Converting: 220 - 117V

[cowboy]

Hi! I live in europe and I've recently bought a Silvertone 1484 from the US. So now i need to convert the voltage from 220 to 117V. I've decided to do it with a Step down converter, but I'm kinda confused about the backside of the 1484, on one side(under the convenience outlet) it says 117 V.A.C 500W maximum.
On the other side(under the model number)it says 117V 60C 100W.

So my question is; should I use a 50W or 100W step down converter?
Thanks!

[fyl]

You've got a 6L6 PP and an amp typically drawing 100 watts when idele and maybe around 200 watts when maxed, get at least a 250VA step-down transformer - the bigger the better here, shoot for 500VA if possible.

The convenience outlet rating is max power out.

As the amp is a budget US model, I'm pretty sure that the PT uses a small core with el cheapo lams barely adequate for 60 Hz and won't like European 50 Hz. You can expect some vibrations, noise and heat, so you could consider changing the PT instead of adding an external stepdown.

Oh, and don't forget to remove the death cap and the ground switch in the primary.

[cowboy]

You've got a 6L6 PP and an amp typically drawing 100 watts when idele and maybe around 200 watts when maxed, get at least a 250VA step-down transformer - the bigger the better here, shoot for 500VA if possible.

The convenience outlet rating is max power out.

As the amp is a budget US model, I'm pretty sure that the PT uses a small core with el cheapo lams barely adequate for 60 Hz and won't like European 50 Hz. You can expect some vibrations, noise and heat, so you could consider changing the PT instead of adding an external stepdown.

Oh, and don't forget to remove the death cap and the ground switch in the primary.

Thanks for the info, it was much needed! Do you think that I could change the PT for a Mercury Magnetics reissue? Mercury Magnetics
Or do I need a PT for europe? If i remove the death cap, wouldn't something like this kinda replace a new PT? http://cgi.ebay.com/500w-Watt-Step-U...ht_1479wt_1167

[fyl]

Do you think that I could change the PT for a Mercury Magnetics reissue?
Or do I need a PT for europe?

MercMag iron is usually excellent but vastly overpriced if you pay list. You may ask them for a 240V version, usually available for a 15 to 20% upcharge.

If i remove the death cap, wouldn't something like this kinda replace a new PT?

You'll still have the 50 Hz core-related problems. And big shipping charges if you buy in the US and have 10 or 15 pounds of iron shipped across the pond.

[cowboy]

I don't really care 'bout the prices cause everything from the U.S is really cheap if you compare it tho what it would cost in europe(especially sweden). But let me get this sorted out, if I buy a MercMag 240V PT and a 500W stepdown tranny, would that get me safe? Or will I have to change the OT too?

[J M Fahey]

Hi cowboy.
If you buy a new power transformer with 220 or 240V primary, you do not need any extra stepdown transformer.
Of course all secondaries must match the original ones.
If well made, it may be slightly larger, or perhaps it would be better through use of better iron, ask the manufacturer.

[cowboy]

Hi cowboy.
If you buy a new power transformer with 220 or 240V primary, you do not need any extra stepdown transformer.
Of course all secondaries must match the original ones.
If well made, it may be slightly larger, or perhaps it would be better through use of better iron, ask the manufacturer.

Do you think that I need to change the OT too?

[fyl]

Do you think that I need to change the OT too?

The crappy-looking OT is an integral part of the 1484 sound. Change it for a better tranny and the amp will loose it's magic tone...

Weber and MercMag offer supposedly as good (or bad) sounding replacements, but I haven't tried them.

[cowboy]

The crappy-looking OT is an integral part of the 1484 sound. Change it for a better tranny and the amp will loose it's magic tone...

Weber and MercMag offer supposedly as good (or bad) sounding replacements, but I haven't tried them.

Of course I'm not gonna change the original OT for a better one, that would be like taking the soul out of the amp. But I'm thinking about changing it for a MercMag or a Weber, they're really close to the original sound - from what I've heard at least.

[Tom Phillips]

IMHO:

Consider just procuring a step down transformer. (Your original idea) Get a good sized one and you can use it with the 1484 AND it will also be useful in the future with other amps that you may acquire.

Leave the original OT in the 1484 if it is working OK. I see no good reason to change it.

[cowboy]

IMHO:

Consider just procuring a step down transformer. (Your original idea) Get a good sized one and you can use it with the 1484 AND it will also be useful in the future with other amps that you may acquire.

Leave the original OT in the 1484 if it is working OK. I see no good reason to change it.

Oh man, I'm getting really schizophrenic here, haha! Thanks for your post though, after all, just buying a SD tranny would be the easisest thing to do. Do you think I should change the PT, or leave that be as well?

[Tom Phillips]

Cowboy,

If you buy a SD transformer then you don't need to change the PT. The stock PT will see the correct voltage from the SD tranny.

If you buy a SD with sufficient capacity then you have what you need to run other 117V equipment that you may acquire in the future. (An added advantage)

Another thing to consider is that the 1484 could be more valuable to you (and for potential resale) with the stock transformers. Mercury Magnetics makes good transformers. However, the hype on their web site must be written by the marketeers not the engineers. Their prices are high too. I wouldn't change out the transformers in your amp unless they are defective. Your time & money will be best spent on restoring and maintaining the rest of the circuits in the amp.

Regards,
Tom

[cowboy]

Cowboy,

If you buy a SD transformer then you don't need to change the PT. The stock PT will see the correct voltage from the SD tranny.

If you buy a SD with sufficient capacity then you have what you need to run other 117V equipment that you may acquire in the future. (An added advantage)

Another thing to consider is that the 1484 could be more valuable to you (and for potential resale) with the stock transformers. Mercury Magnetics makes good transformers. However, the hype on their web site must be written by the marketeers not the engineers. Their prices are high too. I wouldn't change out the transformers in your amp unless they are defective. Your time & money will be best spent on restoring and maintaining the rest of the circuits in the amp.

Regards,
Tom

Thanks, you're kinda making everything a little easier for me here. But what about the 50-60Hz problem? You think that a SD tranny would wolve that too, cause that's the main thing that's worrying me, and that's why I even started considering changin' both PT and OT.

[J M Fahey]

Hi cowboy,
We are all following your path, which changes slightly every day
I agree that you should move step by step.
Since money is not a problem here, start by buying a good stepdown transformer, rated 500W as was wisely suggested, so it will be able to power any future US product you buy.
Build a small power strip, with 4 or more outlets, fused and switched, it will be *almost* like being in the good old USA themselves.
That way your future EBay purchases will feel at home.
Just make certain that your amplifier's ground matches the transformer and house ground, easily tested with a neon screwdriver.
I guess a Swedish transformer must be *very* good, specially because they must follow those tough SEMKO and equivalent electrical codes.
*If* in the future you want to travel light, and plug your amp anywhere without carrying your 5Kg transformer, well, then you can consider replacing that PT.
Good luck .

[cowboy]

Hi cowboy,
We are all following your path, which changes slightly every day
I agree that you should move step by step.
Since money is not a problem here, start by buying a good stepdown transformer, rated 500W as was wisely suggested, so it will be able to power any future US product you buy.
Build a small power strip, with 4 or more outlets, fused and switched, it will be *almost* like being in the good old USA themselves.
That way your future EBay purchases will feel at home.
Just make certain that your amplifier's ground matches the transformer and house ground, easily tested with a neon screwdriver.
I guess a Swedish transformer must be *very* good, specially because they must follow those tough SEMKO and equivalent electrical codes.
*If* in the future you want to travel light, and plug your amp anywhere without carrying your 5Kg transformer, well, then you can consider replacing that PT.
Good luck .

Thanks. But I still got a few questions left The 1484 has a ground switch on it, and I've been told to remove that switch and the death cap connected to it, in other words - the amp doesn't have a grounded powercable, so should I leave the ground switch be and use that as ground when connecting to the SD? Can I even connect to a SD like this ( 750w 750 watt 110/220 Step Up Step Down Transformer new - eBay (item 270511943921 end time Feb-06-10 11:25:37 PST) )with an cable that isn't grounded?