Currently, I have six early solid-state Ballys, all fed from only one power outlet and an Alexa smart plug, so I’m able to power up the entire setup simultaneously. The machines are all completely LED’d. In addition, this same outlet powers five toppers (three of which are glass tube neon), and three glass-tube neon wall signs.
So far, so good……but am I pushing it?? <crossing fingers>
630C0CE6-D509-41FD-ABEE-AD6685C05EE7 (resized).jpegGive Pieper power a call and drop a 20amp outlet or 2 in the room, will have plenty of room for growth.
unless you know an electrician....dont use Current Electric the owner is a massive twatnozzle lol
Depends on the rating of the circuit breaker, the thickness of the wires, how good the wiring is, etc. In some cases I've seen issues even with just 5 games on one 20A circuit (flippers getting weaker, random resets, when they're all being played).
Quoted from Dakine747:Currently, I have six early solid-state Ballys, all fed from only one power outlet and an Alexa smart plug, so I’m able to power up the entire setup simultaneously. The machines are all completely LED’d. In addition, this same outlet powers five toppers (three of which are glass tube neon), and three glass-tube neon wall signs.
Typical 110-volt US electrical outlets are 15 or 20 amps. A "15-amp" outlet is more common and uses 14 gauge wire and must have a 15-amp circuit breaker. A "20-amp" outlet must have 12-gauge wire and 20-amp circuit breaker.
Quoted from Dakine747:So far, so good……but am I pushing it?? <crossing fingers>[quoted image]
As long as everything is wried to code, if your circuit breaker is not tripping, then you are good, nothing to worry about.
How much can a single outlet power?
Without a current meter, the only way to know for sure is to look up the power consumption of each machine/device and add them up. Example: A 300 watt machine is roughly going to draw 2.5 amps. I say "roughly" because the voltage is going to vary on geography and local transformers to something between 110 and 125 volts. Also say "roughly" because a machine's power rating is the "worst case" and will vary depending on how many lamps, solenoids, etc. are in use at any given time.
I'd be more worried about the smart plug. The power rating on the Alexa smart plug is 15 amps, and it will likely not have a long life if you're running near the 15-amp limit of your circuit. Otherwise, if you're on a 20-amp circuit and operating everything over 15 amps, the smart plug is on borrowed time.
Using old math and old electricity, you are really overloading what is at best a 20 amp circuit. But if using a Smart device which provides power produced from thin air, for free, and knows no limits....you can add as many pins as your house will hold. The advent of Smarts in our lives has revolutionized the rules of physics, economics, and common sense.
Quoted from sparky672:I'd be more worried about the smart plug. The power rating on the Alexa smart plug is 15 amps, and it will likely not have a long life if you're running near the 15-amp limit of your circuit. Otherwise, if you're on a 20-amp circuit and operating everything over 15 amps, the smart plug is on borrowed time.
Quoted from zacaj:Depends on the rating of the circuit breaker, the thickness of the wires, how good the wiring is, etc. In some cases I've seen issues even with just 5 games on one 20A circuit (flippers getting weaker, random resets, when they're all being played).
Just went down there and divided it between two separate outlets, one with a WEMO, and one with Alexa. I know that’s probably better. I was able to combine the two plugs into one ‘group’, so I can still bring everything up at once.
I think I remember reading somewhere that three games in one outlet wasn’t uncommon, and since all lamps and displays are LED, I should be good?? At least until I buy more games LOL.
Appreciate all the feedback….
Draw on average is about 2 amps per machine. If you have magnets that may peak at 3-4 amps. It’s pretty hard to get all solenoids on all machines firing at the same time so you are unlikely to trip the circuit. Just don’t get that pulp fiction topper.
Quoted from Drain1:How many games do you expect to be playing at one time?
Even if you split your games between 2 outlets, if those outlets are on the same circuit and breaker, i'm not sure you lessened the load. Y/N?
Correct. If they are on the same circuit, the circuit still has the same load regardless of the number of outlets. However, he did split it among two smart plugs which may prolong the life of those devices since the draw in each is now lower, but not the overall circuit.
Quoted from Insanity199:Correct. If they are on the same circuit, the circuit still has the same load regardless of the number of outlets.
It's a large open basement area, with only two outlet boxes, one on each end of the basement. I'm using one outlet box for all my games, so in order to use separate circuits I'll have to figure out a creative way to run half the power needed, from the other side of the space - at least until I can get a couple more outlets down there.
Quoted from Drain1:How many games do you expect to be playing at one time?
It isn't often that more than one is being played at a time, since I'm single. But occasionally, there's a crowd of friends, family or neighbors. Then all hell breaks loose. LOL
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
Mequon, WI
Auckland
Edmonton, AB
