Moving to America 240-115

lsdd · Post by **lsdd** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:40 pm

Hello all...
I'm getting ready to move to the states from the UK and am wondering if there is a way to use power converters for the audio gear I have hear , or if its woth selling up here and buying new in the states.

Obviously things like microphones and guitars will travel,
but I'm more concerned with:
Hard drives
Smart media cards
mixing desks

Anybody have any thoughts?
much obliged!!
xd

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:58 am

I'd have the transformers replaced in the equipment that's important to me, and ditch the rest of my stuff.

My reasoning is that a bunch of heavy (they generally are) external transformers is unwieldy, ugly, heat-generating, interference-inducing in any nearby cables, and would most likely result in a rise in your studio's noise floor (the power will be that little bit dirtier in most cases).

Of course, you could lash out for a mega expensive external array of some sort that filters the current in fancy ways as well as transforms the voltage, but I've not seen such a unit, and you'd think it'd be prohibitively expensive.
A dedicated power conditioning unit would make more sense, IMHO, as well as the previously mentioned replacement of those transformers.

As a bonus, you might be able to have auto-switching units installed where previously fixed-voltage transformers were used.

WARNING: I know absolutely nothing about electricity, and should be barred from any future interaction involving the subject.

bongo_x · Post by **bongo_x** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:54 pm

It seems like it wouldn't be worth the cost of shipping some stuff since it's probably cheaper in the states. I'd look up specific replacement costs. And don't forget used, try craig's list and ebay.

I have no right to talk though, I've shipped utter crap back and forth across the country, only to throw it away later.

bb

billruys · Post by **billruys** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:06 pm

I'd bet that half your stuff is already dual-voltage. Check your manuals, or look on the back of your devices for specs.

As an example, my MOTU 2408 and 24I/O can be switched to 110 or 240. A lot of gear with switch-mode power supplies are universal, so you don't even need to flick a switch.

Some gear has a fuse in the IEC power receptical. The fuse holder is also the voltage selector. Look carefully for little arrows that point to a voltage marking. You flip the fuse holder 180 degrees to change the voltage.

So much gear is made for the international market now, the manufacturers put dual/universal power supplies in a lot of gear as standard.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:29 pm

billruys wrote:I'd bet that half your stuff is already dual-voltage. Check your manuals, or look on the back of your devices for specs.

As an example, my MOTU 2408 and 24I/O can be switched to 110 or 240. A lot of gear with switch-mode power supplies are universal, so you don't even need to flick a switch.

Some gear has a fuse in the IEC power receptical. The fuse holder is also the voltage selector. Look carefully for little arrows that point to a voltage marking. You flip the fuse holder 180 degrees to change the voltage.

So much gear is made for the international market now, the manufacturers put dual/universal power supplies in a lot of gear as standard.

This is what I was thinking too.