grog wrote:Well, I'm looking at vintage levers that I keep on for maybe 30 minutes at a time. Sounds like even that might be pushing it? I've run a Caravel with original (for 220v) wiring with a 110v element for close to four years now with no issues, but I rarely have it going for longer than 20 minutes. Right now I have been running an early 60s 220v Europiccola on 110v, also typically no longer than 20-30 min.

I left my 110v converted Caravel on for about 9 hours by forgetting to unplug it once. I wouldn't do it on purpose, but it was fine. But it's hard to get much simpler than a Caravel, so most anything else probably has a few more potential failure points with the change in current.

That is obvious. There are labels on these machines that specify the line voltage design point. If someone does not have a firm grasp as to all the interesting and potentially exciting things that happen when you deviate from the nameplate specified voltage and frequency they should not deviate. Step up-step down transformers that are actually rated for 1-1.5 KVA are not that expensive and if you happen to be unfortunate and burn your house down the insurance fire inspector may decide that your policy does not cover your loss.

I was actually going to start a thread with a very similar question but I'll post it here.

We have a 220v ECM Laura A2(a 2 group commercial) that we are building a mobile cart for and are going to use it for catering events (weddings, conferences, etc.). We have a contract in the works with a catering company and the only question I really have is how to power everything. Obviously grinders, water supply, won't be a problem. So my question is really how do I power the espresso machine. I would imagine a step down converter would work just fine but I'm honestly electric ignorant. So, is that the best solution? Simply get a step down converter rated well above the wattage use? All of these events will be held in doors and at the same location. I would hate to ask the catering company to put in a 220V outlet just for me. They are already doing so much for us. They have 220V outlets in the kitchen but they are well off from where the espresso cart will be.

A transformer, which is what you want and not one of those 120-240 auto voltage regulators, must have a nameplate wattage rating of 1.5 times the nameplate ratings of your total 220v loads. If it is only a single espresso machine than it will be 1.5 times that watt rating. When checking, calculating the 110v load you want to total up all your loads and use P=EI or P/E=I to estimate the 110 v breaker size. By using watts you will not have to delve into the various conversions to calculate current at 220 and convert to current at 110. I suspect you are going to run into 120vAC breaker imposed limits and most 120VAC circuits have 15A breakers and then adding extension cords further limits the available current/power, nominal max watts available on the 120v/15a circuit is 1800W.

That Laura A2 is like 4000+ watts, no? If so I think for sure you are going to need a 220V circuit to feed that beast. Let the electrician advise after looking at what you plan to plug into it.

That's why I was asking. I simply just know nothing about this sort of thing. It's definitely 4000+ watts. I don't know exactly, it's at the shop right now and can't remember.

I toyed with the idea of getting a GS3 to make electricity a non issue but I just love the ECM and it's a classy looking machine, and two groups will help a lot. Plus it's just sitting on the cart in my shop not being used. That's such a waste!

I suppose I will talk to my catering contact and see what we can do! I'm sure they won't mind.... I'm building the cart to stay put in their space, so I'll just offer to pay to get it out in. Thank you guys for the advice!

CwD wrote:I left my 110v converted Caravel on for about 9 hours by forgetting to unplug it once. I wouldn't do it on purpose, but it was fine. But it's hard to get much simpler than a Caravel, so most anything else probably has a few more potential failure points with the change in current.

The problem here too is that the absence of evidence if not evidence of absence...that things did not go haywire just proves that it can be OK but not that it can't go horribly wrong.

I left my faemina on for a couple of hours, 220@220v but I hope that I never do that again....cooked dry and veeeery hot, in the end only the top rod seal was shot but the beast smelled as if it was red hot....

If you don't want to install a 240v outlet and you have a step up transformer already, you could hide the transformer underneath the counter in a cabinet and snake the cord up somehow. I've heard of this as a way to hide the "ugly black box"

Marcelnl wrote:The problem here too is that the absence of evidence if not evidence of absence...that things did not go haywire just proves that it can be OK but not that it can't go horribly wrong.

I left my faemina on for a couple of hours, 220@220v but I hope that I never do that again....cooked dry and veeeery hot, in the end only the top rod seal was shot but the beast smelled as if it was red hot....

One thing to remember is that Caravel uses an element external to the boiler, so is always 'dry'. The Faemina is an immersive element, which does not like to be run dry.

As to the OP's situation. If the cart is going to be parked in the same location, and it sounds like it's a hall with a commercial kitchen, an electrician may be able to run EMT to the cart for the 240. This could also be easily removed later if need be.

As it is a commercial application, probably best to see what the local codes dictate.

That I indeed did not know about the caravel. Agree that for commercial use you want to stick to the regulations, especially in the UNited States of liability...

Today I ran the femina dry, but was saved by the GFCI (or whatever the abbreviation is) coming down after half an hour (my GF offered to switch it on this morining but forgot to check the water level) and fearing the worst when I noticed the power aas off everything turned out to be just fine...even my high end 230v fuse (made during the first full moon of spring by virgin elves using unobtanium) was OK