I have a dedicated 220VAC outlet at my coffee station that I would like to make use of. Up to now I have not found a 220 VAC machine that will fit comfortably there...there is a wall cabinet there, so there is 18 inches of clearance from the countertop. But, I think the Slayer would fit perfectly there.

I am mainly interested in finding one used, and mainly see the "120VAC" models. I am hoping that a 120 VAC model can be configured for 220 VAC so that I can use the machine at full rated power.

I looked at the Slayer website and see references to both 120 VAC (1.5KW) and 220 VAC (2.4KW). It talks about shipping in a "voltage configuration" which includes the correct plug.

Does anybody know what makes a model 120 VAC versus 220 VAC? I know that other high-end machines, like computers (servers) can be used at either voltage, so am hoping the same is true with this machine.

Thanks!

Andy

I don't know the answer to your question.

My suggestion would be a quick phone call or email. I own a slayer and find their customer support to be fairly good and accurate. Why ask a third party if you can go straight to the source?

peafarmer wrote:Does anybody know what makes a model 120 VAC versus 220 VAC? I know that other high-end machines, like computers (servers) can be used at either voltage, so am hoping the same is true with this machine.

Just call Slayer and ask them. They have sales people. That's the best way to find out.

OK, thanks, guys, will call tomorrow.
Andy

peafarmer wrote:Does anybody know what makes a model 120 VAC versus 220 VAC?

Basically, it's the voltage of the heater elements, pump motor and the transformer or power supply of the control electronics.

Converting any machine that is more complicated than a Europiccola from one voltage to another is a waste of time and money. You're better off getting the machine you want. A slayer even has mixing, so the steam boiler alone has 4 solenoid valves around it.

peafarmer wrote:I have a dedicated 220VAC outlet at my coffee station that I would like to make use of...

I have to ask... why?

Unless you serve multiple "big gulp" lattes in rapid succession, there's little to gain from 220V. As a guy who has his espresso bar wired for one 220V and two 110V espresso machines, I recognize that I'm an outlier.

Thanks, Dan, yes, I think that I am an outlier as well. I am pretty sure that all of the solenoid valves will operate off of 120 regardless of the machine voltage. I really think that this should be something like a switch or jumper wire that has to be moved. I'm still waiting on Slayer for their answer. Stakes are not that high...if it is a PIA I'll just get the 220 volt machine.

peafarmer wrote:I am pretty sure that all of the solenoid valves will operate off of 120 regardless of the machine voltage.

I somehow doubt that one.
I might have to take that back. It looks like the solenoid valves are 24v. No mention of AC or DC.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I talked to the Slayer technical guy this week. The only differences are the heating coils and the power cord. I don't know if that literally means the cord, or just the plug because the flexible cords that I have seen are UL rated to 600 volts. I was hoping that both units would share all the same parts and that the power supply would handle either. But, no such luck.

So, it would be costly and a pain to convert from one voltage to the other. Also, he said that if you did that it would void the warranty. The warranty is only 15 months anyway, so that does not really scare me. But all in all, too much pain to do it.

He also said that the 120 volt machine was for practical purposes just as good, just like some of you said. That made me think: why do they even make the 220 volt machine, then?

But, I went through a lot of trouble to wire in that 20 amp dedicated receptacle, thinking that I could eventually buy a machine to use that power. Was I just stupid to have run that wire? Never mind, rhetorical question.

Thanks,
Andy