Device Suggestsions for Converting 220/50Hz to 120/60Hz While inChile?

[W. Watson]

Any recommendations for a device to make the conversion mentioned in the
Subject line? I think I need a converter and plug (round prongs). At most I
would expect to be charging batteries for camera equipment. Now that I think
about it *maybe* a small solar panel (available at some sporting stores)
would do the trick. However, these can be bulky--maybe 18" long and 2-3" in
diameter in a suitcase.

 

[Joel Kolstad]

Any recommendations for a device to make the conversion mentioned in the
Subject line?

Converting from 50Hz to 60Hz is non-trivial (not difficult, but you need a
solid-state inverter to do so and these aren't found at your local mall).
However, most devices will be pretty happy on 120V, 60Hz and this is easy to
obtain with just a transformer, which you *can* find at your local mall.
Anything with a switching power supply will be perfectly happy with this
(e.g., PCs, LCD TVs, most battery chargers, etc.). Depending on the motor
design, tools may run more slowly and tend to get a little hotter, but unless
you're planning to make continuous use of high-power tools, practically
speaking this isn't a problem. Some clocks that rely on the frequency of the
AC line will, of course, run slow, but they won't be damaged.

If you have purely *resistive* loads such as hair dryers (with small universal
motors are OK), lamps, etc., you can find what are essentially just diodes at
a travel store. These converters are cheap (e.g., 1500W versions are <$10 in
many cases), but won't work for anything with a decent-sized transformer or
motor in it. Most switching power supplies are OK with them (most switching
power supplies really don't care that much at all about the exact waveform at
the input).

There are "hybrid" adapters with the diode and a small transformer... 1500W
load capacity using the diode, 50W or so load capacity using the transformer.
I've never quite figured out what the intended audience for these is --
perhaps people with old electric razors or something where the diode approach
just makes it buzz?

At most I would expect to be charging batteries for camera equipment.

Does your charger have a switching power supply? If so, first check to see if
it's a universal input voltage (90-240VAC) -- it may well be and all you need
is a plug adapter just so that you can physically connect it to the Chilean
mains.

---Joel

 

[Rich Grise]

Any recommendations for a device to make the conversion mentioned in the
Subject line? I think I need a converter and plug (round prongs). At most
I would expect to be charging batteries for camera equipment. Now that I
think about it *maybe* a small solar panel (available at some sporting
stores) would do the trick. However, these can be bulky--maybe 18" long
and 2-3" in diameter in a suitcase.

If your device uses a wall transformer ("wall wart"), then just buy a new
one at the destination, with the same output voltage as the origian, and
the same current rating or more, but I wouldn't recommend having WAY much
more capacity (maybe 10%-20% should be OK), especially if your wall wart
is unregulated.

Hope This Helps!
Rich

 

[Phil Allison]

"Joel Kolstad"

If you have purely *resistive* loads such as hair dryers (with small
universal motors are OK), lamps, etc., you can find what are essentially
just diodes at a travel store.
(snip)

There are "hybrid" adapters with the diode and a small transformer...
1500W load capacity using the diode, 50W or so load capacity using the
transformer. I've never quite figured out what the intended audience for
these is -- perhaps people with old electric razors or something where
the diode approach just makes it buzz?

** Your " diode " story is totally bogus.

A diode will NOT reduce 230 volts AC to 120 volts AC, even with a
resistive load. It will cut the *power* dissipation in half by removing
alternate half cycles - so the rms voltage drops to 163 from 230. Plus
there is an average DC value of about 104 volts. OK only if used to dim a
230 volt lamp a bit.

The device used in travel adaptors is a TRIAC - set to operate with a
low conduction angle, about 66 degrees out of 180 in each half cycle. This
DOES reduce 230 volts rms to 120 rms AC.

However, the TRIAC method WILL damage electronic loads ( whether
transformer or SMPS) as the peak voltage is still around 300 volts instead
of 170 as when sine wave AC power is supplied.



........ Phil

 

[John G]

Any recommendations for a device to make the conversion mentioned in
the Subject line? I think I need a converter and plug (round prongs).
At most I would expect to be charging batteries for camera equipment.
Now that I think about it *maybe* a small solar panel (available at
some sporting stores) would do the trick. However, these can be
bulky--maybe 18" long and 2-3" in diameter in a suitcase.

I don't know how backward the USA is now but in the rest of the world
lots of Wall Warts for camera batttery chargers and such are mostley
switching power supplies and rated for something like 100 to 240 volts
and 50/60 hz so if camera batteries is all you need then a plug adapter
which is available at RatSack and many gadget store at airports.
For a short trip most anything else can be borrowed in hotels etc in the
foreign country.
If your wall wart feels as heavy as a lump of iron then it is a
transformer but if it feels light then it is a switcher.
Best READ the nameplate.

John G.