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[HateEvent]

Hello peoples.

Dilemma here - I'm thinking about buying an amp from America and want to know all what I'd need to make it work over here (step down transformer?). I'm just trying to work out costs.

If you know where to get such things that would be excellent!

Thanks.

[Doc Ascension]

Step down transformer from ebay (obvb down to 110V)....

I have one for my Peavey Classic 50/50 Poweramp (US volatage) but because it's a 500w poweramp I needed a transformer of at least 500w, pref more - so my transformer is a hefty 850w capacity.

So firstly, determine the maximum power consumption of the amp (in Watts) and then find on eBay a transformer of at least 100w more than this...

My transformer is quite large, and weighs a massive 8Kg.... so you aren't looking at little plug adapters here!

Price wise you are looking at £40-£80 for the transformer and weight of 4-8kg. These are annoying to take with your amp - mine isn't because I have the poweramp rack mounted and the transformer shelf mounted on the rack below it - it's pretty heavy though!!

Hope that helps....

[HateEvent]

Originally Posted by Doc Ascension

Step down transformer from ebay (obvb down to 110V)....

I have one for my Peavey Classic 50/50 Poweramp (US volatage) but because it's a 500w poweramp I needed a transformer of at least 500w, pref more - so my transformer is a hefty 850w capacity.

So firstly, determine the maximum power consumption of the amp (in Watts) and then find on eBay a transformer of at least 100w more than this...

My transformer is quite large, and weighs a massive 8Kg.... so you aren't looking at little plug adapters here!

Price wise you are looking at £40-£80 for the transformer and weight of 4-8kg. These are annoying to take with your amp - mine isn't because I have the poweramp rack mounted and the transformer shelf mounted on the rack below it - it's pretty heavy though!!

Hope that helps....

Thanks Doc yeah it does help.

When I find out shipping costs I'll see how worthwhile this is!

[Sam L4]

New amp???

[Doc Ascension]

oh i should mention that the hrz difference between the 2 countries isn't an issue, some people may try to tell you that tube amps will have a weird buzzing sound because of the 50-60hrz difference but this will not be audible if it is at all present... so ignore that potential problem!....

here's some eBay transformers to get you started:

800w - The model I have
Another 800w, lighter weight
300w - cheap and light but might not be enough overhead

You must find the technical specifications of the amp to find the total wattage requirement... you might notice the Peavey poweramp is "50/50" which means stereo 50watts = 100w total..

This is NOT the wattage the amp requires and so a 100w transformer will be DANGEROUS to use with it, my amp is 500w so double check that you know the power requirements of the amp you are buying and that you have a transformer that puts out more than that, using a transformer with less capacity is simply dangerous to the equipment and you!

[black_matter]

Aww man i was all ready to whap out some knowledge of transformers the cartoon until i saw (usa amp)

[HateEvent]

Originally Posted by Doc Ascension

oh i should mention that the hrz difference between the 2 countries isn't an issue, some people may try to tell you that tube amps will have a weird buzzing sound because of the 50-60hrz difference but this will not be audible if it is at all present... so ignore that potential problem!....

here's some eBay transformers to get you started:

800w - The model I have
Another 800w, lighter weight
300w - cheap and light but might not be enough overhead

You must find the technical specifications of the amp to find the total wattage requirement... you might notice the Peavey poweramp is "50/50" which means stereo 50watts = 100w total..

This is NOT the wattage the amp requires and so a 100w transformer will be DANGEROUS to use with it, my amp is 500w so double check that you know the power requirements of the amp you are buying and that you have a transformer that puts out more than that, using a transformer with less capacity is simply dangerous to the equipment and you!

Thanks for that info again Doc!

I'd go for the 800W to be safe. I'll check what peak power is for this head but I reckon the 800 would be what I'd go for for the safety.

Originally Posted by Sam L4

New amp???

Quite possibly. Just need to calculate shipping and see if it's worthwhile

[stuartmaxwell]

remember you will get a customs and excise charge on the amp too, could be around £100 or more

unless you can convince the person to send it as a gift.

[HateEvent]

Originally Posted by stuartmaxwell

remember you will get a customs and excise charge on the amp too, could be around £100 or more

unless you can convince the person to send it as a gift.

Yeah man it's a guy on the ESP forums. He said he'd mark it as a gift.

I fairly got humped on customs on my ESP Hanneman - £350!

[Bonesaw Bazz]

even when sending it as a gift they have to put less than £25 of a value on it... and for insurance purposes they won't do this. Other option is saying it's a gift intended for personal use only not for resale but then they check bank accounts etc to make sure no money has been transfered from you to them by any means..

Depending on how old the amp you get is... decides whether a step down is needed. A guy Maxi pointed me towards can tweek the existing transformer (not sure how but he did explain it to me) to accept UK supply. If like in my case this isn't possible then an external one will be needed which is a fucking pain and weights a tonne haha. But at least it means i can use my Urban Camo 5150.... yas min!!

Ooka