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Skywalker, the ALM chinese one pound roaster
JeffCT
Top  #326 Print Post
Posted on 05/26/2025 11:57 AM
Didn’t see an attachment but think I found the relevant picture on FB. I roast about 350g every 5 days.

Pretty much decided to buy this. Unless another in this price range is recommended. Smola looks 220v only (I’m in the U.S.).

P.S. What does ALM mean?
 
renatoa
Top  #327 Print Post
Posted on 05/26/2025 2:12 PM
Poor man... slang smile

Picture was too big, now succeeded
~~~
renatoa attached the following image:
499869261_10161358730231218_3002942481162466173_n.jpg
 
JeffCT
Top  #328 Print Post
Posted on 06/03/2025 5:33 AM
So have they worked out safety issues? I’ve been reading reviews and note many with melted or burning units? Any updates on reliability?
 
renatoa
Top  #329 Print Post
Posted on 06/03/2025 7:02 AM
Those were first batches, from start, in November 2023, until march-April 2024.

Now all units have overheating protection... that some people disables, not allowing them to roast dark enough Grin
Still there are open issues not addressed, imo... the control board heatsink is still too small for 115V units, good only for 230V units.
Also, preheat regime is not optimal for lamp life, and control board overheating.

Anyway, is more a matter of understanding machine operation, to avoid overheating... not about being protected.
Tripping protection means a batch lost, not a pleasure...

Also. no protection save you from chaff burning, for example...
 
JeffCT
Top  #330 Print Post
Posted on 06/04/2025 5:40 AM
Does v2 address these? Or just get v1 and pay attention…and modify for Artisan later?
 
renatoa
Top  #331 Print Post
Posted on 06/04/2025 9:22 AM
You can even use the V1 manually, with factory control panel, but in a wiser way, that eliminates all the hassle.
Just not force the machine in preheat in a regime out of the limits during a normal roast.
For example, if in a roast you will never exceed 80% power and not going lower than 40% air, use these values for preheat too.
The 80% power will lower the control board temperature by some dozens degrees, and the 40% air will prolong the map life.

No idea if V2 has these parameters available as user settings.
 
renatoa
Top  #332 Print Post
Posted on 06/06/2025 4:36 AM
Here is a fresh video, thanks to the Precision roasters guys, showing how to replace the "safety" thermostat, introduced to models manufactured after March-April 2024:



Depending on purpose, you can "replace" by remove/disable it... on your own risk Grin
This make sense for those intending to go hotter than 220C with their charcoal production Shock.
 
renatoa
Top  #333 Print Post
Posted on 06/16/2025 6:10 AM
The new little brother, sampler intended, 200 grams model of Skywalker, named Nova, launched silently and available for purchase: https://www.aliex...35614.html

Slightly more pictures and details on ITOP site:
www.itopcafe.com/...ee-roaster

Who expected connectivity and other bells and whistles straight from the factory... sweet dreams... are made of this... what we get is the basic panel from V1.
As well hopes that the price would be lower, proportional to the machine size/capacity... is close to V1.

However, they managed to add a cooler, as a bonus. The original design was exhibited without cooler.

Also, there is unclear if the "dust" filter is now fixed, or removable ... so another hassle to clean in addition, or to puzzle over how to dismantle it, without affecting the rest too much... on V1 after 10 roasts it gets clogged.
I can't even see from the images if a pipe can be adapted to the exhaust.

The biggest novelty, however, is the drum... or rather lack of... too small space forced them to switch to an agitator solution, without a drum, but using some kind of stirring blades.
Which also creates more space between the beans bed and the lamp, a good thing.
Plus, the blade shaft seems to have bearing support at both ends, not suspended end like the drum on the V1/V2.

Also, a change in airflow... apparently bigger exhaust hole, plus the fact that chaff is now exhausted, not let it fall in a collect drawer, suggest that now we have a more seriously airflow inside the machine... without the evidence of cool air inlet, and the trail.

Nothing about the sensor placement or other constructive details, until the first one appears in skilled hands.
Edited by renatoa on 06/16/2025 6:15 AM
 
renatoa
Top  #334 Print Post
Posted on 06/16/2025 12:45 PM
Looking at itop pictures I am a bit confused about changes in the thermal model of the little brother roaster.
There is no chaff collecting tray... also we see clear enough a bigger exhaust hole than the previous models... and a chaff collector on the back, on the exhaust path
These details suggest pretty clear that now chaff is exhausted together with gases and smoke... which implies stronger airflow than before. Significantly stronger...

And now questions:
- Anyone able to locate the air inlet ?
- Is the incoming air heated somewhat?
- Is the user prohibited, through a machine setting, from reducing the air below a minimum value that ensures the evacuation of the chaff? Else, reducing air too low will not let chaff evacuate, will burn inside, and the smell of burnt chaff is something nobody want to experience... Burning jalapeno is just a prelude to chaff burning... Shock

I would not plan any acquisition of this machine until these are clarified.
 
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