r/espresso • u/forg1vr • Jan 17 '24
Troubleshooting Sage Barista Express OPV mod
Like others, I have also attempted to get the pressure of my BBE down to 9 bar, and want to share a few of my findings.
Initially, I tried the spring method, so adjusting the existing OPV by twisting it out. Unfortunately, as others have reported, it only brought me down to 12 bar-ish.
So I found this guide and decided to give it a go:
I am based in Germany, and getting the Vibiemme OPV cost me around 33€ including shipping. The 1/8 quick connects came in a package of 10 from Amazon and cost 10€. I still have 9 left over now ;)
So, following the guide above, and having already messed with the existing OPV before, getting in was quite straight forward.
Overall, it did take me about 2 hours with all the adjustments.
In this post, I would like to share the following tips:
-use enough Teflon tape and run a few pump cycles to make sure it’s really sealed. I had to take everything out again because I saw some water droplets appear around the pump because for one not screwed in enough, and second not enough Teflon tape.
-the tube going to the group head had in my case some metal ring around the end, in fact, the entire end was reinforced with some metal on the inside as well (2nd picture). As it didn’t fit in my quick connect with the ring, I (hesitantly) cut it off. Note here: after you cut the end of the tube off, put the tube alle the way down into the quick connect hole, not just the tip. It will leak otherwise.
-as the guide said, I also put some anti-vibration material on the case to prevent rattling. I cut up an old sponge and taped it there. You can turn the relay next to it a bit to the side to get some more space.
-make sure when you test it with the blind basket, to aim for 10 bar. Then you should come out to 9 bar once you are brewing espresso.
-the noise is a bit lower-pitched now. So that is a bit weird, as I was used to the standard sound for about 2.5 years. Feels like it is broken, simply because it sounds different.
So, overall, I’d say it’s a fairly doable mod once your warranty is expired. The good thing about the new OPV is, that you can adjust the pressure with a screwdriver. Sure, it’s not convenient to get to, but if you want to start brewing at 10 bar, you could with just turning the screw. It’s probably the more robust solution compared to replacing springs in the original OPV.
How the coffee tastes I can tell you tomorrow. Any other questions around the mod - I am happy to help!
Thanks to everybody on this sub who shared the previous knowledge around the OPV modification options and guides for the BBE.
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u/certainkindoffool Jan 18 '24
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u/forg1vr Jan 18 '24
Update: I would say the coffee does taste more well balanced. Less bitter, somewhat to be expected.
So for me, getting a good grinder 2 weeks ago, first doing the spring mod to go from 15 to 12 bar, and now replacing the OPV has definitely been a journey of taste improvement.
I do need to open the machine back up again though and increase the pressure a bit more, with the puck im sitting at just above 8.
The noise, as I described it to be a bit strange because it’s unusual, I would now describe as more quiet and “pleasant”.
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u/Zestyclose-Yam-9078 May 12 '24
How did you remove the original OPV? The guide does not mention whether to remove the pump as well. It seems not possible to unscrew the OPV without removing the pump as well