US PC voltage...

Vaultman

Hi folks,
I've just moved back from the US and have a question regarding getting my US PC up and running over here. The mains power connection is just a standard PC cable which plugs straight in to the back of the PC.

What I need to know is how can I find out if the on-board power transformer can handle 230v as well as the 110v for the US?

Thanks in advance,
V

TheHairyFairy

Wouldnt it be handier to just replace the PSU in the PC?

irlrobins

They normally have a switch that u flick to go from 110 to 240.

majiktripp

Have a look at the back of the computers power supply,there should be a little red switch on it probably set to 110v currently,but you can move the switch over and set it to 230v as nealy all power supplies shipped in PC's are dual volatge for use in both USA and Europe.

Stephen

Some aren't though, such as my hiper 580W wich is 220-240 only, so do check.

Vaultman

Excellent - I'll have a look for that switch when i get home!

Thanks for the replies folks!

Vaultman

On a similar note...

Is there any problems with using a step-down transformer to do the US-Ireland (110v-230v) conversion.
e.g. http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/shop/db.cgi?view=1&id=4724&type=6&path=16x168x313

Is there any long term difficulties with them, apart from a clock losing some time etc? Would it screw up a PC/Monitor/Printer if I was using them with one?

Cheers,
V

zilog_jones

The clock in a PC doesn't run off an AC current, so the 50/60Hz thing won't be a problem - everything coming out of the power supply in a PC is DC. I used a stepdown transformer in the UK (after moving back from Saudi) on my olde 386 until I found out it had a switch, and I had a friend using one on his Japanese Sony Vaio (one of the crazy folding desktop yokes) with no problems.

Also, stepdown transformers nearly always just halve the voltage - so with a 230V input from the mains here it'll output 115V - but that's well within limits of any typical AC-DC power supply (they're often designed to work in Japan too which is only 100V) so also won't be a problem with a PC and/or monitor.

Just make sure it can take the right amount of power - a modern PC could take up to 500W+ on full load.

Also check the label on the inside of the power supply (probably will have to open the PC) - that will have to state what input voltages it can take. Some might have auto-detection of the input voltage so won't have any switch.

Sam Vimes

TheHairyFairy wrote:

Wouldnt it be handier to just replace the PSU in the PC?

handier than plugging into the wall as is? probably not

SeanW

Vaultman wrote:

On a similar note...

Is there any problems with using a step-down transformer to do the US-Ireland (110v-230v) conversion.
e.g. http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/shop/db.cgi?view=1&id=4724&type=6&path=16x168x313

Is there any long term difficulties with them, apart from a clock losing some time etc? Would it screw up a PC/Monitor/Printer if I was using them with one?

Cheers,
V

Avoid using those, while OK for some things, using a step down transformer causes a couple of problems.

1: Most warn that they're not designed for continuous use.
2: You have the 60 hz to 50 hz AC current problem - use 50hzAC power on ANY 60hz device emitting or displaying video of any kind, and the picture gets messed up. I have first hand experience there.
3: Wattage. All step downs are rated to a certain wattage that they can work with. RadioShack's main model for example does 50W, the lowest one in peats does 60W. A PC requires higher wattage, but the last time I tried to use a high wattage transformer it blew up a (US) surge surpressor that I had been using. Thankfully I didn't have anything plugged into it :eek: So I don't trust them any more, and I wouldn't reccomend using one for a PC.

Is your computer a commercial brand-name model or a custom assembly?

jor el

Vaultman wrote:

Excellent - I'll have a look for that switch when i get home!

Thanks for the replies folks!

If there isn't a little red switch it may be auto-switched, check for a rated voltage sticker on either the back near the power plug, or on the supply itself somewhere. You may have to open the PC case to see the rating label on the inside. If it says 110-220V then it will work fine. If it's 110-120V, for example, then it won't work so just get a new power supply.

Commander Vimes wrote:

handier than plugging into the wall as is? probably not

Except if it's 110V only and it goes snap crackle bang when you plug it in. Not so handy.

Jimoslimos

Vaultman wrote:

On a similar note...

Is there any problems with using a step-down transformer to do the US-Ireland (110v-230v) conversion.

I use one for charging an electric toothbrush (US). Works fine, gets a bit warm but I suppose that's to be expected when stepping down the voltage. Not sure how well it would work against higher wattage appliances.