| Author |
Message |
Guest
|
 Posted:
Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:
charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
The questions are:
1) Is it possible I damage the trimmer's battery or circuitry or motor
by feeding it with 1.5 or 3V instead of 2V?
2) Would I damage anything by feeding with 1000mA instead of 1100mA?
3) Would I damage anything by feeding with 50HZ instead of 60Hz?
4) For option b, the one transformer will sit on top of the other. Are
there any overheating issues here? If I am to use option b, should the
2 transformers be separated by cable so they do not touch each other?
5) Which option would you recommend, a or b ?
Thanx
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
James Sweet
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
<andreas.manoli@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1105782097.489841.247200@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
|
Or buy a transformer with the correct output from Wahl or find a similar
unit with the same ratings? It's a battery charger, shouldn't be too
critical, find something with close to the same current and voltage ratings.
| Quote: | b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
|
That shouldn't really be an issue, you're talking a few watts, the smallest
240v-120v transformer you can find should work nicely. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Spehro Pefhany
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
On 15 Jan 2005 01:41:37 -0800, the renowned andreas.manoli@gmail.com
wrote:
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
The questions are:
1) Is it possible I damage the trimmer's battery or circuitry or motor
by feeding it with 1.5 or 3V instead of 2V?
2) Would I damage anything by feeding with 1000mA instead of 1100mA?
3) Would I damage anything by feeding with 50HZ instead of 60Hz?
4) For option b, the one transformer will sit on top of the other. Are
there any overheating issues here? If I am to use option b, should the
2 transformers be separated by cable so they do not touch each other?
5) Which option would you recommend, a or b ?
Thanx
|
I have a 500W box that does b)-- it was not expensive. It also
converts the plugs. I'm going the other way, but it's the same thing.
It's an autotransformer. Not approved, but it's in a metal box and
seems unlikely to burst into flames.
A lot of chargers/adapters are universal these days (100-240VAC
input)-- especially for high-end or high power consumption equipment
such as digital cameras. But not all.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CWatters
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:46 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
<andreas.manoli@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1105782097.489841.247200@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies
|
No you can get quite small transformers that will do this.
Approx 50W model for £14 from...
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Transformer_Index/USA_110volt_Convertor_Transformer/index.html
"Designed to operate American type equipment ( 110/120v AC ) in the U.K." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mac
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:54 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 01:41:37 -0800, andreas.manoli wrote:
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
|
You are playing fast and loose with terminology here. The battery charger
is not a transformer. The output is DC.
| Quote: |
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
|
I think b is the better option. It is what I would try to do.
| Quote: |
The questions are:
1) Is it possible I damage the trimmer's battery or circuitry or motor
by feeding it with 1.5 or 3V instead of 2V?
|
Maybe.
| Quote: | 2) Would I damage anything by feeding with 1000mA instead of 1100mA?
|
This question doesn't really make sense. If the thing needs up to 1100 mA
at 2V, then that's what you should try to provide. But it's more
complicated than that. Some power supplies are actually battery chargers
which monitor both voltage and current. In general, I would not swap power
supplies without more detailed knowledge of what was going on.
However, if it is a fully-regulated, voltage-output power supply, you can
definitely swap it with another fully-regulated voltage-output power
supply of the same Voltage and the same or higher capacity (amperage). For
our purposes, I would think 1000mA is close enough to 1100mA to be called
the same, but I wouldn't feel comfortable about the difference between 2
and 3 Volts.
| Quote: | 3) Would I damage anything by feeding with 50HZ instead of 60Hz?
|
Very unlikely. There might be slightly more ripple on the internal
circuitry, but it will probably not be fatal.
| Quote: | 4) For option b, the one transformer will sit on top of the other. Are
there any overheating issues here? If I am to use option b, should the
2 transformers be separated by cable so they do not touch each other?
|
I would use the "try it and see" approach. Most likely they will not
overheat, but if they seem to be getting too hot, you could just separate
them with small metal spacers of some sort.
| Quote: | 5) Which option would you recommend, a or b ?
|
For me, b.
--Mac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NSM
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:48 am Post subject:
Re: DANGER: Charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
<andreas.manoli@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1105782097.489841.247200@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Hi,
| I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
|
| I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
| for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
....
| b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
| AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
120 VAC will smoke the charger. You need a 240 V to 100 V transformer to
allow for the lower frequency. Trust me, I've lost more than my share.
N |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
J. Yazel
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:17 am Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
On 15 Jan 2005 01:41:37 -0800, andreas.manoli@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
Thanx
======================= |
Have you contacted the manufacturer to see if they have a 240v
charger?
Jack |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
James Sweet
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:53 am Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
"Mac" <foo@bar.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.01.15.16.56.44.929242@bar.net...
| Quote: | On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 01:41:37 -0800, andreas.manoli wrote:
Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
You are playing fast and loose with terminology here. The battery charger
is not a transformer. The output is DC.
|
While technically it's not a transformer, the major component in it *is* a
transformer so calling the whole unit a transformer is not uncommon or
entirely incorrect. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
klasspappa[remove]
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:00 am Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
you can build your own autotransformer with almost ANY transformer.
take one with 2 primary.
connect the two in series for 240vac.
and feed your equipment from ONE of the primary.
isolate the secondary (that can be at any voltage)
NOTE this transformer while NOT isolate you from main.
Mr Nisse
andreas.manoli@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
b) Buy a transformer for the transformer! (transform 240V AC to 120V
AC) . The issue here is bulk, overheating and different frequencies.
The questions are:
1) Is it possible I damage the trimmer's battery or circuitry or motor
by feeding it with 1.5 or 3V instead of 2V?
2) Would I damage anything by feeding with 1000mA instead of 1100mA?
3) Would I damage anything by feeding with 50HZ instead of 60Hz?
4) For option b, the one transformer will sit on top of the other. Are
there any overheating issues here? If I am to use option b, should the
2 transformers be separated by cable so they do not touch each other?
5) Which option would you recommend, a or b ?
Thanx
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mac
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:53:31 +0000, James Sweet wrote:
| Quote: |
"Mac" <foo@bar.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.01.15.16.56.44.929242@bar.net...
On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 01:41:37 -0800, andreas.manoli wrote:
Hi,
I live in Europe where the electricity is 240V and 50HZ
I just bought a (WAHL) hair trimmer from the USA. The battery charger
for the hair trimmer is made for USA (input 120VAC, 60HZ, 5W) and has
output 2.0V DC and 1100mA.
Obviously I cannot use this charger here. I think that there are two
ways to charge my trimmer:
a) Buy a variable transformer and replace it (Local shops sell
variable transformers with output 1.5 or 3V and 1000mA ). I called a
shop and they said that with less mA it will just take longer to charge
and it does not matter if the voltage is 1.5 or 3 .He said that the
trimmer's original transformer output shouldn't be exactly 2V anyway.
You are playing fast and loose with terminology here. The battery charger
is not a transformer. The output is DC.
While technically it's not a transformer, the major component in it *is* a
transformer
|
True.
| Quote: | so calling the whole unit a transformer is not uncommon or
entirely incorrect.
|
Maybe. But then the OP should have called it a "transformer" in the first
paragraph, too.
Because it was called a "charger" in the first paragraph and a
"transformer" subsequently, I was genuinely confused and had to
re-read the whole post.
--Mac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NSM
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
"Mac" <foo@bar.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.01.16.04.55.24.366737@bar.net...
| Maybe. But then the OP should have called it a "transformer" in the first
| paragraph, too.
|
| Because it was called a "charger" in the first paragraph and a
| "transformer" subsequently, I was genuinely confused and had to
| re-read the whole post.
It seemed clear it was a wall-wart. But if he runs it on 50 Hz at 120 VAC
it'll be toast.
N |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:12 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
NSM wrote:
| Quote: | "Mac" <foo@bar.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.01.16.04.55.24.366737@bar.net...
| Maybe. But then the OP should have called it a "transformer" in the
first
| paragraph, too.
|
| Because it was called a "charger" in the first paragraph and a
| "transformer" subsequently, I was genuinely confused and had to
| re-read the whole post.
It seemed clear it was a wall-wart. But if he runs it on 50 Hz at 120
VAC
it'll be toast.
N
From your postings I see that I should use a transformer of 240V->120V
(and if the charger burns out in the future for whatever reason, then I |
will buy a variable transformer) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reg Edwards
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
| We've had quite enough of USA devices in Europe, particularly in Yugoslavia. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NSM
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Jan 17, 2005 1:22 am Post subject:
Re: charge an american device in Europe |
|
|
<andreas.manoli@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1105866744.123630.220540@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| From your postings I see that I should use a transformer of 240V->120V
| (and if the charger burns out in the future for whatever reason, then I
| will buy a variable transformer)
The problem is that the US transformer products have JUST enough iron for
120 VAC at 60 Hz. If you run them at 100 VAC on 50 Hz they will survive
(100/120 == 50/60). Used to do that in New Zealand and everything still ran
OK.
N |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Jones
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Jan 17, 2005 2:00 am Post subject:
Re: double standards (was: charge an american device in Euro |
|
|
Reg Edwards wrote:
| Quote: | We've had quite enough of USA devices in Europe, particularly in Yugoslavia.
|
I've had quite enough "double standards" regardless of country.
Some drive kilometers/hour, some pay in pesos, some drink fluid
ounces. Why is there a MMF but no milli-farad? How many yen is 10
euros? Why is spacecraft velocity measured in terrestral units/sec
instead of relative to C? A megohm is how many Mmho? How much does a
drop of liquid _____ weigh? A Siemen is what? How much does a 10-penny
nail cost? Will a euro device work in Pakistan? How tall is a horse?
How far is it to Alpha Centauri? How many cars still use a positive
chassis? How much energy does a hydrogen atom contain?
Oh dear, what was my name again?
It's not so much that it is too difficult to learn all these units
and standards, but the question is *why* all the units and standards?
Why must we devote so much cognitive effort to what amounts to
unneccesary and completely unproductive complexity? Is that going to
make us smarter? I'd wager that millions of hours of cognitive time is
wasted every day just in the confusion and adaptation of units and
measures. Why must we defend all these standards? Why must they
endure? Why not simplify the entire mess nad get everyone on the same
page? Why not *remove* some standards for a change, instead of
creating more new ones? At what point must something give? At what
point will the design break down? When is enough?
If the UK can systematically convert its entire economy over to a new
currency without so much as a hiccup, what does that say about our
capabilities?
I know, I know. Regarding scientists, the discoverers do deserve
credit for their discoveries. In elementary school we are taught
presidents and world history - but never who Ohm or Volta or Maxwell
is. This should be changed - it is important to know all the major
discoverers. So instead, we use their names in units of measurement.
Ohms and Volts and Maxwell's Equations. How flattering it must be, to
have your name used in daily conversation forever... and also how
egotistical. An airoplane isn't called a "DaVinci Flyer," even though
in many aspects he might have been the biggest initial conduit to
conceptualization. What's more, we're so accustomed to calling them
"planes" that "DaVinci Flyer" sounds downright absurd. Well most units
and measures sound like this literally. An ohm could be known as a
"hwernyoe" and as long as we learned it that way, that would sound
correct to us. Does "22 hwernyoe @ 12 yequilads = 0.545454 popuzingas"
make sense to you?
How about 12E / 22R = 0.545454I?
Defend it, if you must.
But if everyone used X EMF at X Frequency with X style plug, then
there'd be no bitching. Whose fault is that? Surely you don't say it's
all the US's fault. Is the logic "if all else fails, blame the US?" I
can't blame any country (even the US) for wanting to "retain their
individuality" but come on. Anyone who creates a double standard has
to live with the consequences. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy foreign
goods. I have to convert mL into quarts and pints all the time. But
wouldn't it be nice to have one set of standards?
Things would be very different, if I had a say in it. I suppose
you're glad I don't. Well at least we've got the free-speech thing
down, for the most part. Two billion more advancements to go.
-- "It's the new millennium. Do you know where your kids are?"
(Sponserd bt the fookt-on-honiks skool for newage edjumication) MCJ
20050116 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in