Device Suggestsions for Converting 220/50Hz to 120/60Hz While in Chile?
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Posted by W. Watson on October 10, 2007, 11:44 am
Please log in for more thread options 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. -- Wayne Watson (Nevada City, CA) Web Page: <speckledwithStars.net>
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Posted by Joel Kolstad on October 10, 2007, 12:47 pm
Please log in for more thread options > 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 | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Phil Allison on October 10, 2007, 11:14 pm
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"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 | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Rich Grise on October 10, 2007, 2:42 pm
Please log in for more thread options On Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:44:39 -0700, W. Watson wrote:
> 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 | |||||||||||||
