Voltage Converters

[alfie]

I was wondering if it would be acceptable to plug more than one device into a voltage converter via a multi plug adaptor without the risk of harming any radios?
Obviously the combined wattage of the radios shouldnt exceed the maximum capacity of the converter but is that the only requirement?
This might seem like a stupid question to some of our technically gifted members but I want to make sure its ok before plugging in any grails and potentially causing them harm.
Thanks in advance................

 

[Alberto]

Yes your right. The total wattage is the concern and should not be exceeded. Voltage in parallel does not change.

 

[alfie]

Thanks for the confirmation Alberto, didnt want to blow up a Victor M90!!!!

 

[oldskool69]

Thanks for the confirmation Alberto, didnt want to blow up a Victor M90!!!!

Amperage draw is a concern as well. Simply because a converter may be rated for 300w does not mean the amp load should be ignored. Granted, there aren't to many boomers out there that have a high current draw for what they are (such as the Hi-Fi Studio 1) you always want to leave that headroom. Generally, if you have a 20a circuit (which most homes in the US should have, 15a are obsolete) your transformer should be able to handle the same current. I don't know the rules in AU but I wouldn't imagine they are far off.

(I have a 250w/20a step up transformer for my Euro boomers...)

 

[Alberto]

Without getting to technical, in parallel voltage stays the same, the resistance decreases and amperage increases. It is the decrease in resistance combined with the increase of amperage that will give you the wattage output and power consumption.
Example : If you connect 2 12volt dc 10amp car batteries in parallel the voltage is still 12volts but the amperage is now 20amps. I would be more concerned that the voltage converter is of good quality and puts out a good clean voltage.

I'm a licensed Electrician and we could get into "Ohms Law". But for what you need to do I don't think we have to go there.

 

[oldskool69]

Without getting to technical, in parallel voltage stays the same, the resistance decreases and amperage increases. It is the decrease in resistance combined with the increase of amperage that will give you the wattage output and power consumption.
Example : If you connect 2 12volt dc 10amp car batteries in parallel the voltage is still 12volts but the amperage is now 20amps. I would be more concerned that the voltage converter is of good quality and puts out a good clean voltage.

I'm a licensed Electrician and we could get into "Ohms Law". But for what you need to do I don't think we have to go there.

Alberto is correct... (I'm a PM for a major electrical contractor and my dad built our step downs when we were stationed in Germany and built his step ups in the 'States. As you know, with electricity, there's lot's of ways to skin, and complicate the cat to get to your final destination. )

Watch out for the cheap ones. There a lot of them for sale online. If I were you I'd try and find a supplier local to you. China spits these things out like tobacco and you can never be sure what you're gonna get. Not saying there aren't good ones, but is the risk worth it. If you have a local supplier then he can't hide behind his keyboard if it's screwed up.

 

[alfie]

Alberto is correct... (I'm a PM for a major electrical contractor and my dad built our step downs when we were stationed in Germany and built his step ups in the 'States. As you know, with electricity, there's lot's of ways to skin, and complicate the cat to get to your final destination. )

Watch out for the cheap ones. There a lot of them for sale online. If I were you I'd try and find a supplier local to you. China spits these things out like tobacco and you can never be sure what you're gonna get. Not saying there aren't good ones, but is the risk worth it. If you have a local supplier then he can't hide behind his keyboard if it's screwed up.

Ha ha!! I do have a good one at home (not one of those add on to a plug things from china). Its pretty powerful.
I just wanted to make sure Im running any risk of damage by having 3 or 4 radios plugged in at once.

Thanks guys........

 

[Alberto]

Your welcome bro!!

 

[Superduper]

Freddie, not sure why we are talking home circuits & amps but a 300 watt converter would only consume (without factoring in efficiency) about 2.5 amps from the mains so you could plug 8 x 300 watt converters at close to max consumption and still not trip a 20 amp breaker. In any event, I think the OP was speaking of plugging multiple devices into the same converter. With an M90 (USA version) rated at 61 watts consumption and presuming the multi radio array is not all blasting at max, I'd stick my neck out and say it's probably OK. Regardless if something were to blow, it most likely would be the converter and not the radios. So I say go for it.

 

[oldskool69]

Freddie, not sure why we are talking home circuits & amps but a 300 watt converter would only consume (without factoring in efficiency) about 2.5 amps from the mains so you could plug 8 x 300 watt converters at close to max consumption and still not trip a 20 amp breaker. In any event, I think the OP was speaking of plugging multiple devices into the same converter. With an M90 (USA version) rated at 61 watts consumption and presuming the multi radio array is not all blasting at max, I'd stick my neck out and say it's probably OK. Regardless if something were to blow, it most likely would be the converter and not the radios. So I say go for it.

You (and Alberto) are absolutely correct. And I incorrectly typed 250 instead of 2500. Having spent a chunk of my life in Europe, I tend to think from the stand point of an appliance (and receivers and amplifiers) which draw far more current. Probably going insane with the sub freezing temperatures here in the South.

 

[AE_Stereo]

I was wondering if it would be acceptable to plug more than one device into a voltage converter via a multi plug adaptor without the risk of harming any radios?
Obviously the combined wattage of the radios shouldnt exceed the maximum capacity of the converter but is that the only requirement?
This might seem like a stupid question to some of our technically gifted members but I want to make sure its ok before plugging in any grails and potentially causing them harm.
Thanks in advance................

I have been doing that for long.
5 boxes are supplied from one 300W, 220 to 110 V converter.

The ampere calculations matters if all 5 boxes are played at full volume simultaneously. I never exceed half the volume on any one.

 

[Alberto]

At 120 voltage and 61 Watts you draw ( the little transformer inside your boomer ) around 0.5 amps.

You can do this and enjoy.