I am thinking of buying a large Amplifier, of about about 1.2Kw out put from the USA, I was hoping to power it from a 110v Site Transformer capable of supplying 32 Amps. But technically speaking speaking Site Transformers use 55-0-55 to supply the 110v, do you think this would affect the Amplifiers operation? I cant foresee the 50/60Hz being a issue, it possible might affect the cooling fan, but thats easy to replaced.
Powering 117V USA Equipment.
- Thread starter BQW
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Why not use an amplifier designed to be used in the UK?
A site transformer is designed to run tools with intermittant use and high inrush (starting) current and not constant loads like an amplifier. It wiil of course power it and run but possibly not properly and/or run very hot.
The issue you highlight can usually be overcome by rewiring inside the transformer, I'd recommend letting someone competent do that and I'll not offer advice.
If the amplifier has a mains transformer, the best solution will be to replace it or get it rewound but both options are even more specialist jobs.
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What make amp?
It’s better to modify the amp than rely on an extra transformer. Many create horrible noise on the mains.
It’s better to modify the amp than rely on an extra transformer. Many create horrible noise on the mains.
And don't forget the USA and Canada mains frequency is 60 Hz, ours is 50 Hz!
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i could be wrong
but you may be in a big world off pain iff there is any non compatibility mains hum out off phase i think you need a good clean compatible supply rather than a basic crude supply but as i say i could be wrong
but you may be in a big world off pain iff there is any non compatibility mains hum out off phase i think you need a good clean compatible supply rather than a basic crude supply but as i say i could be wrong
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It is likely the amplifier is powered with a switch mode power supply. So step one is it turns the supply to DC, then it turns it back to AC, the DC supply is smoothed with a capacitor, but still has troughs and peaks, the trough has to be high enough, the height of the trough will depend on supply voltage and frequency, so you will both be low on voltage 110 instead of 120 volt, and also lower frequency, only way to know if it will work is try it, and by then too late.
I have a USA UPS that I have used to supply USA equipment, I used a UK battery charger to keep battery charged, and I do get 120 volt 60 Hz, however not really cost effective to do that, it was some thing given to me, so for me cost was zero, a 1600 watt inverter from 12, 24, 48 or 60 volt with 120 volt output 60 Hz will cost around £54 but step one is to find out how much power the amplifier needs, as you go up in size so the cost raises, but not linear, so double that output, and looking at 3 times the price, you would need to find the price of the inverter, and base you decision on worse case scenario and needing an inverter, if still worth while you could buy and try with transformer first, but be prepared to pay for an inverter.
My last job some one thought they could buy USA lighting sets much cheaper, they had a 120 volt outlet, the generator was 120 - 0 - 120 volt 240 to lights, but also an array of 120 volt outputs, however the 120 volt outlets had to be all blanked off, as we need 55 - 0 - 55 or 64 - 0 - 64 if three phase, and the cost of 240 volt to 55 - 0 - 55 volt transformers resulted in no gain, in fact a lose price wise. Since a generator the speed could be dropped to get 50 Hz, but in general better to get equipment designed for the UK to start with.
I have a USA UPS that I have used to supply USA equipment, I used a UK battery charger to keep battery charged, and I do get 120 volt 60 Hz, however not really cost effective to do that, it was some thing given to me, so for me cost was zero, a 1600 watt inverter from 12, 24, 48 or 60 volt with 120 volt output 60 Hz will cost around £54 but step one is to find out how much power the amplifier needs, as you go up in size so the cost raises, but not linear, so double that output, and looking at 3 times the price, you would need to find the price of the inverter, and base you decision on worse case scenario and needing an inverter, if still worth while you could buy and try with transformer first, but be prepared to pay for an inverter.
My last job some one thought they could buy USA lighting sets much cheaper, they had a 120 volt outlet, the generator was 120 - 0 - 120 volt 240 to lights, but also an array of 120 volt outputs, however the 120 volt outlets had to be all blanked off, as we need 55 - 0 - 55 or 64 - 0 - 64 if three phase, and the cost of 240 volt to 55 - 0 - 55 volt transformers resulted in no gain, in fact a lose price wise. Since a generator the speed could be dropped to get 50 Hz, but in general better to get equipment designed for the UK to start with.
I've worked on a kawasaki that did cause problems as it had a 110 socket permanently connected as 55-0-55 but the other socket was switchable 110/220V by parallelling the 2nd 110 winding (so 2 110 windings and 2 sockets all in parallel) or series the windings for 55-0-165.
The type I am looking for all have Mains transformers power supplies, no SMPS so, the reply from big-all may have highlighted a mains hum point I didn't consider ? This I assume would also be the same issue with a 240v to 117v step down transformer, if I could find one at the right price !
Perhaps the only solution would be to replace the units internal transformer to one with a 240v Primary. So any one out there with a 240v to about 1.2Kv transformer capable of about 500mA in the shed collecting dust let me know .
Thanks for all the replies.
Do you mean a Radio Frequency amplifier ? If it is then what are you going to use it for. ? Legal licence ?
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Earth Moon Earth you can get special licences for, but other than that 400 watt is normally the limit, but normally called linear amplifiers when used for RF. Unless CB then caller burners, not a clue why.
Been Licensed since 1981, it was 400W but OFCOM have changed the rules to allow more power, hence the search for a valve Linear. Don't really want a solid type.
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I have used way over normal permitted power, on the Falklands as a VP8 and in the main no point, as you simply can't hear the replies, and even within the permitted power as a pair so one talking and one logging, we did 100 contacts in an hour, it took a lot longer to reply to all the QSL cards, so seemed no point in the extra power.
As a VR2 also found no need, as a GW7 yes often hours with no reply, but not down to lack of power, it was simply no one wanted to talk to a G station, they are two a penny.
To increase contacts you have to do some sort of special event, and to be frank 100 contacts an hour is darn hard work, we never repeated it, I had before that been talking (chin wag) to some one on St Helena, and we promised we would talk to other stations after we had finished, but working a pile up, is no fun, I like the chin wag.
As a VR2 also found no need, as a GW7 yes often hours with no reply, but not down to lack of power, it was simply no one wanted to talk to a G station, they are two a penny.
To increase contacts you have to do some sort of special event, and to be frank 100 contacts an hour is darn hard work, we never repeated it, I had before that been talking (chin wag) to some one on St Helena, and we promised we would talk to other stations after we had finished, but working a pile up, is no fun, I like the chin wag.
A friend did a DXpedition to tristan Da Cunha, I suspect St Helens, but near the canning factory. Listening to him from UK managing a pile-up single handed with the world and his uncle shouting at him was manic until I heard a loud signal (to me) give her callsign. It was magic as the whole world fell silent with his response of "Hello Mum" and the instant wall of sound reappeared the instant the second 88's was heard.
The trip was originally planned by 3 or possibly a 4th person but it developed to 2 and the day before departure the other dropped out with illness. On the long trip by cargo ship he asked for permission to operate and the captain delegated a couple of crew to rig and de-rig several aerials for him.
While he was there he lost power for a ½ day as the canning factory generator (AIUI the source of 'grid power' for the island) failed.
Every summer he goes with a group of a dozen or so to liven up a Scottish Island for 7-10 days and they clock-up thousands of contacts
The trip was originally planned by 3 or possibly a 4th person but it developed to 2 and the day before departure the other dropped out with illness. On the long trip by cargo ship he asked for permission to operate and the captain delegated a couple of crew to rig and de-rig several aerials for him.
While he was there he lost power for a ½ day as the canning factory generator (AIUI the source of 'grid power' for the island) failed.
Every summer he goes with a group of a dozen or so to liven up a Scottish Island for 7-10 days and they clock-up thousands of contacts
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