Hi Scott,

I think I'm trying to do the simplest thing, which is to take an existing, recent, heavy duty power cord that's all hooked up to the machine and terminating it with a three prong 110v plug which loses the box. By using a plug converter, are you talking about converting from 220v back to 110v with some device that travelers use? If that's the case, wouldn't I be adding an unneeded piece of complexity? Not sure if I understand your suggestion. BTW your cartoon is pretty funny!

You might want to drop a note to Doug at Orphan Espresso who has done a ton of such conversions.

Portable GFCIs are good; they can save lives. Fine point; the type that need to be reset everytime they are plugged in have a bit of an advantage, they are fail safe in that if they malfunction they do not power on. I've seen standard GFCI outlets fail with the power still on. A nasty trick on someone who thinks they are protected. Do test them.
KDM

Gary, yes, I am thinking of the thing that travelers use. That is how I power my 220v Caravel. It basically just allows you to plug that plug into a regular outlet. Ultimately, replacement would be best.

BTW, the machine is gorgeous!

Scott's suggestion makes no sense. You'd have connectors in the middle of the cord.

You could probably run the thing with a plug adapter and just turn the pot up full, but that would be inelegant. Just install the plug as intended. Make sure to strip enough insulation for a full wrap around the screw terminals.

The suspense is over! Plug her in ... 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 ...



Plug end installed and connected to portable ground fault



Powering Up!



Manometer starts to climb



Yes, it's a beautiful machine!



A nice way to capp off the evening!



Success, guys! Thanks for all your help!

I was so busy getting her going I forgot to photograph the first pull of Counter Culture Decaf Espresso Rustico. Not great (the coffee's fine) but drinkable, which ain't bad for a first try. And sorry, no latte art, but she's such a powerful dry steamer, and the steam wand is directed to maximize swirling, so she produced a great microfoam.

As she was heating up, water began to drip from the portafilter, which tells me she needs a new gasket. Also the pressure release valve at top didn't release anything the way my Europiccola does, so I want to make sure that's clear and functioning before I fire her up again. I look forward to working backwards to figure out a user's manual, including what that toggle does at the bottom right. I think it's to bring up steam pressure but it's hard to imagine her needing that. Maybe it's to heat water for the tap, which also works, by the way.

Anyway, this was an exciting evening, and I'm delighted to have a working piece of espresso history, not a museum piece whose time has passed!

Cheers!

cafeIKE wrote:Scott's suggestion makes no sense. You'd have connectors in the middle of the cord.

Would you have expected otherwise.

Actually, I was thinking of splicing the cord in the middle. Not elegant, but functional.