[Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC

[D C _Mac_ Macdonald]

I agree totally with Bry.  It's the ONLY way that is truly safe. 
 
The step-up transformer for a 150 Watt load should not be 
too terribly expensive. 
 
I think the best/safest way to do it is to mount that transformer 
on an enclosed chassis with the ~ 230 VAC connected to a European 
style household outlet to match the line plug.  
 
If that outlet is not available, you should hard wire the device 
to the output of the step-up transformer and there would be NO 
possibility of that 230 volts getting into something else! 
 
My experience was going the other way, using American devices 
on the 230 VAC German mains with step-DOWN transformers. 
 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 * 
* (Since 30 Nov 53) * 
* k2gkk at hotmail.com * 
* Oklahoma City, OK * 
* USAF & FAA (Ret.) * 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
 
 
 

 

> From: bcarling at cfl.rr.com
> To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:16:01 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC
> 
> Keith - using a step-up transformer will always be the safer way to arrange things. 
> 
> Read all the AC safety information in an ARRL Handbook or other reliable text and set things 
> up with proper grounding etc. and you should do fine. Just be careful any time you are 
> working with higher voltages like that. Don't smoke your fingers... or your heart, dear friend!
> 
> All the best with the project. My FIRST computer printer in 1982 was a Model 15 
> RTTY machine that looked like a green mailbox. It was connected to a Radio Shack Color 
> Computer - my dream machine that was the least expensive way onto RTTY, CW and other
> early digital modes. Someone gave the Model 15 to me at a hamfest to make some space in 
> their garage. 
> 
> It was possible back then to make a 170 volt DC loop supply and interrupt it with a homebrew
> solid-state adapter interfaced to / from RS-232 that was optically isolated between the 
> teleprinter and computer.
> 
> 73 Magazines, back in the early 1980s were full of great ideas and projects like that. It's a 
> great pity that there is nothing quite like that any more for guys who just enjoy 
> homebrewing and experimenting without having a BSc in Computer Science or BSEE.
> 
> Let us know how it goes!
> 
> Bry, AF4K
> 
> RYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRY
> 
> 
> On 19 Oct 2012 at 15:59, Keith Densmore wrote:
> 
> > Greetings,
> > I am not much experienced in running 220 volt lines so this leads to
> > a question.
> > I have aquired a German teleprinter which needs 220-240 VAC at 40 to
> > 70 Hz. 150 Watts.
> > 
> > The German plug is 3 prongs 230-- neutral --- ground.
> > As I understand it, the 240 over here is 120-neutral-120 ground.
> > Can I use the house current to power this machine or should I use a
> > 120 volt stepped up to 230 through a transformer? The cycles are not
> > a problems, the German unit will work on 60 HZ.
> > Thanks,
> > better to ask than blow up something, hi.
> > 
> > 73,
> > Keith