sideshowbob Senior Member Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Newport, South wales Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed May 2, 2012, 4:33pm Subject: Do you know actual Gaggia Machine AMP Rating? What Fuse to use?
Hi, I'm installing a PID for my Gaggia Baby 06 and I plan to install a fuse just in case things go wrong. I'm using a 0.75mm2 cable rated at about 6amps with a max temp of 180C it should be able to handle 1200watts but the boiler in the gaggia is rated at 1300watts (would that be OK)? If so should I use a 5amps fuse just to be sure that my cables won't fry? I wanted to ought to bigger cables but most of there insulations can't survive the temperature within the machine. This LAPPKABEL OLFLEX HEAT 180 SIHF is the only one I found that has a temperature rating above 150C.
Has anyone tried to measure the actual amperage of a Gaggia Espresso Machine using a multimeter and does it actually reach measurements above 5amps? any data would help.. Thanks!
By the way I live in the UK so its 240volts here...
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,191 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Wed May 2, 2012, 10:36pm Subject: Re: Do you know actual Gaggia Machine AMP Rating? What Fuse to use?
I am working with 110 - 120v, so cannot directly answer your question. I did recently PID a Gaggia. I used a wire size the same as most wall wiring, for the load side of the SSR. It appears to be about the same size as the wiring to the element/thermostats in the Gaggia. My Gaggia is supposed to be rated 1425 watts brew heater. Pump is about 55 watts. This is in the 12 - 13 amp range, not measured, but off of the specs. 14 awg, about 2mm conversion, works ok and that is a lot of wall wiring in USA. The only wire that needs to carry load is the heater, element, side of the SSR. You need about 2 - 3 feet. I would not use smaller wire as it may heat up, unsafe, and may not let the elements work efficiently. For the "load" side off the SSR wiring, I went to a radio control hobby shop. I got a couple feet of silicone coated very high temperature highly flexible wiring. Used for battery packs, so easily obtainable. 200C temp rated, and you pick the diameter.
If you want to fuse, you need a fuse that will easily handle the recommended element amps, plus pump amps, at the same time. You want protection, but not to blow fuses. I choose not to add a fuse. We have Ground Fault circuits.
I would not worry about getting over 105C rating wiring for the rest. You can nylon strap the wire to existing wiring so that it does not touch the boiler, so you are only dealing with air transfer of temperature. I made all of the connections with 26 awg and would use down to 30 awg, except for the load side of SSR. The PID draws little amperage and its signal to the SSR is low amperage.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,655 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu May 3, 2012, 6:32am Subject: Re: Do you know actual Gaggia Machine AMP Rating? What Fuse to use?
As far as the insulation goes, you can buy additional insulation that slips over your wire to upgrade the heat temp, it is by far less expensive than trying to find large gauge high temp wire, look for it at a GOOD electronics store (Radio Shack need not apply!) you should be able to buy only what you need from them.
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue May 8, 2012, 2:09pm Subject: Re: Do you know actual Gaggia Machine AMP Rating? What Fuse to use?
I haven't done the PID thing (yet, hah).
Agreed that the wires won't see temps above boiling (100 deg C), likely at all, definitely not in the air space above the boiler.
I tend to stick with McMaster-Carr for my industrial type supply needs, though I've never tried to ship overseas.
I'd use the classic EE formulas such as P=IV where Power = Current * Voltage. Putting in 240 and 1300, I get 5.4 amps. Tells me to plan for 6 and higher for a safety fudge factor. Could likely get away with less but it's a starting point anyhow.
Another random thought is a stress test. Put together what you believe will work, and then use the machine (perhaps leave it on for a full day) with the cover off and keep an eye on it for any signs of problems. Use a good outlet w/ a good breaker or fuse on it and keep the machine away from any flammable objects, etc. and you'll get a feel for your mods.
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