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Topic: Voltage adaptor for European power? |
Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 27 Sep 2008 8:50 am |
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I'm taking a little trip to the UK soon and I'll have a couple small devices that I'll need to plug in. A Roland Micro Cube and a small pre-amp for acoustic guitar. If anyone here has any opinions as to what I need and where to get it, it would be a big help.
I'm a grown-up and I really ought to be able to figure this out on my own, but I'm feeling a little stumped.
Thanks!
Henry |
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 27 Sep 2008 9:13 am
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| Hey Henry, got a little tour planned? You need a step-up transformer. I'm sure someone here can recommend where to get one. |
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Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 27 Sep 2008 9:16 am
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| Radio Shack sells travel transformers. In addition to the transformer Raido Shack also sells a package of different plugs that fit the transformer. You will need the UK plug. The plug configuration for the UK is different than the rest of Europe. Be sure to get the right size watt transormer to power the devices. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 2 Oct 2008 10:24 pm
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You can pick up a step down voltage converter for pretty cheap at a hardware store when you hit the UK. They will understand what you need. It is simple but you can hurt yourself if you use the wrong thing. With baggage costs and all it may be cheaper to buy a little amp over there.
_________________
Bob |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 6:09 am
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| Henry, you can pick one up in England for about 20 pounds, my dad keeps mine handy, but he only paid 20 for it, if its your only trip, drop it in the rubbish bin on your way out! |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 8:05 am
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Deleted because of error.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,
Last edited by Ken Byng on 3 Oct 2008 8:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 8:25 am
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Ken,
I may be confused here but from my understanding amps from the USA use a 110 voltage. The voltage in the UK is in the range of 240. That means that if you plug a US amp into a UK plug it will blow up. So I would think that to use US electronics in the UK you would need to use a step down transformer to bring the voltage down from 240 to 110. I may have my terminology mixed up but while working in the UK I have always called the transformers that I use with US electronics step down transformers. It is also good to use a US power strip with a circuit breaker after the step down transformer in the UK. Those power spikes over there can fry an amp fast.
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Bob |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 8:29 am
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Bob - You are quite correct. It is me who was confused and it is a step down transformer. I should know - I have just had to buy one for my new Webb. I will delete my post in case it causes further confusion. Please accept my apologies.
Ken B
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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John Roche
From:
England
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 8:51 am
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| I stand corrected as well! |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 8:55 am
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| It seems to me that step-up and step-down would be the same transformer, the only difference being a gender swap on the connectors. |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 9:03 am
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I bought a 1000 watt step down converter for my Webb. Overkill yes, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Steve Feldman
From:
Central MA USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 6:10 pm
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US is 60Hz power. I don't know about the UK, but many placed in Europa use 50Hz. Any problem with this?
_________________
"...An admission of interest in protracted commentary is certainly no reason to capitalize on surmised aberations that do not exist." - BH |
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Mike Taylor
From:
Wetumpka, AL
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Posted 3 Oct 2008 6:23 pm power issues
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We lived in germany for 3 years and I used transformers all the time for my amps. The difference in hertz didn't seem to affect the amps. A couple things I learned is to get a ground / polarity checker -- most places I found were not grounded. Additionally, I found it beneficial to run a surge protector between the amp and transformer to help protect the amp from any power surges. WRT transformers, I found it best to use a transformer rated well about (50% more) than your amps power consumption. Check on the back of your amp for the numbers and remember watts RMS ain't the same as what the amp uses -- I just checked my NVille 112 -- 80 watts RMS into 4 ohms, but consumes 200 watts.. Also may bring some extra slo blo fuses too...
Good luck
Mike |
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Ulf Edlund
From:
Umeå, Sweden
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Posted 4 Oct 2008 2:14 am
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The Hertz should not make much difference.
The amp operates on DC.
Allthough the frequency affects the rectifier i don't think 50 to 60 Hz has much impact on the sound.
But there's so many forumites who knows more about this than i do.
_________________
1983 Emmons D10 SKH, Carter SD10, Nashville 112, Session 500, ProfexII, Lapsteels, GT-Beard reso, guitars of all kinds...
http://www.myspace.com/ulfedlund |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 4 Oct 2008 4:57 am
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No impact from 60 hz to 50 hz! English plug in will be square; Amps are 15 at outlet; PLug wire for an english plug will be;
Left leg on plug will be a BLUE wire = neutral
right leg on plug will be a BROWN wire= live 240volts
Top leg on plug will be yellow/green = Earth, thats ground to the yanks;
Thats standard English wiring, and all outlets will be that; Your converter will be established for that, so you wont need to know these wiring codes, but i thought i would print it incase you ever have to know. Buy a converter of at least 1000 watts, in case you want to add. Like i said they are cheap:
A NASHVILLE 400 uses 600 watts,
P;S Most of Europe is on 120 v, dont get this confused with British power, England is not considered Europe in Europe, Thats mainly an outside of Europe idea,[ part of the Euro economy and trading only], i have to remind people all the time that i am English not European, UK; BRITAIN; ENGLAND is all the same, including Scotland, wales and the islands!
Cheers mate, and all the best , and have a pint of bass for me! |
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