It Lives! The X1 brews again.

A quick visit to the local tecnosystem supplier yeilded a ground conversion kit - group head gasket, screen and replacement jet - to replace the pod adaptor (bottom right). The screen and jet assembly look very much like the Lelit/La Pavoni versions.

Boiler, group shroud and element bolted in.

Steam valve, water feed, original pump and auto bleeder fitted. Nylon pipe from pump is needed to isolate noise and vibration - copper here is not good idea.

Wiring was tricky. When I bought the X1, much of the wiring was disconnected - so I couldn't really work out what went where. I found the X1 manual on line to confirm the function of the indicator lights - top one is power, bottom one is OK (on when up to temperature). I opened the X3 - but that was not helpful, as I couldn't easily trace the wiring (it was buried under components and did not follow normal wiring conventions - i.e., both phase and neutral were blue from the plug!). The Carezza has gone to a new owner so I couldn't look in there, and the Tecnosystem does not have a steam function and is therefore too simple. I ended up working out my own wiring scheme from scratch. I won't put that here for obvious reasons. Awesome birds nest!

Ready to test, front held on by Sellotape - stylish!

Fix a leak from the steam valve - and then... first coffee - yeah!

Put back together and up to temperature. Temperature gauge is not working, but it is eye candy anyway.

Another view

Coffee shrine. My double boiler! I am using the X1 to pull the shots (it has the better dispersion screen setup in my opinion as the X3 does not have the adaptor fitted at the moment - and the X3 has been pitting terribly, I take back what I said earlier about the adaptor being useless) and the X3 to steam. On the other hand, the X3 has the better temperature control, none the less, the newly modified X1 is pulling great shots. Being able to steam while the shot is being pulled is great, and not having to wait for the boiler is giving me much much better milk based coffees in the morning. My micro-foam is getting good - nice and silky, my main problem previously has been over-stretching so all I had to do was stop a bit earlier. Can't say much about my pouring skills though.

Sounds odd, but I am enjoying the feel of the toggle switches - they are very satisfying. Also like the fact that you can put the portafilter in with one hand on the X1. The lighter/narrower X3 needs a hand to hold the machine steady. With the upgrades the X1 is making better coffee that it did when new, it is great not having the compromised pod/grounds dispersion screen/group head.

Things still to do.

1. I want to replace the vibe pump in the X1, the original one seems to be struggling. I have a brass higher wattage one from the Tecnosystem. Done, I was getting very variable extraction times.
2. I would like to fit an adjustable OPV to the X1. There is plenty of space inside the X1 whereas there isn't in the X3, so is the better choice in that regard.
3. I want to reposition the boiler connections. It probably doesn't make much difference in truth, but at the moment the inlet and outlets are swapped (easier to fit everything). As this requires drilling and tapping, it probably won't happen in a hurry (if ever).
4. I am tempted to put a pressure gauge in the X1 to replace the broken temperature gauge. However there isn't a lot of room. We'll see. I am also trying to get a price on the original gauge as a spare part.
5. I need to find a way to hold the drip tray cover of the X1 securely - it is driving me bonkers the way is slides off when you wipe.
6. I have worked out how to fit a 3-way valve using Lelit/La Pavoni parts: copper pipe; MC027, connector: MC075, and 3-way: MC010. However, there seems no way to elegantly handle the discharge pipe. This would be easier on the X3.