Converter-transformator 110v To 220v, US products useing in Europe Options

[karkul]

hi,
has anyone got experience with product for US voltage 110V useing in Europe 220V?

I'm in US for a one more month and I'l like to buy these products.
1.mackie HR824,monitors
2.Lexicon MX-200,ef.procesor
3.E-mu 1820m,sound card

is it enough to get just a Voltage converter-transformator from 110V to 220V??
of course converter has to be strong enough for the power of monitors (260W).

thanx for help

[Dr. Harmonica]

it's enough but it can be a right pain in the ass. You might end up getting some additional noise from the transformer. Unless you are saving a lot of money by purchasing the items in the U. S. it's not such a good idea. Also your guarantee would probably not be valid in Europe.

[lepetitmartien]

I can't move my 824 (sorry) to verify but there are chances that, and the Lexicon too, they are using a universal power unit, check the documentation at the manufacturer site.

If the powering unit is universal, save a change of power cable, you just plug-in. If you have to select the Voltage; there's a switch somewhere. If the Lexicon runs from an adaptor, there should be some available one either thru Lexicon or in shops, it's rarely something very exotic.

Note, if the doc tells the unit runs from 110V and nothing else, it's NOT universal nor able to be switched from 100 to 220. If it has to be switched from 110 to 220 be very careful to do so before plugging in and switch on!

[earworm]

i'm using 10 units that were built in the USA, all 110 volt,
connected to a furman rackrider and another decent transfo,
i have no problems, never had,
if you buy cheap ass transfos they'll get damn hot and might cause buzz or hum but i've always been lucky, it works great for me !

go ahead and buy that stuff, the US is alot more cheap,

BUT BUT BUT

beware of import tax !!!!!!

[karkul]

HI,
thanx for replay. I just bought some equipm. last friday, but I still couldn't get proper transformer (strong enough).I have checked RadioShack,HomeDepot,BestBuy, and some local Electrical stores, but they had just max.150W,which is not good for the monitors plus other stuff. Well, where are you from in EU?? Can you recommend some store, next week I can check at home )...
thank you.!!

[earworm]

hi,
most of my compressors only use 15 watt, thats easy, even the most stupid transfo can deal with that,

but i got another nice unit, one that has two outputs,
it can handle FIVE HUNDRED WATT

hihi, so plug your US computer in it and it won't blow !

the brand i have is "minwa" model is "mw500"

i dont think its a famous brand but the unit works perfect ,is supersolid (i took it with me on like 20 live gigs last year)

i think i paid around 35 euro for it , new, on ebay,
look in EBAY.DE (germany)

stepdown converter
220 110 volt
us transfo

i use those words to find what i need, in a normal store these 500watt machines can get pretty expensive, but ebay is my friend (eventough i already got ripped for like €1500)

[mixfisto]

HI, I just moved back from Europe. Like Lepetite said, most modern gear either automaticaly "switches" to the correct voltage or has a switch ,usualy next to where the power cable comes in. Just double check everything before actually plugging anything in. I also have a few peices of gear incl. a pro Cd recorder, compressor, etc. that I plugged into my Furman power conditioner. Then I plugged my Furman into a basic transformer ( just a transformer with two sets of cables coming out of either end. Sorry, don't know the make or anything) I bought it at the local "hardware" store. Just make sure it can handle the wattage and make sure you put it somewhere that it can keep cool.
ps. I know why you want to buy the stuff in the US. It's a lot cheaper and easier to find. Just be aware that warranties and garantees may not be valid after leaving the states.

This post has been edited by mixfisto: Tue 7 Feb 2006, 05:00

[cornutt]

One thing to watch out for: Some of the voltage converters that are marketed to international travellers in the U.S. don't use transformers; rather, they are half-wave rectifiers (essentially big diodes). A lot of the higher-wattage (500W and up) are made this way. They are usually marked "for use with heating appliances" or some such. They're okay for hair dryers, but the rectified waveform will destroy a lot of power supplies! Whatever type you buy, and particularly if it's a higher-wattage model, make certain it outputs a sine wave and is rated for use with electronics.

[earworm]

it happened to me more than once that i ran 220v trough a 110v machine,
everytime the fuse blew, so the compressor/mixer didn't set fire

maybe i was just lucky, be sure to always check if the gear can handle the voltage,
i do'nt have any equipment that automaticly switches between currents
but most of my stuff is vintage, guess that explains why..

and for music gear i tend to buy the "more expensive" transfos since the very small cheap ones get extremely hot, and i regularly leave my gear "online" for 12 hours straight, 7/7

i never had a transfo blown but i did burn my fingers on one once!

[lepetitmartien]

Anyway half-wave rectifiers should be avoided in an audio set up as they can generate noise around (thru mains or radio) if they are of bad quality.

And transformers should never get that hot! a transformer hot enough to burn you (wich means more than 60°C you can't touch it more than a fraction of a second) is working in a bad way (too much intensity going thru it, or not well thought cooling). A transformer can take fire…