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WARNING! READ FIRST! Elektra Semiautomatica Startup

WARNING! READ FIRST! Elektra Semiautomatica Startup

Congratulations on purchasing an Elektra Semiautomatica. I’m sure you are very eager to plug in and start making espressos and cappuccinos. However, it is very important to read and follow the steps below. A lot has happened from the Elektra facility in Europe to this beautiful machine showing up at your doorstep.

What we do:

When we receive your order, we bench-test the machine (only with water) before preparing it for shipment to you. We don’t assume any machine from any manufacturer is perfectly functional right out of the box. Even though most manufacturers do their bench testing, we still do ours. Afterward, we drain as much water as we can from the boiler(s).

What you need to do:

  1. First, check for any moisture whether on the machine or in the box. When we bench test machines it is impossible to get every drop from the machine. IF THERE IS ANY MOISTURE VISIBLE, PLEASE WAIT 24 HOURS FOR THE MACHINE TO AIR DRY.  OPERATING THE MACHINE WHILE WET CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE UNIT AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY AND PHYSICAL DAMAGES WHICH WE (MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER, DEALER, AND RESELLER) WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

TO AVOID DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE WHICH WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR START UP

  1. Look inside the top water bowl/tank. Check/remove any particles. Fill it with water to ~80% full.
  2. Check the coffee switch on the right side is not pressed in. It needs to be out.
  3. Check the power button is in the OFF position (usually pressed on the “0” side).
  4. Plug the unit’s electrical cord into a preferred GFI (GFIC) electrical outlet.
  5. As soon as you power the unit on (depress the power switch to “I”), immediately DEPRESS AND HOLD the boiler refill switch. You should hear the pump make a burring noise.

WARNING: If you hear no sound, this means a wire came off the pump in shipping (it happens), please power it off to avoid the heating element from melting down.

WARNING: If you hear a light hum, turn off the power immediately as a particle is blocking the pump or refill valve.

  1. CONTINUE DEPRESSING THE BOILER REFILL SWITCH UNTIL YOU SEE THE LEFT SIGHT GLASS FILL WITH WATER UP TO 75% (PLEASE NOTE THIS PROCESS CAN TAKE OVER A MINUTE BEFORE YOU SEE ANYTHING IN THE GLASS.
  2. You must maintain a minimum 25% water level in the sight glass at all times. Otherwise, the heating element inside will melt and damage, and this is not covered under warranty. The heating element will only melt
  3. and damage in this case and most likely will trip your GFI or circuit breaker if the unit does not heat, there is a reset on the bottom.

Other things to do:

  • Power protection
    Get a surge suppressor to protect your machine against surges or spikes.
  • Water choice
    Used softened water. Hard, distilled, reverse osmosis, and purified waters can also damage your machine and will void your warranty. Have your water tested using a TDS meter (80-120ppm) and tests by a local water testing company at your facility with hardness at 1-2 French degrees. Water company tests are only reflective of results at their testing point.