stepping down

| I don't think he's saying such a device must exist, I think he's saying that | if no UL device *does* exist, then the requirement of some insurance | companies to only allow UL approved devices should be waived and a non-UL | device allowed. | | But that opens a lot of issues....

Yes, many cans of worms.

What I think should be required is that insurance companies may not cancel policies just because some non-UL devices are present ... if they meet the test that no UL-listed devices are available at a reasonable price. And if there is a fire, it must be provable the non-UL device caused the fire for the claim to be denied; it's not acceptable to deny it just because such a device was present and the cause cannot be determined.

I'm not opposed to denying a claim if a non-UL device causes a fire. But what I am opposed to is the practice of denying claims based on lack of any evidence. Typically non-UL devices are going to be over-engineered anyway due to their limited market generally for industrial use, and lack of scale that requires "engineering down" to a price (where most hazards get added to products, anyway). It's the idiots at insurance companies that act out of ignorance that I want to take aim at.

I think he means that he tried a normal 120 volt coffee pot and connected it to the 74 volt system and it didn't heat very well. He's only going to get 38% of the wattage that way.

| Yes to the loco engineer, tried a normal pot but doesn't heat properly

What is the AC frequency of the system?

If it is around 60 Hz, you might build you a small converter box as follows.

Get 3 small transformers rated for 1/3 the wattage of the coffee pot. Get them with 120 volts on one side and 24 volts on the other side. Wire the 24 volt sides of all 3 transformers in series. Wire the 120 volts sides of all 3 transformers in parallel. Install an appropriate fuse or circuit breaker on the primary side (don't forget to figure in the higehr amperage on the 74 volt side), and a GFCI receptacle on the secondary (120 volt) side.

If the frequency is lower than 60 Hz, you might find transformers that can handle it, or derate their voltage (which unfortunately also derates their capacity since you have to leave the amperage the same). If the system is 25 Hz, you'll need a transformer(s) that can handle 180 volts at 60 Hz or 150 volts at 50 Hz to do this right. If the system is 16.7 Hz, that means a 270 volt 60 Hz or 225 volt 50 Hz transformer. And of course this assumes the coffee pot can handle the low frequency (maybe it can).

If the system is DC, you'll pretty much have to find an inverter with the appropriate input voltage. And not much else uses voltage in the

| They use 74 volts on railroad locomotives? Why, what could possibly | use it?

I've seen locomotive headlamp bulbs in catalogs for as much as 3000 watts all specified for 75 volts.

I fear his frequency will be low (16.67 Hz) and unstable.

I think Matt hit the nail on the tip and drove it out right quick, the best Technical Solution thus far.

The [item] Transformer is different race but same species .... Enjoy your Coffee.

In the next few days I am going to check to see if I find any marketed products of the same Loco race.

what he realy needsis a Loco Coffeepot anyway..

Don't Remember: you have receptacles in the cabin? how will you supply the juice to the Cafelate machine you have.

what am I asking.

It's not like you're pulling out wires to tap,Right.

What Make of ChooChoo you Chugging from ? you should ask em for a Java Jumper Straight Up.

I'm lost again, with Peltier there you can reverse the polarity and cool your soda in the summer };-) don't member if they can handle your 74 volts you might have to step down ...... There~> another nail stickin out at the end Matt :-)

well, he's either the conductor or the engineer and has to keep his comforts in libe with his passengers safety.

if he's the engineer, i guess he's in luck.

other than that he'll have a tough time changing regulations. maybe adding it to his permit somehow.

?operator/convenience device outlet?

peltlier devices are probably covered in any code for use in a loco, and as far as I am aware the simple experimental devices aren't covered in any codes.

the step up tranny is.

Please tell us what you've resolved to power your coffee maker.