Barista lights/led lights Has anyone tried the espresso parts kit?

I've recently acquired a GB5, and am thinking about adding the so called "barista lights" La Marzocco is now offering from the factory.  In my space the work surface of the machine is quite dark so some illumination would be much appreciated.  Has anyone tried the kit from Espressoparts?  Is it any different from Marzocco's factory treatment?  Are there any other solutions you've been satisfied with?

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The "Kit" from EP includes Tir-star LED lights and a transformer. Wiring is up to the installer, as each install differs. Utilizing the Barista Light wiring diagram from LM USA helps thoiugh.

Terry Z
Terry;
Do you all include the LM barista light wiring diagram? What do you reccomend for wiring? Can you include it in the "Kit"?

Thanks
Stephen

Terry Z said:
The "Kit" from EP includes Tir-star LED lights and a transformer. Wiring is up to the installer, as each install differs. Utilizing the Barista Light wiring diagram from LM USA helps thoiugh.

Terry Z

  The Barista Lights are Way Cool! They are one of the most aesthetic modifications one can do to

"light up the party" so to speak. Along with being functional, giving the Barista a lighted work space

in which to observe his or her creations, it just adds a lot of cool too.

Dude, it make the machine look like a spaceship and stuff! Just kidding :) I highly recommend them. 

Now, dollar wise, the EP kits are a less expensive, are they as good as the La Marzocco ones? Probably,

but if voiding your warranty is an issue I would stick with the factory parts. If not, then whatever your pleasure. 

To my tastes, the problem with any of these kits are LEDs themselves.  Even the ones touted as "white" tend to have a blue hue to them - meaning that it's slightly more difficult to gauge the colors.

 

I modified our LM Linea 3AV six years ago using DC-powered halogen lamps that are mounted on the chassis of the machine behind the front fascia.  Slots were cut into the bottom of the fascia to allow the lights to illuminate the drip tray and the lights were wired into the factory harness to switch on and off when brewing the coffee.  It's very trick.

 

The halogens provide great illumination and the ideal color temperature for viewing the espresso.  In the image in the link, you'll also see blue LEDs mounted to the underside of the chassis for a touch of Bling.

 

http://onocoffee.blogspot.com/2005_02_04_archive.html

There are some really cool gooseneck LED lights with USB connectors.

You can get a 115v outlet USB connector ...plug that in.

Connect a couple of the USB lights to it and presto for about $50 ...

And there is no direct connect or mod, so no problems with warranty.

Google Gooseneck LED USB light ...

Jay,

That bright white light looks great coming down next to the group heads.  Did you buy a kit or separate parts and where did you get them?  I'd like to follow your lead.  

Thanks,
Steve 

Steven-

 

It's a complete custom job I designed myself.  Halogen bulbs from Home Depot, bulb mounts from a local lighting house, custom designed mounting hardware (essentially long screws through one of the support beams with nuts and washers to hold everything in place, relays to switch the lights on/off, an outboard AC/DC converter and then wiring it all together using the factory wiring harness to actuate the relays.

 

I have the lighting installed on the 3AV and our 2AV (though I must say that the 2AV job incorporates a couple more "trick" features on the install because I learned from the first).


Steven Kachocki said:

Jay,

That bright white light looks great coming down next to the group heads.  Did you buy a kit or separate parts and where did you get them?  I'd like to follow your lead.  

Thanks,
Steve 

Jay,

Thanks.  That helps.  I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 1990 1Gr Linea and have been looking into lighting it.  I've looked into LEDs but wasn't convinced they were what I wanted to use.  I think you've helped me with the right solution.

Thanks

Steve

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