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PID set-ups.

 

  1. Size: small size allows it to fit in small space.

  2. Performance: the performance for this PID unit is excellent for espresso machines, a ± 1 degree Fahrenheit ( 0.566 Celsius ) overshoot or undershoot, if any, at any given time during a normal process, is excellent for a small espresso machine like Silvia. More sophisticated PID units like OMRON or Watlow that can be programmed with computer software will provide a better result, but are really more suitable for a food processing plant or Budweiser.    

  3. Simple: this PID unit is very simple to operate and to set-up, you will not have to wade through 20 pages or more of instruction.

  4. Cost: the cost is very low, which reduces the initial cost and allows you to use your budget for upgrades (using the same PID unit) such as: additional digital thermometer for brew head or digital thermometer for milk steaming. You can effectively get the benefit of 3 PID units for the price of one OMRON unit. 

  5. All look-alike made in China controllers as I am using, are coming out from the same place. so you will always have a source for simple replacement.

  6. Although I have never had a PID unit fail, if you ever needed to replace a failed PID, it would be cheaper to replace this unit than any other units like OMROM.    One more time, we are only working with a small espresso machine that normally produce 2 caps of coffee.  read this page.

 

  1. Internal / External: Internally installed unit could be less expensive and simpler, but the external PID unit avoids having to cut the metal front panel (destroying the original look of Silvia), allows mounting the PID display in an easier to read position (in a front panel mount, the display viewing angle will not be at eye level while with the external PID it is angled upward) and provides an external switch (which would have to be a separately installed option on an internal PID) that allows you to bypass the PID when cooling the boiler after steaming or when cleaning the machine. With an internal installation, space is limited on the front panel for PID unit, Thermometer unit, and a pressure gauge, all of which would need to be installed on the front panel. (additional switches are possible) 

 

  1. A basic, low-cost setup includes one PID unit, SSR (solid state relay) and a Thermocouple.

  2. A good first upgrade to the basic PID setup is a steam limit control.

  3. A more robust setup is a Grouphead thermometer.  It is a second controller that will act as a thermometer and will monitor the Grouphead temperature. It will give you a better indication when the machine and group reached a good brewing temperature than just guessing. ( at cold start without this we normally just wait 45 minutes to allow the group to warm-up ) You will be able to monitor and see the variation water temperature passing through the Grouphead before the puck.  With a second PID unit (controller) you can add safety cut-off protection for the boiler and other features.

  4. Manual Pre-infusion can be easily added to any setup. 

 

 

How PID control works with Silvia. & Full Set-up.

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Contact: pidsilvia@gmail.com

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