| Applies To |
SOVDA Lift with a SOVDA Vacuum Box or canister vacuum, with or without a destoner |
|---|---|
| Estimated Time | Up to 15 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Required | None |
What You'll Notice
Your Lift is not moving coffee, or it is moving far less than usual. You might hear the vacuum running but see little or no coffee going up the pipe, the suction at the hopper might feel weak, or the vacuum might not switch on at all. Sometimes the Lift runs for a few seconds, stops, then starts again without ever moving much coffee.
In most cases, the cause is one of the five simple checks below. Work through them in order, most problems are solved by the first one.
Before You Begin
You don't need any tools for this guide, and every check can be done from outside the machine.
⚠️ Switch off and isolate the power to the vacuum before touching any cables. Handling cables while the power is on risks electric shock, which can cause serious injury or death.
⚠️ Do not open the control box or the vacuum casing, and do not attempt any electrical repairs.
If at any point you are unsure or uncomfortable, stop and contact Technical Service before continuing.
Check 1 — Air Pressure Is Connected to the Lift
Estimated time: less than 5 minutes | 1 person
This is the most common cause by far, so always start here. The Lift uses compressed air to open and close its valves. Without air, the valves stay shut and no coffee can move, even if the vacuum sounds as though it is working normally.
Check that the air line from your compressor is connected to the Lift, that the compressor is switched on, and that any shut-off valve on the air line is open.
Then look at the pressure gauge on the Lift's air regulator, this is the dial that controls how much air pressure reaches the Lift. It should read 0.4MPa.
If the air was disconnected or the pressure was low, reconnect it and try the Lift again. If coffee now moves, you're done. If not, continue to Check 2.
Check 2 — The Destoner Bean Gate Is Open
Estimated time: less than 5 minutes | 1 person
This check only applies if your Lift has a destoner. If it doesn't, skip to Check 3.
The bean gate on your destoner controls how much coffee flows from the destoner into the Lift. If the gate is fully closed, it blocks coffee from entering the Lift completely.
Find the bean gate and check its position. It should be partly open, not fully closed.
If the gate was closed, open it to your usual setting and try the Lift again. If coffee now moves, you're done. If not, continue to Check 3.
For a dedicated guide to setting up your destoner, see How to Commission your Destoner.
Check 3 — The Vacuum Is Powered and Its Signal Cables Are Secure
Estimated time: less than 5 minutes | 1 person
If the vacuum doesn't switch on at all, check its power and its signal cables.
Power Make sure the vacuum is plugged in and switched on. The SOVDA Vacuum Box needs a 220–240V single-phase supply. If yours is plugged into a lower-voltage socket, it will not run properly. If you're not sure what supply your socket provides, ask a qualified electrician to check it.
Signal cables The signal cables are the cables between the control box and the vacuum that tell the vacuum when to switch on and off. If one of them is loose, the vacuum will not turn on.
⚠️ Switch off and isolate the power to the vacuum before touching the signal cables.
With the power off, check that each signal cable is connected into its connector on the Vacuum Box.
 Canister Vacuum |
SOVDA Vacuum Box |
Switch the power back on and try the Lift again. If coffee now moves, you're done. If not, continue to Check 4.
Check 4 — The Vacuum Filter and Collection Chamber Are Clean and Empty
Estimated time: less than 5 minutes | 1 person
A blocked filter or a full collection chamber cuts the vacuum's suction, so the Lift struggles to pull coffee up the pipe. The collection chamber is the container that catches chaff and dust before they reach the vacuum.
Check that the vacuum filter is clean and that the collection chamber is empty. If either needs attention, clean the filter and empty the chamber by following Cleaning your Vacuums.
Refit everything, making sure all the clamps are closed fully, then try the Lift again. If coffee now moves, you're done. If not, continue to Check 5.
Check 5 — The Control Box Is Switched On
Estimated time: less than 5 minutes | 1 person
The control box runs the Lift's cycles. If it is switched off, nothing will happen.
Check that the control box is switched on and its screen is lit when switched to Cycle.
If the control box was off, switch it on and try the Lift again.
For more on the control box, see the User Manual - Universal Control Box & Lift.
Still Not Working?
If you've worked through all five checks and your Lift still isn't moving coffee, contact Technical Service and we'll help you find the cause.
To help us solve it quickly, please include:
- Which vacuum you have (SOVDA Vacuum Box or central vacuum), and whether you have a destoner
- The checks you've already done and what you found at each one
- The reading on the air pressure gauge
- A short video of the Lift running, filmed so we can hear the vacuum and see the hopper and pipe