DRANO said:
Thanks guys,
I'm going to see if 200A service is possible in my area and try and get at least one 20A circuit to every 3-4 pins.
That is definitely a good plan Adriano. You can easily put 3-4 DMD's, or 5-6 EM or SS machines on each new 20A circuit.
Chris, great photo. Good for a chuckle this morning. Thanks for that. To answer Luckydogg420's question, here is the long answer. lol
The general rule for power draw for an EM machine is 2.0 to 2.5 amps. (+/- 10-15%) This is similar for early SS machines as well. (1977-1982)
This can vary depending on what bulbs you have installed in the machines since 44's will draw more current than 47's will for example.
On a standard 110/120 - 15 amp home circuit, you can sometimes have as many as 5-6-7 EM and SS machines hooked up to one circuit.
I personally don't recommend more than 4-5 on a circuit for EM's and SS machines. I don't want to draw 15 amps all the time, especially
in homes with older wiring. In some older homes you may not get your full amperage or voltage either, so that is worth testing as well.
I use a rule of thumb of 80 % amperage draw maximum. By that I mean that if you have 4 machines @ 3 amps draw each, I personally only put
4 x 3 amps = 12 amps on a circuit, even though it could draw and handle power for 1-2 more machines in all likelihood. This is for effeciency
and safety.
If you know 5 machines that each have a draw of 2.5 amps each, (for myself games like Volley and Firepower) then I am still comfortable putting
all 5 on one circuit for a draw of approximately 12.5 amps total.
DMD's as previously mentioned, draw more amperage, and 3-4 machines per 15 amp circuit is usually enough since 4-5 machines can trip the circuit
depending on which machines they are and what the draw is with crazy mods these days. LED's can help reduce amperage draw as well. For my DMD's
I personally have 3 machines @ 3 to 4 amps each = 12 amps approximately on one circuit.
Like Magneto stated, you are likely only going to have an issue if you have 5 DMD's turned on and are trying to play more than 3 DMD's at the same time on that one circuit. In attract mode, you can have 5 hooked up looking pretty, but only play 3 at once. (with the other 2 still turned on) before you blow your circuit trying the 4th.
Luch pointed out a thread to read on Pinside, and RPG also has some old threads worth reading regarding power and amperage draw. Read up lots on this.
Safety first. Enjoy.
This is all a moot point for me these days. With kids that are so energy conscious, they only let me have one game on at a time if they are around. If I turn the machines on and go for a glass of water, I guarantee they turn them all off before I get back to play them.
I heard the same magic number of 3-4 for each circuit as well.
