8mm Forum: 230 or 110 volt

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Posted by David Park (Member # 123) on January 21, 2004, 01:26 AM:

I'm in UK, and usual voltage here and Europe is 230v.
I do believe that you in USA/Canada can have 110/115 volts.
If I buy a Elmo ST1200 for an example from USA/Canada do I run the risk of it being unsuitable for 230 volt?
If anyone in Uk got a 110v machine did you buy a convertor for 230v, at what cost if so.
Thanks,David

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on January 21, 2004, 04:36 AM:

You set the voltage on the projector.Trev

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on January 21, 2004, 08:08 AM:

I checked with a chap in the US and he said that it was a 110v model only- i.e. had no voltage upgrade to 220/240v. I am not sure if this is right but if it was then yes you would need a step down transformer. In the UK these start at around £40 but the key thing is getting one that can supply the right current I think. At 240V a 24v 200W lamp pulls just short of10amps of current I believe (formula Amps x Volts = Watts)so your transformer needs to be able to handle the pull on it.

The more electrically minded will be able to confirm if I am right or not.

Unless you have access to a good stepdown 110 v transformer you are best to stick with a multi voltage model./

Tony

Posted by David Park (Member # 123) on January 21, 2004, 09:14 AM:

Trevor, yes but do ALL Elmo St1200 that have 110 selection also have 230v selection?
Thanks
David

Posted by Mikael Sundstrom (Member # 150) on January 21, 2004, 02:48 PM:

My elmo is only 220 volts. I think there are both single and multivoltage versions. Best thing is to ask the seller what his projector is. The wattage on the 220 version anyway is 450W. So you'd have to get a converter capable of outputting that. At least.
I´m no expert, don´t pound me if I´m wrong.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on January 21, 2004, 03:16 PM:

Mikael,

I have elmo's that either have adjustment via a small "plug" that you can lift up and select from a series of voltages and I also have them without this. However, on the ones without the easily adjustable voltage plug, the transformer does have soldered connections (three of them) which can be used for 220V, 230V and 240V respectively. You obviously solder the connecting wire to the correct terminal to suit your voltage.

The terminals I think are labelled P1, P2 and P3 respectively.

Does your projector have this facility or are you saying that it is only a 220v model and can't be changed?

Tony

Posted by Chris Quinn (Member # 129) on January 21, 2004, 03:25 PM:

Hi David,
First there are multi voltage and set ones being either 230volts or the 110/115volt. i have two ST1200s and both are multi. This is easy to tell, at the back of the machine is a viewing glass to tell which voltage it is set on, you can take the back of the projector to turn it to the voltage you require.in my opinion it is not worth buying a machine from abroad that does not have this option to change, you should be able to fine one this side of the pond easily enough. Hope this helps. Chris.

Posted by David Park (Member # 123) on January 22, 2004, 05:12 AM:

Thanks for your replies.
Well I let it go, did not think it was worth risking getting a 110v only.
Also I asked the Ebay seller the carriage to Uk, he gave me weight, 17kg, and a link to Canada PO to get a quote. The PO were unable to give me a quote due to unknown size of parcel.
Interestingly the final bid was very low compared with other auctions, US dollar 103.5 / Uk £56.50. So maybe others were put off by this voltage.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on January 22, 2004, 06:40 AM:

My goodness Tony you have been taking this all in.

To clarify:
There a 4 versions of each machine normally.

1, Multi voltage version 110 - 240V
2, Multi voltage version which includes 250V for some countries
3, Fixed 220V version which can be changed inside on the tranformer solder tag, P1 = 220, P2 = 230 & P3 = 240V
4, Fixed 120V version which can be changed inside on the tranformer solder tag, P1 = 110, P2 = 115 & P3 = 120V

There are probably some other version lurking about too but these are the ones I have come accross.

Kev

Posted by Tim Christian (Member # 48) on January 22, 2004, 11:41 AM:

It is also worth finding out that it is suitable for 50 Hz as well as 60 Hz. Some projectors have dual drive pulleys to allow for the frequency change. Some transformers may not like 50 Hz if they were spec'd for 60 Hz.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on January 22, 2004, 12:22 PM:

Tim,

Is Europe on the same Hz as the UK?

David, apart from the electrical issues there are two other reasons for buying from Europe:-

1. No risk of Customs striking you for a shed load of cash
2. Carriage is much cheaper

Tony

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on January 22, 2004, 06:52 PM:

Yes Tony, Europe uses 50Hz as does the UK and of course the US has 60HZ.
Most projectors which use electronic speed control will happily run on either 50 or 60 without any need for change. The GS comes into this category. Machines which run with synchronous motors such as the ST1200 series will have to have the pulleys changed over as they run on ac locked to the mains frequency.

Kev.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on January 23, 2004, 12:04 AM:

I once had the displeasure to purchase a Bauer T600 from a gentlemen in Germany. Partly my fault that I didn't ask if it was suitable for use in the US. I could switch the machine for the proper voltage but everyone sounded like a chipmunk. The gentlemen would not refund the monies saying it had been spent so I was forced to sell on Ebay. Not a bad story though.. I got my money back. But alas there was no cure for the chipmunk voices. I remember Derek from Derann posted on the website that I was looking for a US motor for the Bauer.
Great guy. Never did find the motor though.

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