Just changed the g/f car for a MX5. (She is mobile hairdresser) Due to limited luggage space I have been searching for a compact hood dryer.
Good news is I found a real neat unit and ordered it from the States. Bad news is I totolly overlooked the fact that they use 120v. Whats the easiest way to convert to run on 240v.
Anyone know where I can get a transformer...

Help please, I'm feeling foolish and the girfriend is taking the p!ss....

John

a lot of contractors tools are 110 volt,try b&q etc

May be OK to use an auto-transformer from somewhere like Maplins. However, the motor may run at an odd speed (their speed is set from the mains frequency - 60Hz in USA, 50Hz in Europe).

What you will find is that an auto-transformer (or contractors transformer) powerful enough to run a heater and blower may be fairly large and heavy, cancelling out any benefit of the compact hood.

Also, if the unit is USA-standard 2-pin, you may have earthing/safety issues - not good if you're going to run it over a customer's wet hair!

I think you're entering a world of pain...

David
(a.k.a Profit of Doom)

Cheers John, David.
Safety considerations are a major concern, Maybe a new line of buisiness-'Mobile execution by electric chair'


John

Ask someone like AlanB about the issues - he's seen mains supplies both sides of the pond!

BTW: The USA approach to mains supply is quite different to ours - AFAIK, each house is supplied with 2 phases that add up to 220 volts. Most domestic kit uses one phase of 110 volts, but anything that requires more power uses both in series, giving 220 volts.

You will find 2-pin plugs, 2-pin plus earth, etc.

The UK contractor's transformer is 110v, made up of 2 windings of 55v, with the centre earthed (the theory is that if something goes wrong you're never more than 55v away from earth potential!). Trouble is, you probably won't get an earth connection...

SteveG - any comment? You've dealt with mains power issues, haven't you?

David

buy two and put em in series!

to be really pessimistic........

if something DID happen, I recon you might have probs with insurance, using 120v 60hz kit in the UK.

Also, I recon the average girlie would be a bit scared when your (big muscled - she will be) GF walks in with a contractor's transformer.



In answer to David.... you are right about the 2 phases - cookers and stuff in usa use both phases.

Im sure the americans on here could correct me if im wrong.....

Also, ive been told that every socket in an american home has its own 10a fuse and line to the fuse box. Therefore any cable from a socket - even if its a 60w bulb - has to be 10a as a consequence.

USA supplies also dont have a neutral as such. In the UK neutral is referenced to earth at the power station. So, only 'live' is hot.

In the USA there isnt any reference to earth so both are hot (55v each???).

I know this cos many years ago we nearly zapped our staff in the usa when we used single pole swithcing for the mains supply





atb

steve

[Edited on 3/8/04 by stephen_gusterson]

220volt is also an option in US. Could you contact suppliers and ask?

If its not dual voltage and it may be the only real thing to worry about is what current it draws.
If its heavy on juice a contractors 110 volt transformer may have to be used and they are quite heavy.
Why should the earthing be a problem do yank women get zapped on a regular basis when they have thier hair done, if its a concern just change the lead to a 3 core and earth out the appliance.
I cant see a problem John
Cheers,

quote:

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Originally posted by splitrivet
If its not dual voltage and it may be the only real thing to worry about is what current it draws.
If its heavy on juice a contractors 110 volt transformer may have to be used and they are quite heavy.
Why should the earthing be a problem do yank women get zapped on a regular basis when they have thier hair done, if its a concern just change the lead to a 3 core and earth out the appliance.
I cant see a problem John
Cheers,

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No read the post Steve, the current draw would affect how youd bring it down to 110 volt re transformer size.
I would have thought the supplier would realise we use 240 volt in the UK anyroad a quick email would sort that out.
Cheers,
Bob

Its ambiguous! (at least to me )



at the end of the day, the item is unlikely to have been approved to british stnadards, and would give big insurance problems if used commercially


I recon an average american shipping clerk would have no idea of the mains supply requirements in then uk.....

atb

steve

splitrivet
No read the post Steve, the current draw would affect how youd bring it down to 110 volt re transformer size.
I would have thought the supplier would realise we use 240 volt in the UK anyroad a quick email would sort that out.
Cheers,
Bob

In the states we have as mentioned 220 run to the panel where it splits to 110. Circuits are run through a circuit breaker with a HOT wire, one nuetral (aactually a second ground)and a ground. The only time there will be an extra circuit breaker is in a "wet" environment ie. Bathroom (loo) Kitchen or outdoors whe they have to be GFI (ground fault inturrupted). Large appliances stoves (cookers) Clothes dryers, water heaters etc run 220 VAC with 2 hot leads, and a ground.

When I travel over your way I have a converter to run a handheld hair dryer, shaver, cell phone, laptop etc...but that probably is too small for you application.

David

Wow, what a good response, I was only expecting ridicule for not realising my mistake.
the appliance is 120v 60Hz and a mere 400W.
So am I correct in thinking that a transformer only has to be rated around 3.33A?
400/120=3.33
If thats the case then RS Comps do a smallish step down tranny with yanky socket on the o/p side.
The dryer is fully enclosed in plastic and would be classed as double insulated over here, also the hood is remote from the heater/fan and connected by long concertina hose. Worth the risk?
Thanks guys.

John

AFAIK, if it's not CE marked you shouldn't be using it in the UK.
Hate to think of the consequences if an accident should occur - I think the insurers would take a dump on you big time....

quote:

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Originally posted by Stuart Ainslie
I think the insurers would take a dump on you big time....

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quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
Its ambiguous! (at least to me )



Dont call me that again till I look it up

With that wattage you shouldnt have a problem John, no matter what these harbingers of doom say,why worry.
Cheers,
Bob

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spunky - 3/8/04 at 02:54 PM

Ok then chaps, before I shell out £50 on a transformer, what other European countries use 240V (if any) These bloody soft hood dryers are not available in the UK any more

John

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David Jenkins - 3/8/04 at 02:57 PM

Any country in the EU... all nominally 230v +/- 10% (in other words 220 - 240).

You'll have to replace the plug, but no problem apart from that as it'll be CE-marked.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a transformer for personal use, but not for use on customers, in their own premises - legally too risky.

David

[Edited on 3/8/04 by David Jenkins]

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stephen_gusterson - 3/8/04 at 03:13 PM

as david says, in europe, they quote 230v.

In fact, it is still 220v I think- this allows the UK and Europe to be supposedly 230v, as they split the difference, and its still between the tolerance levels.


I think that the usa adaptors travellers use simply have a power diode in them - just lets half the AC waveform through. Dunno what the rating is, or how a motor would like it.

machine mart list the following trasnformers

CTR750/1 750VA 1 9 210x166x220 010710000 £42.95 £50.47

CTR1000/1 1000VA 1 10 210x166x220 010710010 £44.95 £52.82

CTR1500/2 1500VA 2 12 255x166x220 010710020 £57.95 £68.09

CTR2250/2 2250VA 2 17 275x189x250 010710030 £62.95 £73.97

CTR3300/2 3300VA 2 19 275x189x250 010710040 £59.95 £70.44


VA = watts


atb

steve

[Edited on 3/8/04 by stephen_gusterson]

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theconrodkid - 3/8/04 at 03:35 PM

poland is cheap for most stuff,i have a freind there

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David Jenkins - 3/8/04 at 06:09 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson

machine mart list the following trasnformers

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Steve,

You should quote the weights as well - that'll be the killer!

David

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spunky - 3/8/04 at 06:49 PM

The lightest I've found was 4.5Kg for a 500VA. Acceptable but I think I'll do some more googling for a CE marked unit.

Damn stupid car with no bloody luggage space

Thanks for the info/warnings guys

John

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stephen_gusterson - 3/8/04 at 07:42 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by David Jenkins

quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson

machine mart list the following trasnformers

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Steve,

You should quote the weights as well - that'll be the killer!

David

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I know. His gf will be able to kick his ass after a few home visits lugging that about!

atb

steve

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sgraber - 3/8/04 at 08:03 PM

It's quite common for us 'foreigners' traveling to the UK to bring our appliances. My wife takes her hair dryer and we take a nebulizer for my son too.

The unit you want is only $25 for a 500W continuous rated unit.

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?catalog1_0.html

Graber

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spunky - 3/8/04 at 08:29 PM

Mr Graber Sir. Thank you for the link.
Thats exactly what I want.
Incredible that you guys in the states pay $25 but over here its over $80 (equivalent) just becuse its considered industrial use!
Doesn't sort out the earthing issue but its the g/f that would get zapped handling it with wet hands, and 110V 400W, well that aint gonna hurt much is it....

Thanks for that Steve

John

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stephen_gusterson - 3/8/04 at 09:08 PM

bear in mind that if its a transformer, its gonna cost a fair bit in postage from the usa......

If its a switching inverter, it will be cheaper to send as not so many heavy bits

atb

steve

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sgraber - 3/8/04 at 09:26 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by spunky
Mr Graber Sir. Thank you for the link.
Thats exactly what I want.
Incredible that you guys in the states pay $25 but over here its over $80 (equivalent) just becuse its considered industrial use!
Doesn't sort out the earthing issue but its the g/f that would get zapped handling it with wet hands, and 110V 400W, well that aint gonna hurt much is it....

Thanks for that Steve

John

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I'm "positive" that it's grounded. :lol:

Also they are suprisingly light. So shipping should not be a problem.

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