Home PageGaggia PartsGaggia Classic OPV spring set |
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Description: This is a 3 spring kit from Shades of Coffee. It will allow you to adjust the OPV pressure from 15 bars to 9 bars or lower. Fits models made after 2015 for the EU or models after 2018 for the US, - you need to have OPV in the image above Features
Spring pressures
💡 Before you buy - check that you have the PVC OPV- see the image above. Remove the lid from your espresso machine (the two small screws at the rear of the machine, within the black plastic lid) and confirm that your pump looks like the one shown above a black plastic valve - with 2 silicon pipes attached. ⚠️ Shades of coffee spent a lot of time researching this kit and have imitators selling springs, that don’t perform properly. They show images of a Classic with 9 bar on a static pressure test, which will be 8 bar when pouring. Our kits correctly show +1 bar on a static pressure test … so 9 bar spring shows 10 bar; 6.5 bar shoes 7.5 and 5 shows 6. Search terms: Gaggia opv, gaggia 9 bar , gaggia spring, shades of coffee, Gaggia mod, Fits models:
This is designed for new Classic models (Classic Pro / Classic 2019) but will suit EU RI9403/?? (2015-18) model and Classic Evo models - as they use the same fixed OPV. Some other Gaggia models (eg Baby) may also use this similar valve, and hence this kit will also apply if it uses a similar pump-mounted black plastic OPV.. See - you must have this OPV valve or see the image above.
I'VE INSTALLED THE OPV MOD AND NOW I DON'T HAVE MUCH STEAM POWER - WHAT'S UP?Usually, the quick answer is "The OPV is doing what it's designed to do" - but the reason why this can be an issue needs some explanation: The Classic is a "single boiler, dual use" (SBDU) machine - so the single boiler is used for both brew and steam. When brewing an espresso shot, the boiler has a pump pushing water in at pressure, and an output that is opened and closed by a "solenoid valve". So when brewing, the pump is on and the solenoid valve is open - allowing water to exit the boiler. At this time the entire system (from pump output to coffee puck) is at pressure - including the boiler itself - of 9+ bar (depending on your OPV setting). When you finish brewing a shot, the pump stops and the solenoid valve instantly closes the output from the boiler - and this can result in the boiler being left pressurised (often at anything between 1-6 bar). Sometimes the way the pump stops, or the way the solenoid valve closes, or the pressure exerted by the puck during that shot can mean that the boiler is left at 1 bar and at other times it may be 6 bar - or anything in between. This is usually fine, and with a 9 bar or lower OPV setting then the OPV will bleed off any excess brew pressure water via the OPV outlet and everything will be fine. However, if the boiler is left with residual brew pressure of 5-6 bar and THEN you press the 'steam' switch - as pressure is directly proportional to temperature, and you are now increasing the temperature, the pressure within the boiler MUST increase. Usually, this will result in the boiler pressure exceeding the 5 bar pressure spring, and often also the 6.5 bar pressure spring - though as pressure typically peaks at around 8 bar, using the 9 bar spring is normally issue-free. When the pressure in the boiler (and OPV) exceeds the rated spring pressure (5 or 6.5 bar) then the OPV will open - releasing the contents of the boiler (steam and water) via the OPV outlet pipe - back into the tank. This usually makes a frighteningly loud noise - as it's high-pressure steam and water - and the process usually leaves very little (if any) water in the boiler. So - if this happens (and you get the loud noise as the boiler pressure exceeds the OPV pressure) you then find that you have zero power (or actually zero water/steam) for steaming - as you have no water. This ISN'T a problem of the OPV - as stated above - it's doing its job correctly. It's a side effect of the residual pressure from the previous brew session. What can you do about it? Well, many things:
Do you sell the stock opv spring?
John from Cyprus
Hi John, We don't sell it separately. However insert Gaggia Classic pro-OPV in our search bar for the original OPV - the spring comes with that part.
Blue Star Coffee Team
Hello, is this product different from the other OPV spring set for Gaggia Classic that you also sell on your website, and which of them should I choose for my Gaggia Classic E24? Thank you.
Assen from Bulgaria
Hi Assen, They are the same springs - so no difference as far as I can tell.We have sold many of both and both are good.
Blue Star Coffee Team
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