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Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

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  • Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

    Im considering a move to the US and am wondering if a VBM Domobar Super and Mazzer Major-e could work under the US voltages?

  • #2
    Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

    Depends  :-/

    Like down converters this end you can get the reverse from 110 to 240. Also some places also have 220V outlets installed for higher power items (not common). Also you had best check out that the machine will run on 60 Hz too (critical).

    Weigh how long you are going for and if it is over a year buy there I reckon and sell before you leave rather than muck around shipping and converting etc.

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    • #3
      Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

      Im with bf,

      It will be easier to sell here and buy there and vice versa on your way back if its return. Buy stuff which is in high demand and it will sell rapidly with minimal losses.

      Chris

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      • #4
        Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

        I thought most laundries in America had 220 v sockets for washers and driers.

        Id also check frequency of voltage.

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        • #5
          Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

          Check the plate on your current machines that tell you the voltage etc. You might be lucky with your grinder in that it runs on 50/60hz but you would still need a 220v supply.

          Im in the sell here and buy there camp. Should be cheaper over there anyway.

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          • #6
            Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

            Thanks for the replies. I checked both grinder and machine and both say 240v / 50hz. Is that a no go?

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            • #7
              Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

              Perhaps Javaphile can offer some more information, but as I understand, USA 240V is 2 x 120V hot and and an earth. Frequency is 60Hz.

              Your machine will most likely be 230V (or 220, or 220-240, or 240) 50Hz.

              I am no sparkie, but in general, stuff designed for 50Hz is not too keen on 60Hz. The motor of your grinder in particular will not be too happy.

              I think you would be better to sell up and save on the all too frequent risk of getting it trashed in shipment as well as the costs incurred to move the gear.

              In addition, itll save you having to move the washing machine and dryer to the kitchen

              2mcm

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              • #8
                Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                Based on my experience with variable speed drives the grinder motor would be ok at the higher frequency for domestic grinder (higher speed and power) use but as it is an electronic version it would need looking at more carefully. If it was a manual I would take it.

                Same thing goes for the machine electronics most of the electrical components will be fine on the higher frequency but the elecronics will really need to be checked.

                If you are going just for a bit buy yourself a Pavoni and a hand grinder when you get there and just change the element when you get back for another toy 8-)

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                • #9
                  Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                  KISS = Get units locally for lots of reasons


                  Voltage is one thing... Hz is much more complicated

                  1: Ya grinder may be OK on a US 240V system at 60hz for short periods - It really comes down to the full specs of the mother windings etc..

                  (Assuming no fancy electric control)

                  2: As to ya machine... Gets messy as Heating elements will perform differently as well as solenoids and any other item, that is dependant on HZ... Thus should it not smoke after switch on etc... Then you will need it to be fully serviced / calibrated - As flow rates/ heating specks etc etc will all be different.

                  For me personally; I would not even entertain the thought of moving the equipment... But I would be watching and monitoring the Coffee Geek site for pre loved and what specials might be going...

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                  • #10
                    Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                    Originally posted by 18475F494249454C4C4F4F474B442A0 link=1288584838/6#6 date=1288648915
                    In addition, itll save you having to move the washing machine and dryer to the kitchen
                    Haha, good one ;D

                    Looks like the consensus here is that buying the equipment there is the go. Is coffee equipment there roughly half the price it is here? Would I need to offload them before I return to Australia?

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                    • #11
                      Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                      Originally posted by 5E584B5B585E5C390 link=1288584838/9#9 date=1288678063
                      Would I need to offload them before I return to Australia?
                      Erm yes....perhaps if you re-read over this thread, you will see why :

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                      • #12
                        Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                        Originally posted by 393E3A353D372232353C5B0 link=1288584838/7#7 date=1288649360
                        the grinder motor would be ok at the higher frequency for domestic grinder (higher speed and power)
                        Higher speed, yes but not more power. The power output will actually decrease by about 20% due to increased impedance of the motor windings. Jamming of the grinder rotor would be a definite possibility....

                        Mal.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                          Originally posted by 1D30343835590 link=1288584838/11#11 date=1288703312
                          more power
                          Should have been clearer meant more power required rather than more motor power available.

                          Originally posted by 3E382B3B383E3C590 link=1288584838/9#9 date=1288678063
                          Would I need to offload them before I return to Australia?
                          Unless you buy a really simple machine like I indicated above (Pavoni) where the changes are minimal and affordable to convert to 240V.

                          Either that or there is a $tarbucks on every corner

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                          • #14
                            Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                            I have moved the other way - states to Australia and have been running my Mazzer SJ on a step down transformer, every day for the last three years with never a problem. We also brought most of our kitchen appliances - bread maker, food processor, mixer and blender and they all work fine. The only thing Im not 100% sure of is the timer on the bread machine seems to run a little slow.
                            The reason we brought the stuff with us was that second hand equipment is worthless, and buying new stuff quickly adds up.

                            Im not sure where abouts you are going in the states, but in the three apartments I lived in, in New York I never saw a 220V outlet anywhere.

                            That all said I did use the move and voltage as an excuse to talk the wife into upgrading to a Faema e98 compact

                            These are just my experiences, but figured they were worth sharing, give me a pm if you have any questions and good luck with the move.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Relocating to US. Can my machine come with me?

                              I can confirm that, as stated earlier in the thread, US 220v sockets are two live phases and a ground pin. Most houses & duplexes have such sockets and I ran several UK appliances successfully. I was always a little uncomfortable about the safety of the setup though. Apartments generally dont have such sockets.
                              A lot of transformers are designed to work as both step up and step down. I bought one before moving US to NZ to run the few US appliances we didnt sell.
                              Cost of the transformer for a high power appliance like an espresso machine is going to be high and you will likely be better off selling and replacing

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