Lelit Elizabeth Steam "knob" Mod

A bit of backstory to this mod:

I purchased a Lelit Elisabeth that got damaged in transport and repaired it. That repair included putting a plexiglass cover on the top because the original cup tray looked horrible.

The thing that really annoyed me was the steam knob: it is flimsy, it is ugly and the needle valve type steam knobs just don't cut it in my opinion. you wnat steam to be either on at ful power or off.

A solution was needed. So I went with a solenoid valve (the same valve that is used in the boiler fill and preinfusion circuit) and a push button that pretty much exactly fits the whole of the steam knob and relatively closely resembles the look of the other knobs. I really think it fits the overall style of the machine and te button action steam valve is a game changer in my opinion.

Here is a video of it in action: Lelit elisabeth steam "knob" mod : r/Lelit (reddit.com)

I did not anticipate so many requests for a step by step guide to i reconstruct this, but i did not take pictures along the way. please excuse this. also: i am no native speaker so dont expect shakespear grade instructions :)

please read the full description beforehand so you know what you get yourself into!

Disclaimer:

for this mod you need to get to the mains wiring of the machine, that is done at your own risk and responsibility. If you dont feel safe or qualified dont do it!

If for any reason you should touch the mains voltage, seek medical attention. If complications arise these can take up to 6-8 hours to show, would be uncool if you were sleeping at that time

All you need is available at Aliexpress. please be careful you choose the correct options!

This partlist only applies to the lelit elizabeth the only thing you need to adapt is the pneumatic connectors.

I will add further machines with time. it is so far only comatible with 220 V (only the soleoid is not rated for 120V so if you find one capable of 120V go for it)

apart from the list below you will need

soldering equipment (soldering iron and solder),

electrical tape or even better heat shrink tube

teflon tape

Button:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005617484886.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.69554ae43LGl8P&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

you want 220V, 19 mm, white, fixed self locking

Solenoid:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005137446653.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.57.21ef5c5fhSX6dY&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

Screw:

you need 1 M4 screw with roughly 5 mm length to fix the solenoid, if you have any screw that fits you dont need more than this one. if you dont have one you can buy this for example:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003247777765.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.56b8JGIaJGIaMs&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

Heat resistan wire:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/4000627624331.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu4itemAdapt

2x 18AWG 1m (colour of your choice) 2 different colours of your choice

again if you have any 220V compatible wire, use that you only need maybe 0.8 m total.

Piggyback Spade connectors:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32852510866.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.38.583e5c5fH6aLxk&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

1x 6,3 mm (lot of 10)

you only need 2 so if you already have some piggyback spade connectors you dont need these.

Spade connectors

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006631723950.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.56.583e5c5fH6aLxk&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

1x 6.3 mm (lot of 25x male 25x female 50 sheaths)

you only need 2 female connectors so if you already have some spade connectors you dont need these.

PFTE tubing

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32730855848.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu4itemAdapt

1x 6x4 white

parts from hereon are machine specific so be careful to order the right parts

Parts for the lelit elizabeth mod (verified)

Pneumatic connetors (Stainless) Straight

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002012901783.html? spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.69554ae43LGl8P&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

2x PC6-G01

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005974082095.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.2.57576368wyiVlo&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

1x PC - 6-02 (this needs to be NPT or it wont fit the steam wand) - updated part.

Pneumatic connetors (Stainless) 90°

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002562489012.html? spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.6aeb4ae4uZslnn&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

1x PL6-G01

Parts for lelit Victoria mod (not verfied, parts based on images i found online of the interior)

On your solenoid valve you have to rotate the coil by 90° to make the connections accessible

you might be able to screw the solenoid valve through the slits in the back of the main compartment

Pneumatic connetors (Stainless) 90°

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002562489012.html? spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.6aeb4ae4uZslnn&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

3x PL6-G01

Pneumatic connetors (Stainless) Straight

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002012901783.html? spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.69554ae43LGl8P&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

1x PC6-G02

1. let the machine fully cool off
2. disconncet the power
3. Take off the top cover
4. take off the water tank lid
5. there is three screws inside, unscrew them
6. you can now lift the cover out.
7. pull out the steam knob, just pull on it it will come right off
8. take off steam wand. uncrew from bottom (careful there is a springloaded seal in there)
9. disconnect the 5 mm steam line from the boiler and the steam valve, disconnect silicone tubing (marked red in picture)
10. push on the locking ring and pull the hose out
11. unscrew peumatic connector from the steam boiler
12. take the steam valve assembly out (2 M5 screws to the front and back of the assembly)
13. pull out the silicone tubing going from the valve back to the water tank
14. unscrew the steam valve from the steam wand carrier. use a vise if you have one to hold on to the steam wand carrier by the brass part and unscrew the whole valve.
15. you should have the parts as shown in the image on your desk, these will go aside and you will no longer need them.

This part goes exactly in accordance with what the distriutor telly you to on how to use the buttom. I will use the colours in my description as in the picture substitute colour to your liking.

1. unscrew nut from the button and take off the oring.
2. cut some lengths of wire:
3. 1x red 15 cm and attach (crimp) a female spade connector to one end
4. 1x blue 15 cm and attach (crimp) a female spade connector to one end
5. 1c red 20 cm and attach (crimp) a piggyback spade connector to one end
6. 1x blue 20 cm and attach (crimp) a piggyback spade connector to one end

the 20 cm pieces will be your "source" wires

the 15 cm pieces will be your "device" wires

solder them to the button accordingly and isolate each strand so no accidental contact can. The strand of wires will need to make a relatively sharp bend so start bending all of them in one direction after soldering

1. screw the 90° PL6-G01 connector on the steam boiler (in my image it is straight but you have to bend the hose in a very tight radius)
2. screw the two straight PC6-G01 pneumatic connectors on the two sides of your solenoid
3. screw the straight PC6-G02 connector into the steam wand carrier.
4. reinstall steam wand carrier
5. reinstall steam wand

you should not need any teflon tape because the parts listed in step 1 all come with included seals, but just put some on if they dont seal properly.

now comes the only irreversible part, you need to drill a whole in the back of the casing. you can do this without further disassembly but it can be a lot easier if you take out the water tank carrier out first.

1. take out the water tank
2. take a 4 mm drill and drill a whole in the cover separating the boiler compartment from the water tank compartment. it should be roughly in the middle and at least 2.5 cm from the top of the separator.
3. take you solenoid and install as shown in the image (electrical connectors to the right and screw in the top whole)

now you can cut 2 appropriate lenghts of the 6 mm PTFE tubing and hydraulically connect the whole thing.

the following only applies to the Elizabeth (just skip this on the victoria)

1. One more thing you need to do: there is now a free port in the silicon tubing connector (X shape) you can/ have to take the opportunity to drop the unnecessary second line to the tank now.
2. Cut the line from the tank to the pump where indicated and connect the pump to the free connector on the silicone tubing connector as shown in the image

be careful you dont kink the lines in the process

1. take your button assembly from step 2
2. feed the wire through the steam knob hole.
3. put the oring (that came with the button) and nut over the wires and start fixing the button
4. it takes a bit of trial and error to center the button because it has 1 mm of play in the hole but the oring helps a lot.
5. screw the button tight and feed the wires past the steam tubing.
6. attach the female spade connectors to the solenoid (polarity does not matter)
7. attach the piggy back conncetors to the connections shown in the image (blue and red arrows).

check all electrical and hydraulic connections carefully.

power on the machine and push the button, the valve gives an audible click.

if that is ok put the lid back on and enjoy, you made it through. have fun steaming.

please share images of your mods