voltage usa to uk

[spaceboy]

hi i have been looking on ebay usa ebay germany to find some boomboxes

and was wondering would a 220V 50hz work in the uk without frying the boxes components & circuits

am i correct in thinking that its 240v from the wall socket here in the uk

has anyone encountered this and what have they done to rectify

i know i could always play with batteries but would be costly as some of the big boxes take x10

any help would be great thanks

sb

 

[wowminister]

My Lasonic is 110v, and I plug it into a step-up converter from Amazon for £4.99.... Works well.

 

[tshorba]

The UK is 230V/50Hz from the wall +/-10%.

The US is 12V/60Hz.

A stepdown transformer will drop the voltage but matain the local frequency (HZ). If you buy a stepdown transformer get something with plenty of watts.

Also you can run 220/240V on the 230V supply, gear in AU is sold as 240V our supply sits around 233V local to me. Most devices allow +/- 10%
so 220v + 10% = 242V.
you will be ok.

 

[spaceboy]

wowminister & tshorba

thankyou for your speedy replies

Superb info guys



sb

 

[ClaretBadger]

erm - USA is 110-120 volts

NOT 12V



Some boxes NOT ALL - have a voltage selector on the back

You can either plug in and the box self detects - or you have to PHYSICALLY turn a "pot" to switch from FULL FAT UK voltage to the weedy US juice

Ensure if you use a US flex in the UK you do use a step down transformer - cos the bell wire they supply with US boxes will heat up like a filiment

 

[thebeardedlady]

My JVC RC-X510 has a voltage selector on the back. Never tried it though.

 

[tshorba]

erm - USA is 110-120 volts

NOT 12V



Some boxes NOT ALL - have a voltage selector on the back

You can either plug in and the box self detects - or you have to PHYSICALLY turn a "pot" to switch from FULL FAT UK voltage to the weedy US juice

Ensure if you use a US flex in the UK you do use a step down transformer - cos the bell wire they supply with US boxes will heat up like a filiment

Rleax I missed typed and forgot the zero, and the US is 120V STANDARD, this might not be what you get at the wall but the STANDARD.

and I would not take a punt that a box has a auto voltage matching transformer. If the voltage is selectable and there is no adjustment on the external case then it will be inside.A kaboom might have auto matching.