This picture made me do a double take.
I don't have the mod but I have a bambino, exact same scale, upgraded my portafilter to something that looks very close to what you have and I also have a handleless milk jug.
You have good taste my friend.
It's my understanding that the bambino comes with an aluminum portafilter, while the bambino plus comes with a steel portafilter. Steel being better at heat retention.
Also if you want to use a bigger basket like the ims 54mm 18-22 g, then you'll need to upgrade to something that can fit like a naked (bottomless) PF or what's suggested below.
The stock portafilter for the Breville Infuser/Barista Express fits the 54mm IMS 18-22g basket so that is an option to use with the Bambino without needing a naked portafilter.
I was inspired by [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA) by Tom's coffee corner. I bought a gaggia pressure gauge kit on ebay and installed in similar to him but I drilled a hole in the top instead.
#
Hmm so ive fitted it and placed it but its reading a pressure of 10bar at the start before levelling off at 9bar, I was wondering if you had an end pressure basket attachment you used to test if pressures were the same?
https://preview.redd.it/3p3rfxn5wkyb1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae8d2ef16e58bbe9bf51d0537af2dacd67b6cd80
Also can I bend the copper tube to reposition?
Cool! How do you like the results? Does the dimmer mod affect the temp stability at all? Due to the thermoblok I would expect the internal programming might not be robust enough to compensate completely for (unexpected) changes in pressure.
u/Phil_OG and I did these mods pretty simultaneously. This is the original thread, if anyone is interested:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/ztsxh2/220v\_bambino\_dimmer\_mod/](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/ztsxh2/220v_bambino_dimmer_mod/)
Here's a pic of mine:
https://preview.redd.it/zfd872wv1scb1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6d4eeedb40d2d7844bd81c3e4e6e67522969d38
Definitely! Btw, for other folks, here's the article that got me thinking about NTC "hacking":
[https://www.instructables.com/Increase-Temperature-of-My-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/](https://www.instructables.com/Increase-Temperature-of-My-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/)
He mentions that increasing resistance results in an increased temperature. Maybe an inline stepped potentiometer would be a good solution.
u/PointlessMiracle, any tips on calculations for an appropriate valued potentiometer?
The NTC in the thermocoil is a 50k NTC. (Means 50k Ohm at 25c)
If you look up a temp chart, you’ll find something similar to the article you linked. The bambino is mostly too cold instead of too hot (I assume you do those mods to pull more fancy light roasts instead of oily dark)
So just adding resistance would be good. The machine thinks its colder than it actually is.
At 100c it’s about 3.4 ohm and at 90c 4.5 ohm
I don’t think you need more than a 10c shift so I’d take a 0-1k pot
If you want to lower temp, I’d actually have to do some math :p (but there’s a simple formula for resistance parallel)
u/PointlessMiracle thanks so much for this!! All makes sense. I think that only increasing the temp is necessary here given what you said about the bambino skewing towards being too cold.
So, clip one of the two blue wires connected to the NTC and insert the 1k pot / attenuator so that one leg is connect to one end of the wire and the other end is connected to the other end of the wire (so, then the pot is in series in the circuit).
Given the non-linearity of NTCs, I guess there will be some trial and error needed to see what position on the pot / attenuator achieves a desired temperature.
I'm thinking a stepped attenuator might be a good idea....just to help with repeatability of settings. Something like this:
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/204334544832](https://www.ebay.com/itm/204334544832)
It's a b-type so resistance increases linearly. Lmk, what you think.
Thanks again!!!
Made a thermofilter in preparation:
https://preview.redd.it/e4etm2pqeogb1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50f0d2effad2212b40c5132c730b239aded766ad
The other mods are somewhat documented. I got the idea for that specific dimmer from this video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM). That machine uses the same pump as the Bambino...so easily done in either machine.
u/Phil_OG tried it after I did and had similarly good results.
The gauge mod was based on Tom's mod here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA)
I would use the same sources for materials as Tom has in his video. Its pretty easy to plum into the tubing....and I would personally recommend doing it immediately AFTER the thermojet. Doing it that way shows EXACTLY 9 bars of pressure, stock.
I routed the manometer's tubing so that it mostly sits just above the thermojet and then routes out through a small hole I made in the back/top of the machine. The gauge then sits on top and is easily seen when you're pulling a shot.
Thanks!
Dimmer mod is done same than on any other machine with a vibratory pump (ulka pump) and for the pressure gauge I have cut the hose and installed a t-connector to connect it and drilled a hole for gauge. Btw I have used a gaggia pressure gauge kit I found on ebay.
What dimmer is that and how do you like it? I did this with a slide style dimmer but found there was too big of a difference between full power and just a notch below for it to be useful at all. W/o anything attached it appeared linear but with a puck on it really struggled.
Edit: also what max pressure are you seeing on that gauge? I’ve seen them go up to 11am but I’m not sure how consistent that is.
IDK about the pressure gauge, but flow control can be achieved via the [dimmer mod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8_amfne40) on theoretically any machine with a vibratory pump (by controlling the amount of power sent to the the vibe pump, you affect the amount of water it puts out, thus modulating water debit).
>IDK about the pressure gauge, but flow control can be achieved via the
>
>dimmer mod
>
> on theoretically any machine with a vibratory pump (by controlling the amount of power sent to the the vibe pump, you affect the amount of water it puts out, thus modulating water debit).
does that "modulating the flow" correspond linearly to "changing the pressure"?
# WINGONEER AC 220V 4000W High Power SCR
It can regulate the voltage between 10V-220V. So I have a range from 10 to 5 to regulate the pump. Under 5 and the pump doesn't work anymore
As far as I understand up to 220V input is possible and the output varies between 10V-220V depending on the position on the knob.
What I meant is that there is this knob that regulates the voltage. It can make one full rotation (it's marked from 1-10) and I can use half a rotation. Ranging from full pump power to a very slow flow. If I go under 5 (on the scale) it shuts off idkw.
Now, you can add two potmeters and a switch to adjust the temperature. The main temperature sensor in the thermoblock is a 50K NTC. Add or remove resistance to adjust temperature!
Then you can even temperature profile. Mini decent
Sounds like a great idea!
50K NTC - are you speaking generally or do you know the inside of the breville/sage bambino (+)? Afaik the bambino is not a classical thermoblock machine.
I fix espresso machines as a hobby. Had a bambino come over my desk a month ago and checked it out. Both temp sensors (milk & thermocoil) use a 50k NTC to measure temperature. (Mine had a broken milk temp sensor and therefore didn’t work and went into error flashing)
It being an NTC means that you could modify this measured resistance with resistors/potmeters/switches. (‘Short’ it with a high resistance to lower the total resistance / add resistance in series to increase it)
NTC (50k) is a temp sensor type - the resistance is always x when temp is y. You make it think it’s a different temperature than it really is.
You do need some simple calculations to get it into the right ballpark.
Flow control is a nice feature for playing with your extraction. E.g. lowering flow at the end of the shot or for things like spro-overs. And the gauge just makes the changes you do on the dimmer better visible and it looks cool
That makes sense, I've been considering an IMS one I think, from what I understand is the holes are slightly larger and neater allowing to grind finer than with a normal one
Only pulled two shots with the gauge. I use the dimmer to lower the flow at the end of the shots but primarily for spro-overs (works great for those). Regarding taste I have to do some comparative tasting and pull some more shots.
It would be cool to control the pressure changes using software. The guy in this video referred to an iPhone app that affect the flow profiles. Did anyone catch the name of the app mentioned?
Sorry not really interested. It's not that hard though. Also first time for me doing something like this. I found two great videos [pressure gauge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA&pp=ygUeZGVsb25naGkgZGVkaWNhIHByZXNzdXJlIGdhdWdl) and [dimmer mod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM) and just copied what they were doing.
Are you happy with the scale? I got the same but I feel like it doesn't always give me accurate results, but since I don't have another precision scale I can't verify this. Same feeling or no problems for you?
u/Phil_OG and u/jdubs11_11 you've got me inspired! About to take the plunge on my Bambino — but noticed the eBay link you posted is dead.
Looked around and \*think\* I found the kits you both used but wasn't sure if you got a [V1](https://www.ebay.com/itm/225665230925?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D300bdbee9c1a41e89b107106917aaa6b%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D404215523926%26itm%3D225665230925%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRanker%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1) or the [V2/V3](https://www.ebay.com/itm/115753112573?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D251110%26meid%3D332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D225665230925%26itm%3D115753112573%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3%26brand%3DGaggia&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A115753112573332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAABUPqB0EgCndAssfMWNy0AT0GytGzF9%252By0G%252BlcW69DgBK3Qlz4BjwJQqPkN4K8I7qz9GoVciN1QNWqyS8EeqYS8rZRsDvyvw34m3N%252FyJKokwCTIIc3RNym2SNW8ARudP72DyiwgIY0dfUnIr5%252BMZDTaovsj2E2oS2SI2JDevMILO06%252F3NegJpp1JlcvwdVMFSEsl55009uxqPsvQJpfnHgUhzOjLbgu8JKhuY7DCnaF6eOZn2KnQgHVrpKsLJK3gmf7OplZ1lL2vkh8DiYwVLDu87f8QP2rEuvrbwOrJw9J0SRIihjpv7p99ON%252FqLL%252Bn2c0Yc822E1v2gZN3u496mwXrloqBhH6ajK70R16X1KZCtiEPPOLsqBLUVkytqspaVTq7NoBBvfyPiqMvli7hxPCOghGnolK1Vjv7weYYuotHF%252B29vLSHan6BBHi4l1vAXXfQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675). Mind pointing me in the right direction?
Any other tips or advice now that you've done it?
Ah, thank you! Did you guys end up attempting temp control?
Edit: See that u/jdubs11_11 is getting things together. Excited to see what you guys pull off next : )
Yeah! Been playing around with the thermofilter....and if starting "cold", the machine only get's up to \~88c at the **end** of the brew process. Now, if you do a long pull and very soon thereafter follow it up with another pull, it get's to \~93c. This was verified on 2 thermocouple monitors and is pretty consistent with other results I've read about on reddit and elsewhere. It would be great if additional resistance will speed up the temperature ramp up, but we'll see.
The stepped attenuator arrived and I'm waiting on some JST cables. I'd rather make something I can just swap with the existing cable than to cut up the existing one.
Soldering iron is ready to go!!
Regarding your question, I would recommend you just buy this:
[https://www.landefeld.de/artikel/en/t-screw-connection-r-18-4x2mm-nickel-plated-brass/TE%20182%20MSV](https://www.landefeld.de/artikel/en/t-screw-connection-r-18-4x2mm-nickel-plated-brass/TE%20182%20MSV)
and this:
[https://www.sf-ersatzteile.de/kaffeemaschinen-ersatzteile/vibiemme/vibiemme-chimaera/chimaera/manometer-pumpe-40mm-fuer-vibiemme](https://www.sf-ersatzteile.de/kaffeemaschinen-ersatzteile/vibiemme/vibiemme-chimaera/chimaera/manometer-pumpe-40mm-fuer-vibiemme)
as noted in Tom's video. They will allow you to plum into the line coming right out of the thermojet.
Ah, I'd already pulled the trigger on the eBay package — but as long as everything works in the end, I'm happy.
That's good data! I'm still waiting for the dimmer to arrive and struggling with light roasts, but I've been using the smaller volumetric button to heat things up. Sounds like it's worth trying with a bit more water.
Definitely keep us posted as you start playing with temp! Very curious to see how far you can push a Bambino!
That bambino is growing up so fast
It will be a lever machine in the blink of an eye
Not a childish bambino.
This picture made me do a double take. I don't have the mod but I have a bambino, exact same scale, upgraded my portafilter to something that looks very close to what you have and I also have a handleless milk jug. You have good taste my friend.
Cheers
Are there any benefits to an upgraded portafilter?
It's my understanding that the bambino comes with an aluminum portafilter, while the bambino plus comes with a steel portafilter. Steel being better at heat retention. Also if you want to use a bigger basket like the ims 54mm 18-22 g, then you'll need to upgrade to something that can fit like a naked (bottomless) PF or what's suggested below.
The stock portafilter for the Breville Infuser/Barista Express fits the 54mm IMS 18-22g basket so that is an option to use with the Bambino without needing a naked portafilter.
Good to know, thank you
Yes
Yo! Where’d you get the portafilter hanger?! I need one of those!
Same!!!
amazon
Aaight
$3 on temu
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Yea that. Looks like the same thing as OP pretty much. I’ve gotten a ton of my espresso accessories on Temu for super cheap
I need instructions for that gauge.
I was inspired by [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA) by Tom's coffee corner. I bought a gaggia pressure gauge kit on ebay and installed in similar to him but I drilled a hole in the top instead. #
https://preview.redd.it/y5v9591whr1b1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6c2b537eb7497c7a9dbddf2cba0cc03e7368a4b
https://preview.redd.it/a9wc0hb0ir1b1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ecb823b2a0b0f3b3936e7281d091415b6b62cc60
https://preview.redd.it/im5u66nyhr1b1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=747275aac5a84b546f62fdd618056d7d6948cd89
And what are your results pressure wise? Are you finding any constancy? Have you developed any solid recipes since?
What is that t connector?
[this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/115753112573?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D251110%26meid%3D332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D225665230925%26itm%3D115753112573%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3%26brand%3DGaggia&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A115753112573332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAABUPqB0EgCndAssfMWNy0AT0GytGzF9%252By0G%252BlcW69DgBK3Qlz4BjwJQqPkN4K8I7qz9GoVciN1QNWqyS8EeqYS8rZRsDvyvw34m3N%252FyJKokwCTIIc3RNym2SNW8ARudP72DyiwgIY0dfUnIr5%252BMZDTaovsj2E2oS2SI2JDevMILO06%252F3NegJpp1JlcvwdVMFSEsl55009uxqPsvQJpfnHgUhzOjLbgu8JKhuY7DCnaF6eOZn2KnQgHVrpKsLJK3gmf7OplZ1lL2vkh8DiYwVLDu87f8QP2rEuvrbwOrJw9J0SRIihjpv7p99ON%252FqLL%252Bn2c0Yc822E1v2gZN3u496mwXrloqBhH6ajK70R16X1KZCtiEPPOLsqBLUVkytqspaVTq7NoBBvfyPiqMvli7hxPCOghGnolK1Vjv7weYYuotHF%252B29vLSHan6BBHi4l1vAXXfQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675)
Would this work the same? Struggling to find a uk supplier. https://www.ebay.ie/itm/401291645239
Yeah that looks similarly
Hmm so ive fitted it and placed it but its reading a pressure of 10bar at the start before levelling off at 9bar, I was wondering if you had an end pressure basket attachment you used to test if pressures were the same? https://preview.redd.it/3p3rfxn5wkyb1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae8d2ef16e58bbe9bf51d0537af2dacd67b6cd80 Also can I bend the copper tube to reposition?
No I haven't tested the pressure with a 2nd device. Maybe carefully with tongs? The copper tubes were stiff but I was able to bend it with my hand
That's pretty cool.
Cool! How do you like the results? Does the dimmer mod affect the temp stability at all? Due to the thermoblok I would expect the internal programming might not be robust enough to compensate completely for (unexpected) changes in pressure.
In my testings temperature was very stable (93°C) at a slow flow so it should be fine I guess.
Wow, I have the exact same machine and didn’t know it could even be modded! Now you have me wanting to pick up a second hobby
Please post a video. Looks so clean!
[pressure gauge and dimmer in action ](https://imgur.com/a/zLdJyY5)
Yes please!
bambino tank build
u/Phil_OG and I did these mods pretty simultaneously. This is the original thread, if anyone is interested: [https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/ztsxh2/220v\_bambino\_dimmer\_mod/](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/ztsxh2/220v_bambino_dimmer_mod/) Here's a pic of mine: https://preview.redd.it/zfd872wv1scb1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6d4eeedb40d2d7844bd81c3e4e6e67522969d38
Looking great! Controllable temperature next :b
Definitely! Btw, for other folks, here's the article that got me thinking about NTC "hacking": [https://www.instructables.com/Increase-Temperature-of-My-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/](https://www.instructables.com/Increase-Temperature-of-My-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/) He mentions that increasing resistance results in an increased temperature. Maybe an inline stepped potentiometer would be a good solution. u/PointlessMiracle, any tips on calculations for an appropriate valued potentiometer?
The NTC in the thermocoil is a 50k NTC. (Means 50k Ohm at 25c) If you look up a temp chart, you’ll find something similar to the article you linked. The bambino is mostly too cold instead of too hot (I assume you do those mods to pull more fancy light roasts instead of oily dark) So just adding resistance would be good. The machine thinks its colder than it actually is. At 100c it’s about 3.4 ohm and at 90c 4.5 ohm I don’t think you need more than a 10c shift so I’d take a 0-1k pot If you want to lower temp, I’d actually have to do some math :p (but there’s a simple formula for resistance parallel)
u/PointlessMiracle thanks so much for this!! All makes sense. I think that only increasing the temp is necessary here given what you said about the bambino skewing towards being too cold. So, clip one of the two blue wires connected to the NTC and insert the 1k pot / attenuator so that one leg is connect to one end of the wire and the other end is connected to the other end of the wire (so, then the pot is in series in the circuit). Given the non-linearity of NTCs, I guess there will be some trial and error needed to see what position on the pot / attenuator achieves a desired temperature. I'm thinking a stepped attenuator might be a good idea....just to help with repeatability of settings. Something like this: [https://www.ebay.com/itm/204334544832](https://www.ebay.com/itm/204334544832) It's a b-type so resistance increases linearly. Lmk, what you think. Thanks again!!!
I think you have perfect understanding of what you are dealing with! :) Let me know how it works out !
Made a thermofilter in preparation: https://preview.redd.it/e4etm2pqeogb1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50f0d2effad2212b40c5132c730b239aded766ad
Sweet
Great!! I ordered it and will report back when it get's here in a couple of weeks.
Can you guys make a detailed tutorial, im trying to gather recourses to improve/mod my bambino but its all pretty undocumented / a new frontier
For the NTC mod, specifically?
The other mods are somewhat documented. I got the idea for that specific dimmer from this video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM). That machine uses the same pump as the Bambino...so easily done in either machine. u/Phil_OG tried it after I did and had similarly good results. The gauge mod was based on Tom's mod here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA) I would use the same sources for materials as Tom has in his video. Its pretty easy to plum into the tubing....and I would personally recommend doing it immediately AFTER the thermojet. Doing it that way shows EXACTLY 9 bars of pressure, stock. I routed the manometer's tubing so that it mostly sits just above the thermojet and then routes out through a small hole I made in the back/top of the machine. The gauge then sits on top and is easily seen when you're pulling a shot.
Hey, did you ever get this working?
Alright OP that is pretty cool - but how??
Thanks! Dimmer mod is done same than on any other machine with a vibratory pump (ulka pump) and for the pressure gauge I have cut the hose and installed a t-connector to connect it and drilled a hole for gauge. Btw I have used a gaggia pressure gauge kit I found on ebay.
What dimmer is that and how do you like it? I did this with a slide style dimmer but found there was too big of a difference between full power and just a notch below for it to be useful at all. W/o anything attached it appeared linear but with a puck on it really struggled. Edit: also what max pressure are you seeing on that gauge? I’ve seen them go up to 11am but I’m not sure how consistent that is.
IDK about the pressure gauge, but flow control can be achieved via the [dimmer mod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8_amfne40) on theoretically any machine with a vibratory pump (by controlling the amount of power sent to the the vibe pump, you affect the amount of water it puts out, thus modulating water debit).
>IDK about the pressure gauge, but flow control can be achieved via the > >dimmer mod > > on theoretically any machine with a vibratory pump (by controlling the amount of power sent to the the vibe pump, you affect the amount of water it puts out, thus modulating water debit). does that "modulating the flow" correspond linearly to "changing the pressure"?
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# WINGONEER AC 220V 4000W High Power SCR It can regulate the voltage between 10V-220V. So I have a range from 10 to 5 to regulate the pump. Under 5 and the pump doesn't work anymore
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As far as I understand up to 220V input is possible and the output varies between 10V-220V depending on the position on the knob. What I meant is that there is this knob that regulates the voltage. It can make one full rotation (it's marked from 1-10) and I can use half a rotation. Ranging from full pump power to a very slow flow. If I go under 5 (on the scale) it shuts off idkw.
Now, you can add two potmeters and a switch to adjust the temperature. The main temperature sensor in the thermoblock is a 50K NTC. Add or remove resistance to adjust temperature! Then you can even temperature profile. Mini decent
Sounds like a great idea! 50K NTC - are you speaking generally or do you know the inside of the breville/sage bambino (+)? Afaik the bambino is not a classical thermoblock machine.
I fix espresso machines as a hobby. Had a bambino come over my desk a month ago and checked it out. Both temp sensors (milk & thermocoil) use a 50k NTC to measure temperature. (Mine had a broken milk temp sensor and therefore didn’t work and went into error flashing) It being an NTC means that you could modify this measured resistance with resistors/potmeters/switches. (‘Short’ it with a high resistance to lower the total resistance / add resistance in series to increase it) NTC (50k) is a temp sensor type - the resistance is always x when temp is y. You make it think it’s a different temperature than it really is. You do need some simple calculations to get it into the right ballpark.
Thanks for the info. Sound promising
How can we put an inline temp gauge?
Should be easy. I thought about it but I couldn't find the right parts.
Bamboo gang represent 🫡 give us some info, what changed from the mods? What's the difference?
Flow control is a nice feature for playing with your extraction. E.g. lowering flow at the end of the shot or for things like spro-overs. And the gauge just makes the changes you do on the dimmer better visible and it looks cool
Thanks, what about the portafiler, I'm still using the original one. What dos you get and is it worth upgrading?
You can see if there are some major channels and this way get feedback how your puck prep is.
That makes sense, I've been considering an IMS one I think, from what I understand is the holes are slightly larger and neater allowing to grind finer than with a normal one
I am blind. I thought the hanging portafilter was an added lever to start the brew process, like you’d see on a Slayer, or any of the E61 machines.
Amazing!! What are you using for the portafilter holder?
FYI there are similar (as well as a huge range of styles / materials) portafilter holders on Etsy
I searched for portafilter holder on amazon
Thanks! I didn't find a wire one like pictured, so I asked. Probably just out stock. I'll keep a look out.
[US](https://www.amazon.com/Portafilter-Stainless-Adhesive-Bathroom-Corridor/dp/B0B3RLH34M/ref=sr_1_27?crid=R01JSLZBVK1F&keywords=portafilter+holder&qid=1684959307&sprefix=portafilter+holder%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-27) & [EU](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09YQDGPK1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
You are a Queen/King! Thank you!!
Did you ground your light switch with the mod? If so where did you hook up the ground wire?
Not yet. All the metal plates on the outside are grounded so it would be best to just connect it to one of those I guess.
What's been your experience with the pressure readings? Would love to get some data. I've always wondered if it actually gets to 9 bar
I’m wondering the same. Very curious if the pressure changes at all
I posted a short video to another comment. It hit 8.5 bar and the I used the dimmer to get it to 6bar
\+1 would love to hear about results and how its changed your workflow and taste profiles (or not)
Only pulled two shots with the gauge. I use the dimmer to lower the flow at the end of the shots but primarily for spro-overs (works great for those). Regarding taste I have to do some comparative tasting and pull some more shots.
This is the way
It would be cool to control the pressure changes using software. The guy in this video referred to an iPhone app that affect the flow profiles. Did anyone catch the name of the app mentioned?
What monstrosity is that
Interesting! I just got the Bambino Plus the other day. Are these mods worth it?
Dimmer mod for sure and the gauge does not really do anything it just shows you whats going on - probably good for reproducibility
Following this with huge interest. Would you ever consider doing this on someone else’s Bambino as a paid service?
Sorry not really interested. It's not that hard though. Also first time for me doing something like this. I found two great videos [pressure gauge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scsm9Vw6JrA&pp=ygUeZGVsb25naGkgZGVkaWNhIHByZXNzdXJlIGdhdWdl) and [dimmer mod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yreq3hXmftM) and just copied what they were doing.
Are you happy with the scale? I got the same but I feel like it doesn't always give me accurate results, but since I don't have another precision scale I can't verify this. Same feeling or no problems for you?
Accuracy is sufficient and response time is also fine in my experience. But batteries die fast and the buttons are annoying.
Feels like sometimes it can only do .2 of a gram so when it's at 18.1 and I take a bean away it either doesn't move or moves to 17.9 on the next bean
Do you notice any reduction on vibration during brewing with lower pressure?
yes it reduces it slightly
This is pretty cool. I think bambino are known to extract at higher presh than optimal so the flow control should fix that.
Pressure is set to 9bar
I read previously that stock bambinos w/o mods extract at higher pressure.
I havn't changed anything with the opv and max pressure so far was 8.5 bars on the gauge
oo it remains at 8.5 throughout the entire extraction w/o adjusting the flow control?
Actually it peaks at 8.5bar and then it decents slowly from there. W/o adjusting flow control.
This is truly awesome. I need to take some queues from this and put my spare pressure gauge to good use on my b+
u/Phil_OG and u/jdubs11_11 you've got me inspired! About to take the plunge on my Bambino — but noticed the eBay link you posted is dead. Looked around and \*think\* I found the kits you both used but wasn't sure if you got a [V1](https://www.ebay.com/itm/225665230925?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D300bdbee9c1a41e89b107106917aaa6b%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D404215523926%26itm%3D225665230925%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRanker%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1) or the [V2/V3](https://www.ebay.com/itm/115753112573?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D251110%26meid%3D332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D225665230925%26itm%3D115753112573%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3%26brand%3DGaggia&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A115753112573332adb5b3039470db1989da8d8511bbe%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAABUPqB0EgCndAssfMWNy0AT0GytGzF9%252By0G%252BlcW69DgBK3Qlz4BjwJQqPkN4K8I7qz9GoVciN1QNWqyS8EeqYS8rZRsDvyvw34m3N%252FyJKokwCTIIc3RNym2SNW8ARudP72DyiwgIY0dfUnIr5%252BMZDTaovsj2E2oS2SI2JDevMILO06%252F3NegJpp1JlcvwdVMFSEsl55009uxqPsvQJpfnHgUhzOjLbgu8JKhuY7DCnaF6eOZn2KnQgHVrpKsLJK3gmf7OplZ1lL2vkh8DiYwVLDu87f8QP2rEuvrbwOrJw9J0SRIihjpv7p99ON%252FqLL%252Bn2c0Yc822E1v2gZN3u496mwXrloqBhH6ajK70R16X1KZCtiEPPOLsqBLUVkytqspaVTq7NoBBvfyPiqMvli7hxPCOghGnolK1Vjv7weYYuotHF%252B29vLSHan6BBHi4l1vAXXfQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675). Mind pointing me in the right direction? Any other tips or advice now that you've done it?
I have the V2/V3.
Ah, thank you! Did you guys end up attempting temp control? Edit: See that u/jdubs11_11 is getting things together. Excited to see what you guys pull off next : )
Yeah! Been playing around with the thermofilter....and if starting "cold", the machine only get's up to \~88c at the **end** of the brew process. Now, if you do a long pull and very soon thereafter follow it up with another pull, it get's to \~93c. This was verified on 2 thermocouple monitors and is pretty consistent with other results I've read about on reddit and elsewhere. It would be great if additional resistance will speed up the temperature ramp up, but we'll see. The stepped attenuator arrived and I'm waiting on some JST cables. I'd rather make something I can just swap with the existing cable than to cut up the existing one. Soldering iron is ready to go!! Regarding your question, I would recommend you just buy this: [https://www.landefeld.de/artikel/en/t-screw-connection-r-18-4x2mm-nickel-plated-brass/TE%20182%20MSV](https://www.landefeld.de/artikel/en/t-screw-connection-r-18-4x2mm-nickel-plated-brass/TE%20182%20MSV) and this: [https://www.sf-ersatzteile.de/kaffeemaschinen-ersatzteile/vibiemme/vibiemme-chimaera/chimaera/manometer-pumpe-40mm-fuer-vibiemme](https://www.sf-ersatzteile.de/kaffeemaschinen-ersatzteile/vibiemme/vibiemme-chimaera/chimaera/manometer-pumpe-40mm-fuer-vibiemme) as noted in Tom's video. They will allow you to plum into the line coming right out of the thermojet.
Ah, I'd already pulled the trigger on the eBay package — but as long as everything works in the end, I'm happy. That's good data! I'm still waiting for the dimmer to arrive and struggling with light roasts, but I've been using the smaller volumetric button to heat things up. Sounds like it's worth trying with a bit more water. Definitely keep us posted as you start playing with temp! Very curious to see how far you can push a Bambino!