can run dry and self prime.  I'm not sure all pond pumps or the ones you are looking at can do all of that.

 

I am running 1 pump to sink and espresso, but haven't actually plugged everything in yet.  In theory it should be enough to handle both.  Plus with my setup I shouldn't be making espresso and using the sink at the same time. 

 

Shadow (another member) is running a pump to each unit. 

 

Whatever you decide, keep the pond pump in the pond.

christopher myers said:

Wanted to piggyback since I'm doing the same basic thing.  Seems like most people use the ol' Shurflo RV water pump.  Problem is they seem to usually only come in DC.  We will have access to electricity, so AC would be easier as we wouldn't have to do the inverter thing. We found a pond pump that would plug into AC and seems like it would do the trick, but haven't heard of anyone using it.  Any reason it wouldn't work?  How many GPH do we need for an espresso machine and hand sink?  And do you recommend a separate pump for a hand sink or just use a splitter?  We don't need the 3 compartment sink attached to the cart.

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on June 27, 2011 at 5:08am

That 115v Shurflo model is commonly called the Park Model and is designed for multiple fixture applications, meaning it has adequate flow/pressure for several uses at once. It's rated at 3.3gpm, 45psi and only uses 104 watts to function. There are alot of 12v models on the market from Shurflo, Flojet,etc but unless you buy one of the higher end 12v models you won't get alot of pressure/flow like from a 115v model.

 

I do have 3 pumps onboard. 1 is used to fill both 45 gal water tanks. Not really necessary if good water pressure is available, just speeds up the process. 2nd is used just for the icemaker as it must have pressurized water to function efficiently and the 3rd one is for the espresso machine, hot water heater, 3 compartment sink and hand wash sink. Granted not all of those fixtures are being used at once often, but the pump does a good job of keeping up with any demand like that and the espresso machine doesn't use much water to begin with. The auto-fill will occasionally kick on after alot of steam has been used, hot water has been drawn from the tap or alot of extractions have been done back-to-back...

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on June 27, 2011 at 5:23am

Also recommend buying a good quality pump that is properly sized for your needs as that will be the heart of your operation. You can get by with one pump doing it all as long as it is rated for the demand you place on it. Diverters probably aren't necessary for most applications.

 

Like nohoana was explaining, most pumps of this type aren't simply on/off and most are pressure sensing. The more demand placed on them the harder they pulse to keep up. Most do have cycling pressure variations depending on the load placed on them, meaning not super steady pressure such as in a home setting where pressure is regulated. This can be eliminated somewhat by installing an accumulator, which serves as a pressure tank. Also, some of the highest priced pumps have pressure sensing systems that can give steady pressure/flow, but you get what you pay for.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on June 27, 2011 at 10:08am

Thought I'd update on power usage of my cart (propane gas powered water heater on 2 group Astoria Perla machine, battery powered electrics on espresso machine, grinder, fridge and Shurflo water pump). So far, the cart has worked well with around 6hrs usage. It takes around 7hrs+ to recharge batteries. Important to think of water reservoir refills (my water reservoir only holds 9 gallons), so I got a Flojet bottled water pump to refill from canisters of filtered water

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Permalink Reply by David Wegman on July 27, 2012 at 7:19am

Interesting thread. I am running an espresso tricycle in Melbourne, Australia. Currently reliant on 240v (standard mains here) but looking at taking everything off the grid. We have a 2 group Izzo Pompeii with gas burner, but it has required an external rotary pump to fill the boiler. We have been informed (from manufacturers) that we can use a '12 v bilge pump' powered by a battery and connected to the water probe. 

I'm now at the stage where I want to purchase a purchase a pump but not sure how or where the water probe is and how it is wired to a pump. Also, if anyone has any suggestions on which pump would be suitable (not required for pressurising anything, just filling the boiler) that would be great!

Cheers,

Dave

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Permalink Reply by Henry on May 1, 2013 at 6:42am

John

What did you end up using?  I am contempting which gen to purchase right now as I have a 2grp requiring 3500W and a blendtec that would need about 1500W and the MZ jolly with 350.  I am not sure if I can run all that off a gen and not having to use a unit that is too loud.   Can't seem to find a gas run espresso here in the states to install in the back of my CRV...

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on May 1, 2013 at 7:50am

You want a Honda EU6500IS. 5500W continuous 6500W max, under 1/4 load 53db full load 60db - conversation level. Ain't cheap but quietest and most reliable on the market.

Henry said:

John

What did you end up using?  I am contempting which gen to purchase right now as I have a 2grp requiring 3500W and a blendtec that would need about 1500W and the MZ jolly with 350.  I am not sure if I can run all that off a gen and not having to use a unit that is too loud.   Can't seem to find a gas run espresso here in the states to install in the back of my CRV...

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on May 1, 2013 at 9:35am

Pump wise you don't need a "high demand flow" pump or multiple pumps, use a 2 gallon accumulator ($50 Lowes or Home Depot) with 1gal per minute entry level Flojet just fine multiple espresso machines including boiler fills and hand wash sink etc.

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