tom_b Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 537 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia/PID Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCF Roaster: USPS/Popper
Posted Sat Mar 5, 2005, 7:13pm Subject: split-wired poppery 1 w/ dimmer
Holy grail of poppers, I have found you. The original poppery 1, 1500W and 120VAC fan. For those who haven't already been there done that:
Dimmer controls the heat, is attached to the lower section of the popcorn chute, chute top is abandoned in favor of a can & fresh roast chaff remover top. Switch controls fan, which has separate power running to a different outlet.
Now the fan doesn't get reduced power when the heat is on, and instead of lots of switch flipping (more than P2/toastmaster etc) I can just occasionaly turn the dial. Better for my recent 'max temp X and wait for 2nd crack' roasts.
Batch size when stirring up to 400F is 1-1/4 cups. I thought it'd go higher when I split wired it, but only added a little less than 1/4 cup. Adding a dimmer would've reduced the batch size if I didn't split power though.
Dimmer is 1000W, makes enough resistance that the temp rise with the dial maxed is slower than before, but plenty fast enough. On a toastmaster it made enough resistance that temp couldn't get high enough.
For non-electricians the splicing and dicing is thus (see pics in follow-up posts, base not as pictured): for the fan circuit, one side of plug cord goes to switch in (terminal 3), switch out goes to fan wire, other fan wire to other side of plug cord (which is removed from terminal 1). For the heat circuit, one side of the 2nd plug cord (a cut off extension cord) goes to dimmer*, other dimmer wire to terminal 2 (the existing uncovered wires stay on terminals 1 & 2, go to heater) and terminal 1 to other side of 2nd plug cord. *Used more extension cord to extend dimmer wires into the base (the cord on front of machine).
Used ring terminals, splice caps, tape, keeping all the wires away from the fan in the base to keep it all safe; except that the dimmer is ungrounded, and splice caps & wires are tucked above dimmer on outside of machine. Everything is pretty yank-proof with cable ties by dimmer and where power cords enter the base. Could've run wire internally but too lazy, unsure how to fix wires to inside corner of case, or what temp they'd be exposed to. Original plug has non-polarized prongs (one is not wider than the other), so there's no issue with polarity on my unit (want that fan to spin the right direction..).
Please consult an electrician if you want to try any of this, I'll accept no liability. Thanks to Felix Dial for the help :)! BTW, I asked Felix about the fan, the relatively more unsafe dimmer setup was my own bright (or not so bright) idea.
tom_b Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 537 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia/PID Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCF Roaster: USPS/Popper
Posted Sat Mar 5, 2005, 7:21pm Subject: Re: split-wired poppery 1 w/ dimmer
Another BTW: on a stock outfitted poppery the switch can be made to control heat, make fan full time (turns on when you plug it in) just by moving the red fan wire from terminal 2 to 3, then consulting electrician before testing. THAT was a slightly easier mod, with most of the benefits.. tom:) 'cuppa kona?'
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