We just got a countertop ice maker since it should last us longer than the actual in freezer ice maker that has gone bad for the 3rd time. Mrs. BTB really enjoys having her ice in her cups throughout the day so it will be running fairly often. The goal would be to keep it by the mini bar which currently has an espresso machine (can be turned on/off) and a dual zone beverage cooler (runs 24/7.) These two are power by the same outlet.

I currently have it running off an outlet where nothing else is plugged in so we can get ice for now, but I want to know if I should be concerned about pulling too much power by adding the ice maker to the outlet and tripping the breaker? If there's a way to calculate the math on what would trip it, I can do it with the formula and look up the numbers on the appliances. Backup plan would be to just buy a splitter for the ice maker/espresso machine and keep turn off the ice maker when I'm making coffee, but I'd prefer not to have to think about that every time I make coffee in case I forget to turn on the ice maker again.

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Posted by billjamin

Houston

Member since Jun 2019

15002 posts

Posted on 1/4/25 at 12:30 pm to BilbeauTBaggins

You need to know the circuit size and the max and continuous amperage draws of each load on the circuit.

This post was edited on 1/4/25 at 12:50 pm

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Posted by BilbeauTBaggins

probably stuck in traffic

Member since May 2021

7153 posts

Posted on 1/4/25 at 12:55 pm to billjamin

So after running this thing for about 2.5 hours, I've realize that it's not something I can actually run all day anyway. It makes ice about every 10-15 minutes which would be enough to satiate 2 people (or fill my wife's thermal cup for herself) and be done. It loads up the tray within an hour. This seems like it would be better suited to run in the afternoon/evening to fill our freezer ice tray so it can be stored appropriately for future use.

I'm also finding it hard to imagine when I'll keep both my ice maker and espresso machine on at all times. Thanks for the formula.

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Posted by baseballmind1212

Missouri City

Member since Feb 2011

3345 posts

Posted on 1/5/25 at 8:19 am to BilbeauTBaggins

I have a similar setup (frick whirlpool for putting icemaker in the door)

We run the countertop icemaker in the evenings, fill the ice bucket in the freezer, and the ice bucket in the whirlpool. I'd the ice bucket in the countertop maker during the evening, fill tumblers out the freezer in the AM.

I also have some backup ice in a big container in outside freezer, but I don't tell the family about it. That's for when we go short on ice.

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Posted by bapple

Capital City

Member since Oct 2010

12130 posts

Posted on 1/7/25 at 10:24 pm to BilbeauTBaggins

Each appliance should have a nameplate or electrical information on it showing maximum wattage or current rating. If wattage is given, divide by 120 to get your amp draw. Note that most breakers in home panels are 80% devices and may trip when loaded to 80% (example: 16A on a 20A breaker).

Figure out your current draw on each device by looking at the nameplate and then see what your breaker is rated for. If you want exact numbers for your current draw, get a basic plug-in ammeter.

LINK

Best of luck.

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Posted by Dallaswho

Texas

Member since Dec 2023

2527 posts

Posted on 1/8/25 at 8:16 am to BilbeauTBaggins

Hard telling. You probably won’t trip anything but it isn’t best practice.
What year was house built?
(If more than 25 year, can’t help)
Does fridge have dedicated breaker?
How many outlets above counters have buttons on them?
Do outlets look normal or do they have one T-shaped slot?

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