setting up mobile machine

kjo

can anyone tell me if I need to, and if so, how to modify a 2 group espresso machine to enable me to transport unit and use it at different events, other than having to buy a van with all the ancilliarys. eg I want to be able to put unit on a trolley or benchtop. what is needed to do this and what should I be looking for in a second hand machine.
would I be best to buy machine with a bain marie tank? how easy is it to connect machine to various water supplies?sorry if my questions are basic knowledge but I am new to this.
many thanks

[deleted]

most machines will suck water from a drum under the bench. an inline filter is good. i have found my older manual machine to be more reliable than the automatic which i also use. power surges/fluctuations at events can be very destructive to electronic components (try $800 for a new control board!). an older manual machine has little or no electronics.

john_2

If sucking from a drum, don't forget the backflow valve!!! JD

FreshCoffee2

If you buy a machine with an internal water reservoir such as you mentioned, you will end with a small capacity 1 group machine which means, you will only have very small capacity for doing "events". If you are only planning to do small events then so be it and you will even be able to lift it in and out of your van by yourself...but it will only bring you small returns. By far the most common size machine to use would be a 2 group jobbie and as far as I know they all require a water connection OR to be run out of an external reservoir say under the bench...in which case read on. Stay away from "old" coffee machines. They cost less but result in you buying someone else

kjo

thanks for your reply. I'll call karen