Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: AdamB on February 03, 2009, 01:59:17 PM
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If this is in the wrong section, i'm sorry.
What are the best/safest way to run an American amp in the UK?
I always see great american gear for sale, and although my bank balance says no, sometimes i just want them! You know how it is :D
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get a step up transformer with a power rating high enough to run the amp..
when i had my American voltage mesa mk4.. i contacted mesa and asked them how much power the amp draws.. it was somehting like 900w.. so i got a 1kw step up power transformer.
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Step down transformer is what you're after (220/110Volt).
Quick search found this:
http://www.euronetwork.co.uk/acatalog/Voltage_transformers.html
There's going to be some people on here who will be able to better advise things like how this will affect tone (which it probably will).
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Cheers for the link!
Can a power supply really affect tone?
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No.
You can get the transformers from Maplins.
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Would this be like the minimum i'd need....?
http://www.euronetwork.co.uk/acatalog/Voltage_Transformer_Step_down_240_120V_1000VA_5496_19-1044.html (http://www.euronetwork.co.uk/acatalog/Voltage_Transformer_Step_down_240_120V_1000VA_5496_19-1044.html)
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yea stepdown thats what i ment lol.. damn im going mad thesedays.
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I use one of these:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=13358 (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=13358)
300va will be enough for a 100W amp. £39.99.
I've been using one for years.
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Nice one Martin, thanks :D
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Many modern amps have there mains transformers wound such that they can be wired for 120V or 240V operation, in which case any competent tech would be able to perform a conversion (thus saving the inconvenience and extraweight).
Another alternative is to buy a replacement export transformer and have this fitted. I've done this for Fender amps and it still works out cheaper than buying one in the UK (even with the charge for fitting).
Obviously if you convert to 240V operation you should reduce the mains fuse to about 1/2 the value for 120V operation.
Export transformers are usually larger as UK mains is 50 Hz rather than 60 Hz in the US (you need a larger iron core to avoid saturation).
If you do get an external transformer, the VA rating should be above the power consumption of the amplifier by a reasonable margin, say at the very least 25% more, although the bigger the better.
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Check out the transformers I get to play with:
http://www.brushtransformers.com/product-listing/1005
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Oh dear Adam, what's caught your eye now? :lol:
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It was a limited edition VHT classic chrome fronted power amp! :D
It was $3000 and i don't need it what so ever, i was just thinking that if i did, would it be easy enough to get a voltage converter?
Always on the look out! haha!
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It was a limited edition VHT classic chrome fronted power amp! :D
It was $3000 and i don't need it what so ever, i was just thinking that if i did, would it be easy enough to get a voltage converter?
Always on the look out! haha!
That's completely random mate! :lol:
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I just got a voltage coverter for Amazon for my PQ-4 which has American socket thing, piece 'o cake!
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It was a limited edition VHT classic chrome fronted power amp! :D
It was $3000 and i don't need it what so ever, i was just thinking that if i did, would it be easy enough to get a voltage converter?
Always on the look out! haha!
But then you'd need an Egnater M4 to go with it! :P
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Sorry I forgot to add, I would be very cautious about buying a 120 V amp with an IEC lead, because sooner or later someone will plug a UK IEC lead into it and plug it into 240 V.
With luck you will only blow a fuse, but you could also be looking at a new mains transformer + other components in the power supply that "don't like it up 'em" eg filter caps.
Sadly, I've seen this happen too many times........
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It was a limited edition VHT classic chrome fronted power amp! :D
It was $3000 and i don't need it what so ever, i was just thinking that if i did, would it be easy enough to get a voltage converter?
Always on the look out! haha!
But then you'd need an Egnater M4 to go with it! :P
My thoughts exactly! :lol: