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Rodney · February 7th, 2007

Yesterday, I was trying to do some test t-shirts using the sample plastisol transfers that I've received and every time I tried to preheat my heat press, the power to my office went out.

So far I've received some great samples and information from First Edition, Transfer Express and Dowling Graphics.

I guess the heat press is pulling too much juice for my home office outlet, so I've called the electrician and he's coming by this afternoon to give me an estimate to get it working.

I'm not exactly sure what I should be asking him to do. I know the press is 20 amps, so I think I might need a dedicated plugin for it. Don't know the right electrical terminology

I searched through the forums and only found one post about not having enough power, I'm surprised it doesn't come up more for those working from home.

JoshEllsworth · February 7th, 2007

You definitely need a dedicated 20 amp circuit. The press pulls 14.5 amps. Do you have any other items plugged into the same circuit that could be moved?

T-BOT · February 7th, 2007

Rodney, get at least a 30 amp dedicated circuit just for your press, it will cost the same (may be a little more for the cable, breaker etc.) for the guy to install it and a little more juice is ok if need be.

If there is other stuff plugged to the same circuit (although the fuse may not blow) it will cause the press temp. settings to vary.... you may ruin some transfers.

but like Josh said.... 20 amp will do.

Jasonda · February 7th, 2007

This is my one major concern with getting a heat press. The power in my house goes out if you plug in a microwave!

I rent, so I can't really have an electrician come in.

Rodney · February 7th, 2007

Quote:


	You definitely need a dedicated 20 amp circuit. The press pulls 14.5 amps.

Whoops, I thought it pulled 20amps (I read the 20 on the back).

Does a dedicated 20 amp circuit just mean another wall outlet tied to a different switch on the breaker box?

Quote:


	Do you have any other items plugged into the same circuit that could be moved?

If I understand correctly, all the plugs in my office go to the same switch on the circuit breaker. Actually, there's another room upstairs that is on the same circuit as my office which is probably using some of my juice.

Quote:


	Rodney, get at least a 30 amp dedicated circuit just for your press, it will cost the same (may be a little more for the cable, breaker etc.) for the guy to install it and a little more juice is ok if need be.

Thanks, I'll ask about doing a 30 amp as well.

Rodney · February 7th, 2007

Quote:


	This is my one major concern with getting a heat press. The power in my house goes out if you plug in a microwave! I rent, so I can't really have an electrician come in

Maybe you could tell your landlord that your microwave needs a dedicated 20 amp circuit

But seriously, the is one aspect I didn't pay enough attention to when thinking about a heat press.

I think part of it is the size of the press. I'm pretty sure the 16x20 is going to be more of a strain than a 15x15 heat press.

Jasonda · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	Maybe you could tell your landlord that your microwave needs a dedicated 20 amp circuit

I'll tell him that as soon as he fixes the broken burner on my stove.

funtimesx · February 7th, 2007

I also rent and my, um...unique solution to this problem was thusly:

Our house is OOOLLLD and we knew when we moved in that we'd be fairly tight in terms of load vs available power in the study (two computers, a server and a fishtank). We found out that there are two circuits in the house - one running down the side where the bedrooms are and one running down the other side (living room/kitchen/laundry).

I run an extension lead from my kitchen to my study, and turn off the other stuff in the kitchen.

Works for me! As I said, I also rent like Jasonda, so having someone come in to do wiring wasn't really an option.

Hope you get your press sorted out soon, Rodney!

mzmadmax · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	I think part of it is the size of the press. I'm pretty sure the 16x20 is going to be more of a strain than a 15x15 heat press.

Nope, not really. I have a Hix 16x20 Swingman and it pulls 14.5 amps as well.

I also rent, but luckily my office is in a room directly across from the kitchen and my kitchen has three separate 20 amp circuits. So I do the same as Kath and run a heavy duty extension cord to the kitchen when I need to run the press.

vctradingcubao · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	I think part of it is the size of the press. I'm pretty sure the 16x20 is going to be more of a strain than a 15x15 heat press.

Yep, a 15x15 heat press pulls a lower current, less than 10amps I believe.

Rodney, I think you should also ask your electrician to check the main powerline to your house, and also the size of the cable/wire. Higher electrical loads would also require higher rated larger size cable/wire, not just a higher amp breaker.

Fluid · February 7th, 2007

OT - sorry for the off topic reply but your subject made me laught big time

thanks Rodney, I needed a good laugh
I cant do it captn, we need more power

scpromos · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzmadmax


	Nope, not really. I have a Hix 16x20 Swingman and it pulls 14.5 amps as well. I also rent, but luckily my office is in a room directly across from the kitchen and my kitchen has three separate 20 amp circuits. So I do the same as Kath and run a heavy duty extension cord to the kitchen when I need to run the press.

You have to be careful when running that kind of power through an extension cord. You can cause a fire. I only bring this up because my friend's house just burned down yesterday, possibly due to an electrical fire. So make sure the cord is rated to carry the kind of power you're running through it.

mzmadmax · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by scpromos


	You have to be careful when running that kind of power through an extension cord. You can cause a fire. I only bring this up because my friend's house just burned down yesterday, possibly due to an electrical fire. So make sure the cord is rated to carry the kind of power you're running through it.

Thanks Louie for mentioning that. I made sure before doing it that this extension cord I bought was rated for the load and the length.

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's house. I pray that no one was injured.

Fire is one of my biggest fears.

mzmadmax · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by vctradingcubao


	Yep, a 15x15 heat press pulls a lower current, less than 10amps I believe. Rodney, I think you should also ask your electrician to check the main powerline to your house, and also the size of the cable/wire. Higher electrical loads would also require higher rated larger size cable/wire, not just a higher amp breaker.

Oooops! Sorry, I misunderstood. I was thinking Rodney's 14.5 amp press was a 15x15.

scpromos · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzmadmax


	Thanks Louie for mentioning that. I made sure before doing it that this extension cord I bought was rated for the load and the length. I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's house. I pray that no one was injured. Fire is one of my biggest fears.

Everyone was ok, just smoke inhalation, but they lost most of their belongings. Very sad. I wouldn't want the same to happen to anyone else.