Rocket Espresso R58 V2: Not Heating or Powering On

Resolve heating and power issues with the Rocket Espresso R58 V2.

Machine Not Heating Or Powering On

No Power

• Make sure the machine is plugged into an appropriate power source.
  • Do not use the machine on a surge protector. This machine has a high power draw, more than a typical kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator or a microwave. Surge protectors are typically not rated to handle the amperage this machine requires.
  • Try using the machine on a different outlet, and make sure the machine is the only appliance plugged into that outlet.
• Make sure the power switches are functioning properly and not broken. If the machine isn't powering on try pressing and holding the power button in the on position to see if the machine turns on. If you are able to power the machine in this way then the power switch needs to be replaced.
• If the machine recently had a leak, had water spilled on it, or any other exposure to moisture then the machine may be shorting out. Try letting the machine sit unplugged for 48 hours to make sure there isn't a short caused by moisture.

Brew Not Heating

• Give the machine sufficient time to heat up. A heating time of 20-30 minutes is recommended for prosumer style machines for it to be sufficiently heated for brewing. Make sure the portafilter is attached during heating.
• Make sure the heating indicator is on. If the heating indicator is not on, then the machine will not heat. Typically this light will be off if the machine is out of water or not able to fill the boiler.
• Make sure the brew temperature is programmed to an acceptable temperature. Optimum temperature for brewing is between 195-205 F°. Make sure the PID is programmed to a temperature in this range. Instructions on how to adjust the PID can be found in this machine’s “Adjust the PID” article.
• The high limit switch may be tripped and needs to be reset.
  • First unplug the machine, let it cool off, and then remove the casing.
  • The high limit switch can be found on the brew boiler on the left hand side of the machine once the casing is removed, behind the control board. The high limit switch is circled in red; the red button in the center is the reset. An example of this can be found in the image below.

• • To reset the high limit switch press on the red reset button in the center of the high limit switch several times.
• The heating element may be broken and may require replacement.

Steam Not Heating

• If the machine is producing steam, but you think it's not producing enough steam, make sure that you are purging the line before frothing. To purge the line simply open the steam knob and let steam come through until it changes from mostly water to mostly steam. When steam leaves the boiler and hits the cold wand it is going to condense back into water. If you do not purge the line it will affect the way the steam wand froths.
• Make sure the steam boiler is turned on for the machine. Most prosumer units feature a switch, button, or PID menu option to turn the steam boiler off.
• Give the machine sufficient time to heat up. A heating time of 20-30 minutes is recommended for prosumer style machines for it to be sufficiently heated for brewing. Make sure the portafilter is attached during heating.
• Make sure the heating indicator is on. If the heating indicator is not on, then the machine will not heat. Typically this light will be off if the machine is out of water or not able to fill the boiler.
• Make sure the steam temperature is programmed to an acceptable temperature. Instructions on how to adjust the PID can be found in this machine’s “Adjust the PID” article.
• The high limit switch may be tripped and needs to be reset.
• The heating element may be broken and may require replacement.

On But Not Heating

The tank's level sensor is not compatible with reverse osmosis or zero waters because of their lack of mineral content. The sensor depends on minerals being in the water to pass an electrical signal which tells the machine that water is present in the tank. Waters that don't have enough mineral content will not be able to pass this electrical signal, so the machine will not think water is present, and will not heat as a result.

• If your machine is running off of the reservoir, make sure it is filled with water. Don't use distilled or reverse osmosis water, as the boilers rely on some minerals to detect water level.
• Make sure both the steam and the brew boilers are turned on. Most prosumer machines allow for individual boilers to be turned off for energy efficiency
• The steam boiler takes priority. If the steam boiler isn't heating for some reason, the brew boiler won't heat. Try turning the steam boiler off and see if the brew boiler starts heating.
• There is a loose, disconnected, or broken wire inside the machine. Remove the top of the machine and inspect the wiring.
• The high limit switch of the machine may have tripped.
  • First unplug the machine, let it cool off, and then remove the casing. Instructions on how to do this can be found in this machine’s “Remove the Case” article.
  • There are two high limit switches in the machine.
  • The brew high limit switch can be found on the brew boiler on the left hand side of the machine, behind the control board. The high limit switch is circled in red; the red button in the center is the reset. This is shown in the picture below.

• • To reset the high limit switches press on the red reset button in the center of the high limit switch several times.
• The outlet the machine is plugged into is not rated to handle the power draw of the machine.
• In very rare cases both heating elements will have broken simultaneously. This will happen only if the machine is exposed to a severe power surge.