Running a US amp in the UK

[Dazza1004]

any issues running at US amp in the UK other than the obvious voltage ?.

The amp I am interested in has a voltage transformer included.

cheers

[Spitfire]

if the step down transformer is included.. it should be fine

[Dazza1004]

cool, thanks  :D

[HTH AMPS]

what type of amp is it?  you will most likely be able to get the correct mains transformer from the UK distributor so you don't need to use a step down transformer.

[Frank]

240 Volts is 240 Volts, whether it's from the wall socket or from a transformer. As long as the transformer has a high enough power rating for the amp you should be fine. I'm going to err on the side of caution and say if in doubt, get a tech to look it over. If you know the amount of current your amplifier draws at 240V then just make sure the VA rating of the transformer is sufficient for the job.

[Dmoney]

240 Volts is 240 Volts, whether it's from the wall socket or from a transformer. As long as the transformer has a high enough power rating for the amp you should be fine. I'm going to err on the side of caution and say if in doubt, get a tech to look it over. If you know the amount of current your amplifier draws at 240V then just make sure the VA rating of the transformer is sufficient for the job.

this doesnt sound right to me. maybe im misunderstanding.
a US amp will generally run on 120volts, even though it could run on a few voltages, that might not be wired in to a switch for example. in which case you need a 'step down' transformer to shift 240volts down to 120volts.

running 240volts into a 120volt amp doesnt work. ive accidentally knocked the voltage switch on my marshall before to 120volts and then plugged in 240. it evaporated the mains fuse.

HTH is on about replacing the transformer with one for EU voltages.

[Dazza1004]

what type of amp is it?  you will most likely be able to get the correct mains transformer from the UK distributor so you don't need to use a step down transformer.

it's a bogner xtc (damm you Hunter  :D ) 

Having seen the step down transformer I am not so keen, it's something else to forget / carry / go wrong at gigs

Not asked but I suspect a replacement 240v mains transformer will be pricey.

Ta for the info though.

[jpfamps]

It would be worth checking with the distrubutor as several amps have the mains transformer primary wound so that it can be wired to run on either 120V or 240V rather than having a separate transformer for different voltages.

If this is the case you would be looking at quite a cheap modification.

[HTH AMPS]

If the PT can't be rewired for 240v as JPF says, then a replacement shouldn't run you any more than £75 (even at the scandalous prices most distributors seem to charge).

If you're shelling out all that money for a Bogner, I think its worthwhile as you're bound to forget the external step down tx (my mate did all the time when he had amps from the US with no 240v option)

[jpfamps]

Only one of my amps is UK voltage and it is indeed a pain having to take a step down transformer to gigs, which is one of the reasons I generally use my one UK voltage amp.

[Dazza1004]

from a quick search of the Bogner forum it seems Bogner will not supply an offical UK spec tranny, there is a mercury magnetic one that was being quoted at $400.

thanks to all for the info, I am going to leave it and go for a proper Uk model.

[jpfamps]

Customer service for you.....

I assume that this is to stop members of the public importing amps from the US.

I can't believe that they wouldn't supply one to an "official" repair centre. They may ask for the serial number though and refuse to supply the transformer if the amp was not an export model.

$400 + shipping and import duty by the way.

[HTH AMPS]

If you can take the amp to a tech, he will be able to figure out the PT specs - you don't necessarily need an official Bogner one.

also, $400 sounds alot even for Mercury Magnetics - couldn't see this on their website either.

[Dmoney]

not really relevant. but i can tell you an empty head shell from bogner is between £400-£500 (not $)
just wood and such. no amp.

i changed the PT in one of my amps recently and i didnt find much change in tone. went from an old drake to a hammond. just sayin maybe its worth looking around and seeing what you can get.

[HTH AMPS]

Mercury tell me that they don't make a xtc repro mains transformer - you must have been quoted for a custom piece (hence $400).