SSJ

Hi everyone. First I wanted to say "Thanks" -- I've learned so much from reading through the messages on this forum. Now we're kind of stuck and so this is my first post.

We recently got a 16x24" press with a PID digital temperature control unit. And it just won't heat up past about 105 degrees C (221 F) even after being on for hours. It heats up very, very slowly and then settles at about 100 C. I don't understand any of the PID settings, but the manufacturer assures us that everything is as it should be -- just set the working temperature we want.

We were upgrading from a 15x15" press (same maker) with a non-digital controller, and that one heated up just fine... and much quicker.

The press is designed for the US market which is at 120V (plus or minus) but we're in Japan with 100V. In theory the press should heat up a bit more slowly, but it should still be able to reach the correct operating temperature eventually.

Now, they're suggesting we buy a step up transformer... but those cost over $200 and there's no guarantee that it'll even solve the problem. So I'm looking for a second opinion, or two or three.

More info... maybe relevant?

Both presses are rated at 1800W. The building wiring is actually only rated to 1500W, but the 15x15" didn't exhibit any problems.

We have a monitor that shows how much current is being used in the building and when we switched on the 15x15" press it would draw a fair amount of current. The new press hardly draws anything, which I'm sure has something to do with why it doesn't heat up.

Is it the low voltage? Or a controller setting? Or not enough wattage?

Thanks.

 

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PrintMonkey

Not enough power.
You know have a bigger surface to heat up and without the right power
coming in it might never reach operating temperature.

M

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SSJ

Hi, PrintMonkey, and thanks for the reply.

Would a voltage transformer solve the problem?

 

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jdr8271

I think it is probably the machine that is broken..not the power. Did the lights in the room/house flicker when you ran the heat press. If not, thats probably not the case. You are technically supposed to run a heat press on a dedicated line though.

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SSJ

No, no lights flickering or anything. The press just doesn't seem to be drawing very much current at all no matter what.

I thought it might be a protective voltage drop to prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, so I tried plugging it into the outlet for our air conditioner -- which is on a separate circuit and rated at 20A 110V (2200 watts)... but the press still only draws a trickle of power and won't really heat up.

 

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PrintMonkey

Circuit board in the control unit could be bad.
New press, right? Still under warranty? Have them send a new circuit board.
Should be easy to swap out.

M

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Don

If you know anyone who is an electrican, you can borrow a voltage checker and it simply clips around the cord goint from the press to the outlet and has a scale that will read how much voltage is being drawn. Check it and the 15 X 15. I would give odds the 15 is drawing more voltage which would tell you it's the press. JMO. Have a BLESSED week.
God Bless You
Don

 

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