HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Ascension Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam 45 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 New amp??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Ascension Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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 haveAnother 800w, lighter weight300w - cheap and light but might not be enough overheadYou 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_matter Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Aww man i was all ready to whap out some knowledge of transformers the cartoon until i saw (usa amp) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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 haveAnother 800w, lighter weight300w - cheap and light but might not be enough overheadYou 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.New amp???Quite possibly. Just need to calculate shipping and see if it's worthwhile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 remember you will get a customs and excise charge on the amp too, could be around 100 or moreunless you can convince the person to send it as a gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 remember you will get a customs and excise charge on the amp too, could be around 100 or moreunless 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonesaw Bazz Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 The guy said he has sent amps to people in the UK before and marked it as a gift and never had any problems with it before. ?( Pics of the UC 5150! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeid Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Make sure your transformer is properly grounded. I bought a cheap transformer from Maplin for my Mesa and was lucky not to get electrocuted by my mic. Everytime I pressed into the mic to sing, I was endangering my life. Scary.My girlfriend's parents obviously like me cos they bought me a grounded one and I've not come close to death since. Aye, it's a heavy beast, but the amp is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Make sure your transformer is properly grounded. I bought a cheap transformer from Maplin for my Mesa and was lucky not to get electrocuted by my mic. Everytime I pressed into the mic to sing, I was endangering my life. Scary.My girlfriend's parents obviously like me cos they bought me a grounded one and I've not come close to death since. Aye, it's a heavy beast, but the amp is worth it.Oh this amp certainly will be. All necessary precautions will be taken don't worry!Anyone for a Powerball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbage Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 dude, might be worth getting the amp's own power transformer checked to see if its possible to re-wire it for 240V's.On my home made 18w head it's possible to wire the power transformer for 115-120V's or 240V's. it is just a case of wiring the primary windings is series for 240 and in parallel for 120. would save having to carry a second transformer about!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 i agree with this chap ^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonesaw Bazz Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 dude, might be worth getting the amp's own power transformer checked to see if its possible to re-wire it for 240V's.On my home made 18w head it's possible to wire the power transformer for 115-120V's or 240V's. it is just a case of wiring the primary windings is series for 240 and in parallel for 120. would save having to carry a second transformer about!!that's what he said!! But my auld amp canna be converted this way... bugger.She ain't finished yet and i have added the black corner protectors since this but ye get the idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 it sounded fucking mighty on sat night.dennis must have done some of his wizardry on it, i aint heard a 5150 sounds as good as that ever. it was fucking excellentnot to mention it gives me an excuse to call you colnel coleslaw now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Check the amp first. A lot of modern stuff will run on dual voltages, or at least give you a switch to set it for either, so you could get off fine without needing a transformer at allDavid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Ascension Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 It is definately possible for some amps internal transformers to be rewired for accepting a UK voltage (something about wiring from parallel to series of vice-versa) but you will almost certainly want this done by a professional, and it's not possible on all amps.This actually might be a better option for you because you won't need to huff a 4kg transformer around with the amp - and it won't cost much more. I use a transformer because it sits perfectly in my rack without being a pest - but I reckon I'd be well worth finding a specialist who can check if you can reconfigure the amp's transformer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 me and bazz got this guy to do it. he is cheap, and is the only approved mesa specialist in scotland. he also builds some fantastic amps. he also does a lot of tweaking on the amp with stuff that i have no idea about, but it makes it sound betterHome - Preamplifiers, amps for professional musicians, recording studios - Emerson Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted March 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Cheers Maxi - I'll keep that in mind. When posing the same question on another forum, I got this reply:"You can jumper the SE internally 110V or 230V wiring..."So hopefully it's gonna be easier to get everything sorted than I first though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Ascension Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 sounds good - you will definately be able to go down the hard-mod path - FAR better than external transformer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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