Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Since i live in an apartment and the fuses in my fusebox are only 15 or 20amps(and the 20amp fueses seem to be dedicated to the stove) I'm looking for a press that uses a bit less power.
I've found the Mighty Press Porta which only draw 8.5 amps, but is only 11x15 (not a huge issue at the moment). The HIX HSM15 or HT400 only draw 12.5amps as well and are a bit bigger. Has anyone used these presses specifically? I know they're both brands that are recommended, just looking for a second opinion before I make a purchase. The use will be for fashion tees with my own designs, so if I need a smaller press then I'll just make sure to make smaller designs for the time being.
I've found a plug in my apt which seems to be connected to nothing else. So, would a press pulling 12.5amps be too much on a 15amp fuse? or is that plenty of breathing room.
Probably true, but we live in an apartment with 15 amp circuits, too, and we have a HIX HT-400D and we haven't had any problems with circuits blowing as of yet.
You should be fine,, and if not, if you have a washing machine in your apt. that plug is a dedicated 20 amp, you could do your pressing on the washer, trick is not to get a heavy press.
Even though you make reference to 'fuse'. I'd like to think you are referring to a circuit breaker. I say that because if your circuits are in the USA and still utilizing fuses I can't help but think you are operating on old wiring and that concerns me the most. A 12.5 amp draw on a dedicated 15 amp circuit is reasonable.
If amperage is a concern, keep in mind as a general rule the larger the press the greater the current draw. A 12.5 amp press is gonna draw 12.5 when everything within the press is on, it's not like a motor where it will pull more current on start up.
CuttingEdge, it's definitely fuses in my apt (the kind that screw in, like a lightbulb) , not a circuit breaker.
I guess I'll have to talk to the building manager and see if something will work here.
That sounds like the prudent thing to do. The thing I dislike the most about fused circuits is the ease in which anyone can arbitrally(sic) decide a circuit designed for a specified amp throw should now have a larger fuse inserted for whatever reason.
CuttingEdge, it's definitely fuses in my apt (the kind that screw in, like a lightbulb) , not a circuit breaker.
I guess I'll have to talk to the building manager and see if something will work here.
Also, just in case, plug the cord directly into the wall, not an extension cord, not that you said you would.
It's not good for the press, or anything else.
It's been a long time since I've seen the "fuse" types, and they were problematic then, I know ('cause I'm a chicken) I'd unplug it when I wasn't around it very long, just to be safe.
(Those always scared me. heh)
I believe, and I'm a long way from an electrician, but the old fuses also means old wiring, and it might not be strong enough to handle that.
I'm just throwing that out there, it may be, but I know that a lot of people that redo houses replace the wiring I think for that very reason.
At my house, we have circuit breakers, and I've found out the hard way, that I cannot run the clothes dryer or actually much at all throughout the house when I am pressing shirts. I've flipped the circuit breaker probably 3 times or more now, so now I press when everyone else is in bed and not turning on a portable heater, or running the microwave! LOL... I only use one set of fluorescent lights in my work area too, when there are 3 available in the room. I also keep a flashlight on my desk, just in case the circuit breaker flips!
This can't hurt the press, can it?
Also, I do use an extension cord, but it is actually a surge-surpressor built for computers that has a thick heavy cord. So far, I haven't seen any damage to it or the plug for the press. My husband only said he thinks it's heavy enough, when I told him about this thread... Is there any marking on the cord that will say for what amperage it's good for?
At my house, we have circuit breakers, and I've found out the hard way, that I cannot run the clothes dryer or actually much at all throughout the house when I am pressing shirts. I've flipped the circuit breaker probably 3 times or more now, so now I press when everyone else is in bed and not turning on a portable heater, or running the microwave! LOL... I only use one set of fluorescent lights in my work area too, when there are 3 available in the room. I also keep a flashlight on my desk, just in case the circuit breaker flips!
This can't hurt the press, can it?
Also, I do use an extension cord, but it is actually a surge-surpressor built for computers that has a thick heavy cord. So far, I haven't seen any damage to it or the plug for the press. My husband only said he thinks it's heavy enough, when I told him about this thread... Is there any marking on the cord that will say for what amperage it's good for?
What do you guys think?
Melissa
Extension cords that are large enough shouldn't hurt anything, the main thing with them is if they are too long.
Thin cords and long cords constrict the electricity, that's one way of putting it, it may not be what an electrician would call it. heh
Without seeing it, it sounds like you have an O.K. one, but just most appliances that draw a large amount of amps, it's never a good idea to push it.
I don't know why you'd have to have a surge-compressor on your press though, I wouldn't think you'd need one, but I may be wrong, maybe someone here knows.
(I'd look on the back of the surge-compressor though to see how many amps it can pull, if it has that information)
I know enough about electricity to stay away from it, so take that into consideration.
I'm like you though, sometimes if the microwave or the dishwasher is going, 'sometimes', not always, but it has tripped the breaker.
I just make sure it's all O.K. first, then go ahead.
I would make sure your wiring is rated for 15 amps. Doesn't matter what the circuit breaker or fuse is. If the wiring is only rated for 10 amps and you push 12.5 amps through the wiring then you have a recipe for disaster. This will cause excessive heat in the wire (since it is creating resistance from being too small). So then two things happen - your wire melts the insulation and shorts out causing a fire.
If your house still has fuses then it could also still have knob and tube wiring. This type of wiring usually doesn't have insulation (if it does or did it probably has fallen off) and lays right on top of the lumber of the house separate by a porcelain "knob". So if you really heat this wire up (too many amps than what it's rated for) then you have a real good chance of burning the place up too.
A Question of Power 
