LPowners.org Europiccola Pressure Gauge

Bruce Colglazier Pappas

Adding a pressure gauge is a very common upgrade made by Europiccola owners. Many members feel a pressure gauge should be standard on ALL models for several reasons:

  1. To know and understand boiler pressure which translates to water temperature.
  2. To be able to adjust the pressurestat, if the machine has a pressurestat (later models).

There are two ways to make this upgrade: (1) add an adapter (simplest) or (2) replace the upper sight glass fitting. Adapters and fittings can be found in both chrome or brass. If you add an adapter, make sure you that you order the correct one. There are two possible diameter threads.

  1. For older machines with metal sight glass tube guard, you need a 12 mm adapter (female 11 mm).
  2. For newer machines with plastic sight glass tube cover, you need a 11 mm adapter (female 10 mm).

Measure the inside of the hole diameter (female fitting). NOTE: There were some transition machines that used both Pre- and Mill- parts. Also, when one buys a used machine, the previous owner(s) may have changed parts. There is nothing quite so disappointing as spending money on postage, waiting a week, then to find out the adapter doesn't fit. Then one must reorder and pay another shipping charge.

You can also order an original OEM La Pavoni gauge or several other non-OEM gauges that fit and work.
When installing the adapter and to avoid leaks, reuse the original plastic ring under the sight tube cap, if it is not damaged. Use Teflon tape on the gauge, but you can also use it on both fittings (adapter and gauge), even if you reuse the original plastic ring. Trim off excess with a knife.

NOTE: Just a reminder here not to overtighten the adapter. You can always tighten more if a leak is detected. Overtightening will usually break the adapter or ruin the threading. If you noticed a vapor lock in the sight glass post installation you will have to shorten the glass tube a few mm since the top inlet from to boiler may become blocked by adapter making contact with top of tube and blocking port hole. Cut the glass tube down to 128 mm from OEM 132 mm.

Video:

Gauge:

Adapter:

Both gauge & adapter:

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Created 27-FEB-2017 | updated 06-FEB-2023 | BCP