120Volt 160W Coffee grinder

TOP_CAT

I have a USA  120v 160watt Bodum coffee grinder which Im not certain if its working or not .
I need to test it somehow but dont want to blow it or anything else .

The only step down transformer I have is a AUTOTRANSFORMER model SC5327 Input 220/240   Output 110/120   Max Load 30va (which I assume is for usa electric shavers etc)

I havent tried using this small stepdown transformer  on the coffee grinder as assume VA30  means  30 watts and the coffee grinder is 160watts and it wont end well at all .

Is it possible to test the coffee grinder without a expensive high watt stepdown transformer ?

pbartlett

The title says 160A but I am assuming it is 160W !!

The autotransformer won't be able to supply the current as it is only 30W as you say. 

You could check your local garage repair shop they may have a 110v supply and may be kind enough to test for you. 

Otherwise, wait until your next holiday - I mean vacation - in the States.

TOP_CAT

Yes thats a typo in the title which is now corrected

If the 160w grinder was plugged in using the small 30va stepdown transformer at what point would it or both items go up in smoke ?
When it was grinding coffee beans or soon as power was switched on but not grinding beans ?

pbartlett

The grinder will try to draw enough current to drive the motor. It won't be able to thus the motor will not turn. The grinder won't be affected. Hopefully the transformer is designed with protection so this won't go up in smoke either.

If the alternative is to bin it, you could try connecting to 240v mains for a very short time - just flick the plug switch on and off - see if the motor turns. At your own risk of course. Others on here may agree or advise against this.

matelodave

I suggest that you dont try it with the small transformer - it could either go up in smoke or if you are lucky blow a fuse.

30va is about 1/3rd of an amp at 110v whereas 160watts = about 1.5 amps at 110v. However a motor can take 3-4 times that to start it running so you could end up trying to draw 5 amps albeit for a very short time through the transformer windings.

In the worst case the motor wont even start and the transformer winding would just burn out because the motor would look like a short circuit across the transformer until it starts to turn.

Thats why you need a decent sized generator or transformer to cope with the starting current when using electric motors.

forgotmyname

160 watts through a sub 30 watt transformer what can possibly go wrong?

Depending on the grinder internals that 30 watts maybe reduced to as little as 15 watts, or
somewhere between the two numbers. far short of what is required.

[Deleted User]

Also be mindful of the US being 60Hz vs 50Hz in the UK so the grinder will operate at a slower speed unless you get a fancy inverter that will convert to 60Hz as well. 

Not sure how well the grinder will perform at only 80% of normal speed but worth thinking about. 

TOP_CAT

I wont be trying to use it ..no point in causing any electrical issues .
Although I wish I knew someone who could test it with a suitable transformer ..thats probably unlikely ..

[Deleted User]

How does £17 or less sound to test it then and then re-sell the item on ebay - probably re-coup a tenner at least?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393410135820

TOP_CAT

Thats about the only option at this point .

If it works I have coffee beans to grind which at present Im just using a hand grinder with .

pbartlett

or alternatively you fork.out less on a 240v version!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Noiseless-Portable-Nuts【Lifetime-Warranty】/dp/B07MHG85SM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=coffee+bean+grinder+electric&qid=1625594645&sprefix=coffe+bean+grinder&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3DUUFS0CM6XH5&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWkU3UTRMNVZRR1VMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTA3Njg4MUNUNzZaMzk1RzI1TSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI3NDIwM1JHQ1hFTTlZWUNNVSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl