It's really just about locating the solenoid valve and making sure it is in the right position to turn on and off when starting the water. Obviously doing it when it's on can be dangerous but I was able to safely do it when it was on to make sure it was in the right spot. You may have to be creative when sticking it on the solenoid valve. I had to use tape in additional to the holder it comes with. simonelliusa.com/images/OscarII-Manual-PartsBook-Electrical.pdf
you need to buy a OPV valve for the NS Musica and swap them out. there are videos and tutorials on this. It comes 15 bars so I dont know why you would want to increase the pressure?
short answer yes. HOWEVER- not well. i would not use that for espresso. IT WOULD BE A WASTE to use the Oscar II with that grinder. NO OFFENSE. i used to use the Baratza Encore (40 settings) and it did not have enough adjustment to make GOOD ESPRESSO.
Hey there, I have a musica. I use the expobar at work and get silky milk but with my machine which I presume is similar to oscar 2, i get the milk a bit bubbly and not silky. Have you experienced a difference too?
i dont have this machine anymore tbh. you definitely have to adjust your form for every machine. if it is bubbly maybe you have to make sure you have a proper swirl/vortex going.
Well i have the original versioning i think they have changed things a bit. I also have a spacer in. I would say start around 12! Good luck. msg me if you need more help
Hey Zach! I also have an Oscar ii, was wondering if you could help me with the routine (installed OPV). How do you run the cooling flush for this machine? From idle and before you pull a shot? Also, are you using a triple basket but 18g because of the shower head screw indents? When do you start your espresso counter given that it starts kinda late? (25-30 seconds right?)
Yes, it indents and this affects the amount of water allowed in the pre-infusion. I recommend getting a triple precision basket. i flushed for 3 seconds right before pulling a shot to help cool down the temp.
Zach Berinstein Thanks for the advice man! Not much info on the Oscar in the net. After 30 min start up, do you just run the 3 seconds? Also when does the espresso usually start since I know there’s the weird preinfusion
@@ThyDaybreak Ya it usually takes a while to start. ya i just flush it for three seconds right before i pull the shot. i installed this thing on my machine: prima-coffee.com/manufacturers/luminaire-coffee. So the time just starts when the valve opens up. it makes it so timing the shot is very consistent, which makes me more consistent :)
hey mate can i ask - if i were to buy one of these machines and make the upgrades myself how much would it cost me? did you install a pressure regulating valve? how difficult was it to install that / the timer? p.s. hope it sold thats a nice deal
This was a few years back so it is hard for me to remember precisely. I remember using this site and other youtube videos to do the PRV. it was pretty easy i think. The thing is because the pressure stat and pressure valve are connected. It uses temp to increase the pressure so it is hard to find the sweet spot. It is very easy to perfect if you attach a cheap pressure gauge to the portafilter. The time was very easy to install. it is a great tool. bought it on prima coffee's website ($100). www.elektros.it/media/product/844/Installation%20Kit%20OPV%20Oscar%20II.pdf
Hello Zach I have the same Oscar 2 but seems like my steam wand is giving out a lot of water instead of steam. I have trouble milk frothing. Please help
hi sir🙋🏻♂️, i got 2 questions, regarding the opv, is the espresso quality is the same as breville bes870? because, i think both have 15 pressure right? if the pressure is too high, i grind coarser, it solved the problem right?
i can't say about quality. i think you can get the same quality but lower pressure is easier to work with and more repeatable. I would think if the pressure is too high grinding finer would solve the problem. Im not sure though, whatever you think is working best for you!
@@zberzzz i watched Whole Latte Love, they say that heat exchange machine can't be descale by users, it has to be done by professional service, is that true? are you doing it your self?
@@zberzzz Hi Zach, is installing and OPV really required to have a nice dense shots like on your videos ? or this can be achieved with the standard configuration ? Thanks.
@@zberzzz Thanks a lot for your answer.. And the installation i believe make the Machine out of warranty right The installation requires a professional skills ?
Only decent video I've seen of machine being used! Does it come with 14g basket and would you recommend upgrading to 18gram VST one? I understand you sold this long ago but the Musica is most likely same basket
hey buddy how’s it going? can i know what brand and model of bottomless portafilter were you using? and did you install a silicone gasket by any chance? I have this same machine and sometimes it leaks from the portafilter when i pull a shot and i noticed this is a common problem using this machine
Hey, I’m doing well. Thanks! That machine is long gone. Sold it 2 years ago. I was typically just looking for the cheapest bottomless portafikter. I think I bought it on espressoparts.com
As for the leaking issue. That definitely occurred in my machine too. You need to get a slightly bigger gasket or one with a rounded bottom. I did that to mine and it completely solved the problem. I would suggest calling a local retailer or espresso chop to get one fitted. It can be an annoying process to do tbh.
@@diongjuan1728 I don’t have one that I recommend. People say silicon ones are better these days. I am not sure about the size since I haven’t had that machine In a while. Some googling would probably have the answer
Thank you! Appreciate it. I think it is worth it. It makes pulling shots a lot more consistent! Can: idrinkcoffee.com/products/luminaire-automatic-shot-timer USA: prima-coffee.com/equipment/luminaire-coffee/shot-timer
Hey buddy how's going? I bought a bottomless portafilter today .need to practice more .n I did around 16-17gm. Getting better. But not much crema.. possible can assist me in some part on this machine? By email?
@@zberzzz I felt that the water pressure is wayy to high, even when I grind the beans really fine. Sometimes I just disobey the 25-30 seconds espresso timing. Because the water just rushing out from the portafilter. Why on earth did Simonelli put a high pressure as default instead of 9 bars? Is there anyway we can check/add some gauge to see the current pressure? Thanks Zach.
@@liquidiceyt they do that with "home machines". i agree. i remember mine being way too high as well. i bought a pressure gauge on espresso parts.com and attached it to a blind disk in order to lower the temp/pressure!. It worked really well so i recommend that! Pretty sure this was the size: www.espressoparts.com/portafilter-pressure-gauge-kit Oh ya I'm pretty sure i bought the OPV mod for the Musica and replaced it. just google that i think.
@@zberzzz You are really serious about your coffee as well I see *thumbs up* ... Wow I never knew about it, so we just screw this gauge replacing the spout yes?
I think if you adjust it to 9 bars the pressure will drop to 8 or 7 when brewing your coffee, plus the steam won't be as strong.. In vibration pump that's normal, that is why you would need to adjust it to 10 or 11 bars as the some of the pressure would be lost by the time it reaches the pump, hence, it will be 9 bars (think of it as an offset). Rotary pumps, on the other hand, have a constant pressure of whatever you set it to without the need to offset. Try it and tell me what you think :)
That's very good to know actually, especially for buying new machines. This machine has been sold so I have a new one. I dont mess with the new machine as much because it was more expensive and is working fine. When this one breaks, i'll mess around with your advice!Thank you!!
@@zberzzz It's practically the same machine with slight differences. In fact, my oscar has OPV and Sirai Pressurestate the same on Musica. I highly recommend lowering the pressure to 10bars... it is really easy to do, why not try it and see how your shots taste compared to when it is on 15 bars? Unless of course that cafe already calibrated it to 10bars to begin with :). I am in the process of treating my sever case on Upgraditis lol. In fact, I am in the middle of negotiating price on a Linea Mini :D. Wish me luck!
@@NANA-gy7yx wow amazing! Thats a dream machine for sure. I assumed the pressure on the musica was lower because it had the OPV but you're right it may not be. OK I will try to lower it a bit. I did for my oscar so why not try again. I will say I am getting good shots now which I was not on my Oscar at first. After I adjusted it, the Oscar was great!
Going well!! I stopped using this machine a few years ago. My brother still uses it. I think he’s going to sell it in Toronto and upgrade to a PID E61 single boiler!
@@hotdogtu I think this is probably one of the best heat exchangers on the market. If you value solid espresso with an emphasis on steaming power then this is a great machine. You can get a better machine, for cheaper, for just espresso. hope this helps! I would try to find a machine with a PID for that price tho.
@@zberzzz hey buddy how have u been? I bought the machine arrived 2 days ago. Good machine. Love it. Froth milk fast .was wondering for the coffee beans grind do u use really fine ? I was on 10..middle not very fine. Not much crema compare to my old coffee machine.guess gonna play with more 1st 😊
Les machines de type Heat Exchange surchauffe l'eau si on ne s'en sert pas pour plusieurs minutes. Le flush c'est pour enlever cette eau trop chaude avant l'extraction. Ça ne réduit pas la pression, c'est la pompe qui produit la pression. La pression reste la même dans la chaudière pour la vapeur. knowyourgrinder.com/how-does-an-hx-espresso-machine-work-2/
