100V appliance on 110v power supply

[TJ Hertz]

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

Thanks,

 

[Phil Allison]

"TJ Hertz"

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can
I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

** Only by taking the item to an audio service shop and having them run
tests ( using a " variac" and AC current meter) will you find out your
answer.

I often do this for customers so they know the right size and type of
step-down to use.


.......... Phil

 

[TimPerry]

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

Thanks,

It probably needs to be 100V. assuming it uses +/- 15Vdc internally the
10% or so may make the regulators run hot and therefore have shortened
life.

You can find the manual here http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html

Its possible that the internal transformer can be required for your voltage.
If not a buck/boost transformer in addition to the 240 to 120 step down
transformer will be needed.

An autotransformer would also work but i would not recomend it for the
average user as it would be too easy for it to get misadjusted and
consiquently blow up your vintage gear.

 

[Ben Bradley]

In rec.audio.pro, alt.electronics and alt.engineering.electrical, On
Tue, 31 May 2005 02:21:23 GMT, "TJ Hertz"

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

As others answered, as-is it's best to put a 'nominal' 100V into
it. But open it up (or look on the back panel, even), see if there are
any switches or plugs around the transformer. There might be two, one
to switch between 100V or 120V, the other for (100-120V) or
(200-240V). It could be as easy as moving a plug around to make it
work on a 'nominal' USA 120V line voltage.

I looked at the manual, found here:
http://www.akaipro.com/archives.html
direct link if you're really lazy:
http://www.akaipro.com/archive_doc/S1000Manual.zip
and didn't see anything about a 100V option. It says:
120VAC, 60Hz (USA, Canada)
220VAC, 50Hz (Europe, except UK)
240VAC, 50OHz (UK, Australia)
but never says how to switch between them, or if it's possible or
neccesary.
I also have no clue whether this is a switching or a linear supply,
though a knowledgable person could tell which it is with about three
seconds of looking at the innards. This can make a difference in how
and whether it can be (or even needs to be) switched.

 

[TJ Hertz]

...

I wouldn't risk 110V. So get a 10-12V transformer and hook it up
to "buck" part of the 110V to reduce it to ~100V.

Can you explain this in more detail? Thanks.

 

[Dimitrios Tzortzakakis]

The extension for japanese websites is .co.jp , and most products made for
japanese market aren't probably even listed in international sites.Even if
TJ does it with the voltage, there's still the problem with the different
mains frequency.Evenmore, I never liked the transformer solution, they are
bulky, poorly constructed and add another ring in the chain so it's
difficult to troubleshoot the appliance.IMHO TJ should buy something from
the UK, that best fits his needs.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Dimitrios Tzortzakakis"

The extension for japanese websites is .co.jp , and most products made for
japanese market aren't probably even listed in international sites.Even if
TJ does it with the voltage, there's still the problem with the different
mains frequency.

** Japan has both 50Hz and 60 Hz AC power, see:

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

As a result, appliances made for their local market normally have
transformers made to cope with 50 Hz.

As a rule, even Japanese gear sold into the USA is OK on 50 Hz power, it is
only US and Canadian made gear sold for local use where the transformers are
sized purely for 60 Hz.





............. Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

"Richard Crowley"

Usually only high-power equipment, or older equipment that
uses synchronous motors is mains-frequency sensitive. This
classic synth seems like it would not fit into either category.

** Err - what is your idea of "high-power" ??

I regularly see AC transformers that run at an unsafe high temp because of
being used on 50 Hz power - when they were originally engineered for 60
Hz. The VA ratings involved are anywhere from 5 VA upwards.

Where low temp grades of enamel wire ( ie 90C) have been used - burn out
failures are a common event too.

Seems unlikely that anyone could find a classic (which I took
to mean long out of production) Japanese synth wired for UK power.

** Huh ????

So you think that Akai never sold export models of a "classic" synth into
the UK, Europe and Aussie ??



............. Phil

 

[Steve Urbach]

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

Thanks,

You may have 2 problems:

1) Japan is 60Hz, UK is 50 Hz. Mains transformers and motors need
more iron for 50Hz and may overheat without it.

2) 240 to 100V Voltage, It may be simpler to go the 240V @ 50Hz to
12VDC and run a 60Hz inverter designed for Japans 100V.
, _
, | \ MKA: Steve Urbach
, | )erek No JUNK in my email please
, ____|_/ragonsclaw [email protected]
, / / / Running United Devices "Cure For Cancer" Project 24/7 Have you helped? http://www.grid.org

 

[Phil Allison]

"Steve Urbach"
"TJ Hertz"

You may have 2 problems:

1) Japan is 60Hz, UK is 50 Hz. Mains transformers and motors need
more iron for 50Hz and may overheat without it.

** Japan has both 50Hz and 60 Hz AC power, see:

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

As a result, appliances made for their local market normally have
transformers made to cope with 50 Hz.



2) 240 to 100V Voltage, It may be simpler to go the 240V @ 50Hz to
12VDC and run a 60Hz inverter designed for Japans 100V.


** Insane.




............... Phil

 

[Dimitrios Tzortzakakis]

So, that's a synth?I thought that TJ with "sampler"meant some new japanese,
super high-tech device yet unknown to me.Then definitely, find maybe some
electrician or some kind of expert, that will take the responsibility (very
important point) to make your vintage gear working in UK.

 

[Dimitrios Tzortzakakis]

I understand that, but I think that probably japanese products will have
labels and instructions in japanese, and most companies have an entirely
different brand-name in japanese, than in export models.The problems with
different voltages and frequencies appear in European Union railways.In
Switzerland,Austria and Germany, the catenary system is 15kV, 16 2/3 HZ, and
of course everything, from normal locomotives to the high speed ICE is
designed only for this.In France is 1.5 kV and 3 kV DC, and in Greece we
have now 25 kV 50 Hz, so a German series locomotive would be totally
useless.

 

[Dimitrios Tzortzakakis]

Anyway, I don't think that the 10 volt difference would be much of a
problem, in Europe we used to have a 220/380 V (0.38 kV) three-phase
distribution system, with grounded-star secondary in substation
transformers, but I received a letter from our utility claiming that nominal
voltages are to change to 230/400 V (0.4 kV).That means that a 30 year old
radio or amplifier will be kaputt?Of course not.Modern switchgear also has a
230/400 V label, and older had 220/380 V labels.

--
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
major in electrical engineering, freelance electrician
FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr

In alt.engineering.electrical [email protected] wrote:
|
| | The extension for japanese websites is .co.jp , and most products made for
| | japanese market aren't probably even listed in international sites.Even if
| | TJ does it with the voltage, there's still the problem with the different
| | mains frequency.Evenmore, I never liked the transformer solution, they are
| | bulky, poorly constructed and add another ring in the chain so it's
| | difficult to troubleshoot the appliance.IMHO TJ should buy something from
| | the UK, that best fits his needs.
|
| While Japan does have an unusual voltage, the mains frequency tends to
| not be a problem with equipment manufactured for the Japanese market,
| or generally by Japanese manufacturers (some excepts will exist). This
| is due to the fact that Japan is split in half with respect to frequency.
| The eastern part is 60 Hz while the western part is 50 Hz. It makes for
| some complications in sharing power across a national electric grid.
| But it also means they have very good experience making things that work
| fine on both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, which can be applied to exported products
| even though other voltages (110-127 and 208-240) would be involved.

Actually, I got that reversed. The east is 50 Hz while the west is 60 Hz.

http://ka9wgn.ham.org/ |

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

 

[Phil Allison]

"Dimitrios Tzortzakakis"

I understand that,

** Like fucking hell you do.

but I think that probably japanese products will have
labels and instructions in japanese, and most companies have an entirely
different brand-name in japanese, than in export models.

** The unit is a local Japanese model ( hence rated for 100 volts) - see
the original post.

The problems with
different voltages and frequencies appear in European Union railways.

** Tres fucking irrelevant - mate.




............ Phil




In

 

[Phil Allison]

"Dimitrios Tzortzakakis"


** Cut out the top posting - fuckhead !!!

Anyway, I don't think that the 10 volt difference would be much of a
problem,

** Except that is it actually a 20 volt ( 20% ) overvoltage - easily
creating a 200 to 300% over current.

So called "110 volt" stepdown transformers are, in reality, rated to deliver
120 volts from a 240 volt input.

in Europe we used to have a 220/380 V (0.38 kV) three-phase
distribution system,

** More irrelevant shite - mate.

Blokes with you sort of name run hamburger round shops where I live.



.............. Phil

 

[Rich Grise]

I've got a Japanese-bought AKAI S1000 sampler that says "100v AC" on the
back. I live in the UK, where the power supply is 240V or thereabouts. Can I
use a 110V transformer, or does it need to be strictly 100V?

As you've probably noticed by now, there's lots of noise on USENET.

If you can get a UK/100V transformer, do that, unless the AKAI is switch-
or jumper-selectable for different mains - I noticed that the manual does
mention UK wiring, but it was about taking care that it's earthed properly
and that hot and neutral are wired properly - this suggests to me that
there is either a jumper plug, a switch, or a terminal board to select
mains voltage. If so, then clearly this is the way to go.

If there isn't a switch or jumper plug on the back panel, and you're
not afraid to open up the case, take a look. It might be glaringly
obvious what you need to do, but if you see no options whatever, then
use the transformer. If it looks like there are options for different
solder connections, you might be able to figure it out, if you're handy
with a soldering iron. If you aren't confident of your electronics
skills, the wisest course of action (unless you can get a proper 240/100V
transformer for less than, say, UKP35-50) your safest option is to take it
to a qualified service person - they could do the switchover in a matter
of minutes, if it can be switched over. Failing that, the transformer
is the only option.

I'm hesitant to recommend a buck arrangement, unless you're confident
that you know what you're doing, but if it isn't switchable, and you
already have the 110V transformer, then this would be the cheapest.

Good Luck!
Rich