Need insight with 220v Europiccola to be used in US

[Tom@Steve'sEspresso]

Hi all,
Great forum here, have been reading for quite a while but now I need some help-please.
I've been looking for a lever for more than a few years and I just managed to get one off Ebay this week. And it was right here in Phoenix. It's a 220 volt brass/copper EP-8 of undetermined age. The serial number is gone and I measured the grouphead filter to be a 49mm.

Does this machine have a thermostat? There is "an object" in the middle of the element that I don't recognize as a pressurestat so I guess it is the thermo. Also, what would be entailed if I decide to convert over to 110volt? I'm thinking for the moment to leave the voltage alone. In the meantime, I'm ordering a portafilter, base, drip tray and sight glass and hope to have it going by next week.

Thanks for the help.
Tom

[SantoSerafino]

I think getting a transformer that can handle the wattage makes more sense. I have one for my 220v Caravel and it's great to have the thing working as intended.

As I understand it, to truly convert (rather than just put up with slow heat times and possible non-functioning of other electric parts) you have to replace the element and possibly other parts to work on 110, and this, if it can be done at all, is likely to be expensive.

[HB]

You could get away with replacing only the heating element since the only other electrical elements are the lights. They'll just be a bit dim at 110V. That's one the beauties of levers - they're simple.

[SantoSerafino]

FWIW the light on my Caravel did not work until I put the machine on the transformer. Fluke? Something to do with a bulb intended to last a long time? I haven't a clue.

[donn]

I got a Todd Systems SU-19 step up transformer.

[stefano65]

Heating element
cord ( for US plug)
get also a new heating element gasket

[SantoSerafino]

My transformer is a 7 Star (the one Orphan Espresso sells).

[hperry]

I've had excellent results using the transformer supplied by Orphan Espresso on my Caravel.

[Psyd]

Also, what would be entailed if I decide to convert over to 110volt?

If you're planning on using the thing in your kitchen, and not moving around with it a bunch, I'd stick with the 220V. It's not that difficult (unless you're renting) to get it, and occasionally you can find it where the dryer, the oven, the water heater or the (but rarely) dishwasher plug in. If you want to travel with it, all bets are off. Go with the 110V...

[Stuggi]

Find a outlet that has three-phase, and use one of the phases as neutral and one as hot, and hey presto, 220V, or at least if I've understood US wiring correctly. Someone how as actually seen a US power outlet might wanna chime in before you do anything...

[Psyd]

Yeah, that could work, but there is very little three-phase in the US that isn't applied to some sort of industry. Mostly the connectors for such things come in large and individual connections, and tapping into it would eventually tick off someone, and probably someone buff and quick to anger. 220V goes to every home (give or take a percentage point) in the US, as two sides of a center-tapped transformer (110V per side). Ignore the center tap and you're right back at the originally transmitted 220V.
And you'd be at 208V off of the three phase, not that it wouldn't work.

[mercurio-milano]

I always had [or to be honest did myself] a dedicated 220v. outlet installed [same as stove or electric resistance heater voltage], that also serviced a BRAUN grinder / mixer from 'Old Europe'.

[zubinpatrick]

more recent kitchen's may have 220 if you use the two legs of a split receptacle on the counter. This would require changing the receptacle and using a electrician or someone who knows what they were doing. That being said I would do it, and if the 2 110 legs in the receptacle were the same phase one could be changed in the main panel.

[Stuggi]

Easiest thing would be to use a multimeter to first find the live prongs in two nearby outlets, and then measure between them to see if they are on two different phases, and then wire an euro outlet to two US cables. This would probably be very dangerous and probably illegal as well, but it would work. But if you would turn one of the plugs the outlet would be back to 110V...

[Stuggi]

Yeah, that could work, but there is very little three-phase in the US that isn't applied to some sort of industry. Mostly the connectors for such things come in large and individual connections, and tapping into it would eventually tick off someone, and probably someone buff and quick to anger. 220V goes to every home (give or take a percentage point) in the US, as two sides of a center-tapped transformer (110V per side). Ignore the center tap and you're right back at the originally transmitted 220V.
And you'd be at 208V off of the three phase, not that it wouldn't work.

208V would most certainly work since in our home the voltage varies from 210V to 225V depending on where you are, induction between nearby phases etc.

[Psyd]

if the 2 110 legs in the receptacle were the same phase one could be changed in the main panel.

This could lead to quite a few difficulties, as kitchen wiring can be share among receptacles. It isn't always, but it is in my kitchen. You'd have to be fairly sure that the split recept that you're considering is home-run back to the breaker with no short stops on the way or beyond the box for both hot leads.

208V would most certainly work since in our home the voltage varies from 210V to 225V depending on where you are, induction between nearby phases etc.

It could be the US English to Dutch translation, but that's what I meant by "And you'd be at 208V off of the three phase, not that it wouldn't work." Sorry about the colloquial double negative. ; >

[Stuggi]

I'm not sure about what you mean by US English to Dutch, but it seems as if I didn't read you post well enough. Seems to happen quite often to me (can I have something to do with the fact that I get to speak English like 2 times per year ^^)...

[Tom@Steve'sEspresso]

Hmm, I think I'll play it safe for me and my machine and get a transformer. I'll take all these suggestions under advisement. Thanks all.

Tom

[donn]

Good thinking! Some of these suggestions were not really serious ... I hope.

[Tom@Steve'sEspresso]

Just an update...After much more research and thought, I decided that it was more cost effective to just swap out the element for a 110. And after a quick reconnect and a Euro plug adapter I'm happy to say that my Pavoni works! There were a few doubts and a few more tweaks to be made( addition of a real fuse) but it fired up on both settings. First thing tomorrow morning I'm zipping over to my friend's wood shop to have him spin me off a nice woodie tamper. Then I can start practicing lever technique. So thanks for the input, however relevant it may have been....