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rondani · Jul 9, 2015, 02:55 PM

I need to rewire a 220 Italian coffee maker to a 110. I think I have enough basic experience to do this if someone out there could describe what I
Need to do?
Best Regards, Rondoni

Oraclepromotion · Jul 9, 2015, 03:14 PM

You can buy a 220v to 110v converter for $10

https://www.google.com/#q=220v+to+110v+small+appliance

Sears.com

http://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Conver.../dp/B000VUCKOI

hkstroud · Jul 9, 2015, 03:20 PM

Sorry, but it ain't going to work.

Alty · Jul 9, 2015, 04:40 PM

Been there, done that. My parents bought an electronic machine (can't remember what it's called) in Germany. Got home and realized it wouldn't work with our plug in.

Converters work. I'm sure they've gotten better since the 1980's when my parents bought one to use this machine. I do remember that we couldn't leave it plugged in for too long, it would overheat. But like I said, I'm sure it's gotten better since the 80's. :)

smoothy · Jul 9, 2015, 05:38 PM

Converters work for LOW current devices... a coffee maker is anything BUT a LOW current device.

You might get by with a heavy expensive transformer... I doubt most if any inverter based converters will handle the current load you need. And you are unlikely to be rewiring it to make it work... particularly for a consumer grade product.

Fr_Chuck · Jul 9, 2015, 06:27 PM

A converter, takes the higher voltage and makes it the lower voltage, it would allow a US 120 coffee maker to work in Germany.

No, the German coffee maker will not work, unless you run a 220 volt line to the kitchen to use. The elements in the coffee maker will not get hot enough from the 120 voltage.

Some, electric items will say they are wired for both. (my American computer charger, and my American electric razar) Some of the Chinese electrics I buy, are also made to work on either but would just need a plug adapter.

My guess, from all the electronics I use, all over the world, it will not work.

Alty · Jul 9, 2015, 08:37 PM

Raclet (sp?) That's the machine my parents bought. It's a skillet with two tiers, one to cook eggs, potatoes, whatever you want, and then a second tier with trays to melt the cheese you're going to top the top tier items with.

They bought this in Germany in the 80's, brought it to Canada, got a converter, and yes, we used it successfully.

But based on all the other posts, the technology we had in the 80's is no longer available now in 2015.

Not an expert in this, but it seems a bit hard to believe that my parents could buy a converter in the 80's for a cooking device. And in 2015 it can't be done.

Please explain why.

smoothy · Jul 9, 2015, 10:41 PM

In the 80's Most converters were Transformers... these days they are inverters... (in laymans terms, that electronically simulate a transformer and then some) they are cheaper to make (a LOT cheaper) factoring the stellar costs of copper wire needed in bulk for transformers. But are usually for light duty applications, meaning something under a few hundred watts... and coffee machines are usually significantly higher than that.

Bigger ones (converters)do exist... but those are the ones that can be pricey, more so than the items they are meant to be used with.

hkstroud · Jul 10, 2015, 04:43 AM

Smoothy
I thought inverters converted DC to AC. At least, that's what the one in my truck does.

drtom4444 · Jul 10, 2015, 07:28 AM

Inverters convert DC to AC and are for light duty applications, usually. What you could do is check with the manufacturer and see if they have a 120 volt element for that coffee maker. Then you could also change out things like the light bulb that indicates that the coffee is done. The element is probably the cheapest way to go. Manufacturers make units for several voltages, and being in Europe it's almost certain that this company does, too. It is also possible that the element can be replaced by a generic element that you can buy here.

smoothy · Jul 10, 2015, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Smoothy
I thought inverters converted DC to AC. At least, that's what the one in my truck does.

Slip of the tongue... hard to put things in laymans terms like I was trying sometimes. Though there is an inversion process when frequency conversion also occurs. One example...TIG welders work that way. (meaning use a similar theory and technology, one where a lot of parameters can be manually manipulated))