115VAC / 230VAC Converter

koslov · 11-15-2002, 03:00 AM

Uh... I think I just bought a massive AC/DC power supply . Only prob is that it's 230V. And no, I'm not unplugging the washing machine to power it. So I was looking for some AC/AC converters to get 230V from a regular 115V power outlet.

I found this: http://www.grandview.com.hk/product/e/ac_ac.htm . That looks perfect... but it's made in Hong Kong. After an hour of google-ing, my search for a reseller was fruitless. So I either need to find a similar converter or figure out who sells these things in the US.

Or... would it be possible just to run the power supply straight from 115V? I only need 1/3 or so of the max output, so if the output amperage is compromised, I can deal with it.

If any EE's or other electrically savvy people could help me with this, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

PS: If you are wondering why the hell this is in the pelt forum, just guess what I want to power with that monster.

mo · 11-15-2002, 07:22 AM

Items like that are usually readily available in electronics stores... also electronic repair shops will often carry them.

Many people who move to the states from the east for example will bring their electronics with them which are all 230V...

koslov · 11-15-2002, 12:00 PM

Damn, lost the auction. Thanks for the info anyway, maybe I'll buy the next one that comes up. I thought I would have the high bid, but alas, someone wanted it more.

punish3r · 11-30-2002, 06:31 AM

koslov, if you're even mildly proficient with a pair of needle nose and are somewhat confident in your ability to handle copper wire, just build what you need. The majority of the GOOD high-power (20A+) 115V/230V converters are just beefy ass transformers. Basically, two coils of wire. Yes, there's more to it than that, but with a bit of research (less than a day's worth) you could prolly find yourself a decent size ferrite core, some heavy gauge enameled solid copper wire, and the instructions on what to do with them to render yourself a good step-up transformer. Now, the big question is, would you have done all this for naught if the wiring in your house can't handle it?

Standard wallplug = 115v @ 15A (Breaker current) = 1725W

Your PS (assuming submodel 24) 24v @ 41.6A = 998.4W out of a 1000W rated unit.

So if the output is 998.4W @ 87% efficiency, your total (approx) power drain on the input circuit would be right under 1150W (1147 and change, but who's counting)

Assuming standard insulation thickness on your wires, etc, etc Yeah, it would work. Just don't go plugging anything else into that other plug on the faceplate (unless it's individually circuited too) also remember that your unit it fused at 10A on the incoming line, so if you're stepping up to 230v your total available power sink before fuse destruction is 2300W. There's also the 8ms, 230v @ 40A inrush at power-on. But hey, unless you're running some ultra specialty shit in your breaker box, it shouldn't trip (regularly). Or you could install a special high amp run with a 30A breaker, or feed it off two seperate breakers, or, or, or...

nOv1c3 · 12-05-2002, 01:38 AM

Gives these guys a look

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...480&type=store

Alchemy · 12-06-2002, 11:35 AM

While we're at it, why don't we just perform heart surgery on ourselves.

Jesus Christ, don't tell people to build these sorts of things without making it abundantly clear how dangerous this is. Yeah, inductors are pretty simple, but when you're working with house current, it doesn't take much to start a fire, completely destroy an appendage, or kill yourself. Odds aren't particularly great that the house breakers will trip *before* any of these things happen.

Maybe you're experienced enough to do this sort of work, and maybe koslov is too, but plenty of people reading this are not, and may be led to believe this is less dangerous than it really is.

Alchemy

Since87 · 12-06-2002, 11:54 AM

Gotta agree with Alchemy.

You might convince yourself that you know what you're doing with a day of googling.

You'd most likely be wrong, and being wrong could be very dangerous.

Ferrite cores are not used in transformers for 60 Hz power.

There's no way you're going to design an effective step up transformer with ferrite cores. There is a fair likelihood you'd start a fire though.

bigben2k · 12-06-2002, 12:29 PM

Here here. I can't believe I missed this one.

If you want to step down 220, you must use a comercially available solution. It'll all be tested (UL, etc...) so you know it won't fail or cause a fire.

I spent 1 year in college, in electronics, so I wouldn't hesitate to build my own PSU, but even I've zapped myself numerous times.

iroc409 · 12-07-2002, 09:11 PM

dontcha hate it when you're reparing a laptop power converter and you turn it on to test the thing with the case off, decide you need to pick it up, and accidently grab on one of the coil-looking thingies? (not the transformer). it feels funny

i guess i never got far enough in EE to know before hand that those things can shock you ;P

11-15-2002, 03:00 AM	#1
koslov Cooling Savant Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Posts: 264	115VAC / 230VAC Converter Uh... I think I just bought a massive AC/DC power supply . Only prob is that it's 230V. And no, I'm not unplugging the washing machine to power it. So I was looking for some AC/AC converters to get 230V from a regular 115V power outlet. I found this: http://www.grandview.com.hk/product/e/ac_ac.htm . That looks perfect... but it's made in Hong Kong. After an hour of google-ing, my search for a reseller was fruitless. So I either need to find a similar converter or figure out who sells these things in the US. Or... would it be possible just to run the power supply straight from 115V? I only need 1/3 or so of the max output, so if the output amperage is compromised, I can deal with it. If any EE's or other electrically savvy people could help me with this, I would be very grateful. Thanks. PS: If you are wondering why the hell this is in the pelt forum, just guess what I want to power with that monster.

11-30-2002, 06:31 AM	#4
punish3r Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 34	koslov, if you're even mildly proficient with a pair of needle nose and are somewhat confident in your ability to handle copper wire, just build what you need. The majority of the GOOD high-power (20A+) 115V/230V converters are just beefy ass transformers. Basically, two coils of wire. Yes, there's more to it than that, but with a bit of research (less than a day's worth) you could prolly find yourself a decent size ferrite core, some heavy gauge enameled solid copper wire, and the instructions on what to do with them to render yourself a good step-up transformer. Now, the big question is, would you have done all this for naught if the wiring in your house can't handle it? Standard wallplug = 115v @ 15A (Breaker current) = 1725W Your PS (assuming submodel 24) 24v @ 41.6A = 998.4W out of a 1000W rated unit. So if the output is 998.4W @ 87% efficiency, your total (approx) power drain on the input circuit would be right under 1150W (1147 and change, but who's counting) Assuming standard insulation thickness on your wires, etc, etc Yeah, it would work. Just don't go plugging anything else into that other plug on the faceplate (unless it's individually circuited too) also remember that your unit it fused at 10A on the incoming line, so if you're stepping up to 230v your total available power sink before fuse destruction is 2300W. There's also the 8ms, 230v @ 40A inrush at power-on. But hey, unless you're running some ultra specialty shit in your breaker box, it shouldn't trip (regularly). Or you could install a special high amp run with a 30A breaker, or feed it off two seperate breakers, or, or, or... __________________ Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. -Thomas Jefferson Last edited by punish3r; 11-30-2002 at 07:12 PM.

12-06-2002, 12:29 PM	#8
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	Here here. I can't believe I missed this one. If you want to step down 220, you must use a comercially available solution. It'll all be tested (UL, etc...) so you know it won't fail or cause a fire. I spent 1 year in college, in electronics, so I wouldn't hesitate to build my own PSU, but even I've zapped myself numerous times. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

11-15-2002, 07:22 AM	#2
mo Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada, Montreal Posts: 136	Items like that are usually readily available in electronics stores... also electronic repair shops will often carry them. Many people who move to the states from the east for example will bring their electronics with them which are all 230V...

11-15-2002, 12:00 PM	#3
koslov Cooling Savant Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Posts: 264	Damn, lost the auction. Thanks for the info anyway, maybe I'll buy the next one that comes up. I thought I would have the high bid, but alas, someone wanted it more.

12-05-2002, 01:38 AM	#5
nOv1c3 Crazy Stupid Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas texas Posts: 149	Gives these guys a look http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...480&type=store

12-06-2002, 11:35 AM	#6
Alchemy Cooling Savant Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 238	While we're at it, why don't we just perform heart surgery on ourselves. Jesus Christ, don't tell people to build these sorts of things without making it abundantly clear how dangerous this is. Yeah, inductors are pretty simple, but when you're working with house current, it doesn't take much to start a fire, completely destroy an appendage, or kill yourself. Odds aren't particularly great that the house breakers will trip before any of these things happen. Maybe you're experienced enough to do this sort of work, and maybe koslov is too, but plenty of people reading this are not, and may be led to believe this is less dangerous than it really is. Alchemy

12-06-2002, 11:54 AM	#7
Since87 Pro/Guru - Uber Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 834	Gotta agree with Alchemy. You might convince yourself that you know what you're doing with a day of googling. You'd most likely be wrong, and being wrong could be very dangerous. Ferrite cores are not used in transformers for 60 Hz power. There's no way you're going to design an effective step up transformer with ferrite cores. There is a fair likelihood you'd start a fire though.

12-07-2002, 09:11 PM	#9
iroc409 Cooling Savant Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: midwest side, yo Posts: 596	dontcha hate it when you're reparing a laptop power converter and you turn it on to test the thing with the case off, decide you need to pick it up, and accidently grab on one of the coil-looking thingies? (not the transformer). it feels funny i guess i never got far enough in EE to know before hand that those things can shock you ;P

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