using 110 power supply in Europe

[75RR]

How complicated/inconvenient is it to use 110v power supplies in 220v Europe?

[apochronaut]

The complicated thing( expensive, actually), is getting power supplies there but why would one do that? Wouldn't it make sense to just buy one in Europe? It doesn't need to be a microscope power supply , just a variable power supply of the correct input v., output v.and sufficient amperage. It might entail a plug change at the D.C. end but most plugs are fairly easy to source. There are a few odd ones, so a worst case scenario would be both a plug change on the cord and a socket change on the power supply. A lot of power supplies have banana plugs, so if you can live with that, then , that's a 1 Euro modification.

If needed though, 220 to 110 converter transformers are very cheap.

[75RR]

Was wondering if anyone had done it and if they thought it was worth it.

[apochronaut]

have done it the other way.; 220 to 110. The only snag was that on some transformers, the pilot light receives it's power from the mains, and if the transformer is one of the types that is convertable, the pilot light has to be changed to one of correct voltage.

[75RR]

Already own these, was wondering if I should take them with me or not.

[Charles]

Most, especially older power transformers, have a dial or switch in the back to go from 110-220, or you can buy inexpensive power converters which switch the power from 110 to 220.

[75RR]

Unfortunately these have no switches. :(

[Charles]

You can buy converters for about $20-25, Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Converte ... B001ES8YY6

[75RR]

Hi Charles, the reviews on those type of converters are not very encouraging.

Was hoping a European member had actually imported a 110v power supply and could comment on the experience.

[RudiV]

Hi Charles, the reviews on those type of converters are not very encouraging.

Was hoping a European member had actually imported a 110v power supply and could comment on the experience.

Since I import a lot of equipment from the USA I am stuck often with the 110V to 220V conversion (we have 220-240V here in South Africa)

I just use simple step down 220 to 110V transformers. You can also use a variac (adjustable transformer) but they are more expensive. These transformers are "fit and forget" and quite compact, no need to ever touch them so I usually put them behind the workbench.

Rudi

[RudiV]

You can buy converters for about $20-25, Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Converte ... B001ES8YY6

Yes, this would work, just make sure you get one with a high enough rating, the 100W unit in the link won't work to run a 100W or higher input light, it is best to get one that will run at no higher than 50-75% of it's full rating else you will run into heat issues.

For a scope with a 20-50W lamp the unit in the link will be fine.

Rudi

[RudiV]

On second thoughts, since you only need 12V DC I won't bother with a step-down transformer, it would be more efficient, and not much more expensive, to simply get a 220V AC to 12V DC power supply of at least 5A.

Many supplies like that can be found on the web. A switch-mode power supply will be small and light but an older style linear (transformer) power supply will work just as well.

I have a nice 60A unit that I use in a similar situations, scavenged from my amateur radio station.

Rudi

[75RR]

Thanks RudiV,
prefer the thought of a transformer (linear) - still, I suppose with a bit of patience I could find some thing that would suit in Europe.
Main problem is that I will not get much for the power supplies if I sell them locally, that and the fact that I have grown fond of them!

[RudiV]

Thanks RudiV,
prefer the thought of a transformer (linear) - still, I suppose with a bit of patience I could find some thing that would suit in Europe.
Main problem is that I will not get much for the power supplies if I sell them locally, that and the fact that I have grown fond of them!

If you have a few 110V supplies it mighty be best to get one decent 220V to 110V transformer with a high enough rating and then simply run a power strip from it to plug the rest into. Get one with a high enough rating to cater for any combination of supplies you might want to run at the same time.

Rudi

[75RR]

That would be useful if I could find one. Still, bet if I sell them someone will then offer me a variac nice and cheap ;)
Sounds like six of one and half a dozen of the other.
I suppose a practical person would sell them.

Will ponder on this.
Thanks all.

[75RR]

Can someone please confirm that this would work. Overkill? $100 delivered Suggestions ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farnell-L30-5 ... 2162381917?

+ instruction manual in pdf: https://ia902608.us.archive.org/0/items ... t30Psu.pdf

[RudiV]

Can someone please confirm that this would work. Overkill? $100 delivered Suggestions ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farnell-L30-5 ... 2162381917?

+ instruction manual in pdf: https://ia902608.us.archive.org/0/items ... t30Psu.pdf

Yes, it will work! Maybe the variable output and current limiting is an overkill but it will be a useful power supply in general. You could well use it direct to supply the lamp as it will also act as a dimmer.

Rudi

[75RR]

Thanks RudiV,
Good to know. I was thinking of using it as a substitute for both my 12v 100w Wetzlar power supply and the Cornelsen.
Save on weight and the number of power supplies. From what I have read it is old school quality. Thanks again!

[RudiV]

Thanks RudiV,
Good to know. I was thinking of using it as a substitute for both my 12v 100w Wetzlar power supply and the Cornelsen.
Save on weight and the number of power supplies. From what I have read it is old school quality. Thanks again!

Pleasure!

But I don't think it will work for the 12V 100W Wetzlar, at 12V it will only supply 60W total, you would need a supply that can provide at least 8.3A, preferably 10A I would say, to give you a safe 100W with reserve (less heat)

The quality looks great!
Rudi

[75RR]

Was just about to buy it :(
Thanks for the heads up.

P.S.How did you calculate that?

[RudiV]

Was just about to buy it
Thanks for the heads up.

It would drive the 100W light but only to 60W, not ideal....

[75RR]

Ok, I need at least 5A at 12v rather than at 30v, right?

[RudiV]

Ok, I need at least 5A at 12v rather than at 30v, right?

10A (minimum would be 8.3A) and 12V, anything over 12V would be wasted.

[RudiV]

W = V * A

A = W/V

[75RR]

W = V * A

A = W/V

:)

[billbillt]

Just a thought: This combo works for me...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPAQ-HP-Q250G ... Sw2xRYdTAo

Plus this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262898897650?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

These units are switchable from 110/220 input..

BillT

[75RR]

Interesting concept. Quite a useful breakdown of the supplied voltages.
Tis a little too modern for me however. ;)

[Crater Eddie]

I wouldn't expect it to be too difficult to find a step-down transformer to run your supplies from, though I suppose that will depend on exactly where you end up. As your supplies are heavy I suppose difficulty in shipping them is a concern. Best of luck.
CE

[75RR]

As long as I can get it there (amazing how quickly a pound here and a couple there add up), I imagine a solid step down transformer should be ok.
I am curious however as to what power supply Zeiss has in Europe for the 60w and the 100w illuminators - can't find any sign of one, not even in the sold item section. Anyone know what they look like? I have found 30w ones but nothing higher.

Note: Will be selling off the Cornelsen and just taking the LEP 100w Wetzlar.

[apochronaut]

Searching words such as trafo, transformator,transformer, power supply, stromversorgung qualified by zeiss, leitz any other maker or the voltage or amperage will bring up diverse entries.
There are other makers of electric devices in Europe unfamiliar in the Americas. I know Philips makes them for other applications and some of those for other applications can be much cheaper because of their more general usage. Genuine Zeiss stuff, tends to sit, highly priced.