Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cretors 32oz. Diplomat Popper

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-09-2003, 06:01 PM:

I lean towards Cretors poppers... So this is my question:

Say a popper like this, 3' 32oz., Neon header, automatic oil pump, logic option, etc... What kind of electrical outlet would it use? Would it be a dryer-type outlet, or just a regular electrical outlet that a computer or TV would plug into?

Here are the electrical specifications:
120/208-240V/60HZ and 230/380V/50HZ; 5100 watts.

You can find more info at:
Cretors Website

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 08-09-2003, 06:58 PM:

120/208V is 3-phase 4 wire (3 hots & neutral plus ground); 120/240V is single-phase 3 wire (2 hots & neutral plus ground). 5100 watts, a dryer circuit (240V, 50 amp) will work, definitely NOT a household circuit.

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-09-2003, 07:08 PM:

Thanks!

So, do you mean that I would need a dryer outlet, as in the actual outlet on the wall that the dryer plugs into?

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 08-09-2003, 07:24 PM:

Depending on your electrical service, you would need either a 120/240VAC single phase circuit or a 120/208VAC three phase circuit installed; check with Cretors to verify the amperage required. The 120/240V is similar to a dryer or electric range service; your local electrical code would determine the specifics as far as connectors etc.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-09-2003, 07:35 PM:

Our machine is almost exactly like the one pictured...ours is around 5 years old. It is a great machine. Never a problem.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 08-09-2003, 08:00 PM:

If I recall properly, these use a 4 conductor, twist lock type receptical. When ordering from Ceators there may be different receptical options, something worth checking into.

As always have a licenced electrician wire the wall socket.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-09-2003, 08:58 PM:

Chris,

Your description of a 4-wire circuit contained 5-wires!

A 120/208-240 would most likely be a 4-wire circuit that has two-hots, a neutral and ground. This way, without an internal 208 to 120 transformer, one can drive both 208-240 circuits (like heating elements) as well as 120 items (light light bulbs, motors...etc) since the Neutral is there. The ground should go without saying.

Steve

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-10-2003, 12:50 AM:

If I recall correctly, I think those kettles have an option of 208 volts for 3 phase or 240 volts for single phase. Running the 240 volt elements will work if you have it connected to 3 phase, but it would be a little slower in coming up to temperature.

Seems to me I ran into this at one time......

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 08-10-2003, 01:42 AM:

I believe our Hollywood 48 (an older version of the same basic popper) runs on 240 Single Phase with the twistlock connector. It has two fuses inside, one for the lighting circuit and another for the heating element. The breaker on the panel just takes up two spaces instead of one.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 08-10-2003, 05:24 AM:

I have that exact model. It comes with the twist-lock plug...

As mentioned earlier, it is not household computer power. It actually is more like a dryer or hot water heater, in that it's a 220-240 volt circuit and will need its own breaker.

The current 32 oz diplomat models are 220/240 volt. Earlier versions had to have the actual voltage specified.

Cretors is a good brand. I recently replaced the kettle and pedestal on my '78 vintage President. After all those years, the only modification I had to make to the cabinet was to drill out the oil tube hole a bit (they went to a larger guage tube. All of the mounting bolts matched perfectly, and I had the new setup online within about 4 hours. We've since converted the old oil can to the current bag-in-box system.

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-10-2003, 08:03 PM:

Thanks for helping me out here! I really appreciate it!

So, I'm guessing this is the plug you mean:

My dream popper is shown here:

It has the header, a dual 35lb. auto BIB pump, and its Cretors, etc. I would also like it with the neon header "POPCORN".

This neon header (at the big multiplexes here- FAMOUS PLAYERS), has the "POP" in red, flashing, and the "CORN" is white, staying on steady. It flashes on for about 3 seconds and off for about 2 seconds. Have any of you seen this?

Does anyone have a picture of the neon popper? Can anyone please get a picture of this neon popper?

Thank-you very much! (And for the replies too!)

Andrew

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-11-2003, 12:04 AM:

That's not the plug Andrew. Think bigger, way bigger.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-11-2003, 12:41 AM:

Much bigger, Indeed.

The one shown looks like a 15-amp plug. The popper is a power hog. Check the specs on the popper under full load, see how big a breaker is needed, and act accordingly on the plug size.

I highly recommend you get a licensed electrician to do the installation. You are not playing with a light bulb circuit by any means.

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 08-11-2003, 10:20 AM:

I've got a Gold Medal 32oz. popper, very similar to what you've got pictured. It's on a stainless steel base, with the bag-in-the-box oil pump system and heaters, and the neon header across the top. I think ours is a Gold Meal 2011ENB.

Ours is wired with 3 #10 (2 hots + 1 neutral) + 1 #10 ground, (120/208v 3 phase). Gold Medal supplied the receptacle with the machine, so I'd assume Cretors would too.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 08-11-2003, 11:29 AM:

Andrew,
The Cretors plug is along that design, but the scale is different. Also, there are 4 blades on the plug, instead of the 3 your picture shows.

In any case, there's nothing that says you have to use the plug that comes with the popper. It can be removed from the wire and replaced with any plug of appropriate capacity.

As said earlier, this is a job for someone with experience in the matter. As Paul says, poppers use a lot of juice. Improper installation or using parts not rated for the application can set up a real fire hazard.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-11-2003, 11:33 AM:

When the popper is purchased brand new, Cretors supplies both the male (end of cord) plug and the female (wall socket) outlet. You supply the electrician to install them. [Big Grin]

I think these were 30 amp twistlock connectors made by Hubbell.

[ 08-14-2003, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: Ken Layton ]

Posted by John Spooner (Member # 1565) on 08-11-2003, 12:20 PM:

Down Under here in Oz, our supply voltage is 240volts, so an appliance drawing 5100 watts would be a 3 phase supply.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-13-2003, 08:30 AM:

Some tutorials on electrical wiring:

http://www.constructionbook.com/xq/ASP/id.2/subid.264/qx/default2.htm

http://www.ia470.com/primer/electric.htm

http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/planning/..%5Cplanning%5Ceasy.pdf

In my search, I found this article about audio and AC power:

http://www.equitech.com/articles/rep2.html

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-14-2003, 12:51 AM:

There are a number of balanced AC power supplies out there; here's a rackmount from Furman:

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=2771

It may not be appropriate for concession stand applications. The unit reduces noise, & it's likely that some customers *want* to hear the popcorn popping.