Author Topic: make a US 300T operable in Europe?  (Read 11091 times)

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Offline zozzal

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make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« on: January 04, 2009, 05:59:54 am »
Hi, I'm considering buying a 300T in the US and have it shipped to France as they are so expensive and hard to find here in Europe... Do you have an idea if there's a simple way to make it operable under 240V/50hz ?

Offline mckinnon audio

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2009, 07:06:45 am »
  Hi there,you'll have to get an A.C. matching transformer,one with a 125 Volt secondary and a 240 Volt primary.Sometimes you can get them with a tapped primary,meaning there would be a wire for 200v,210v,220v,230v,etc. You don't have to worry about the Hz,that would only effect motors.Good luck,Mel.

Offline zozzal

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2009, 07:12:07 am »
ok... I was thinking there may be a simple mod inside the head. I've heard it is possible for example in the Ampeg SVT CL to switch it from 110V to 240V by simply rewiring a few cables...

Offline mckinnon audio

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2009, 08:00:34 am »
  Hi there,in a lot of new amps the power trans. comes with taps already,usually it's only 120v and 220v,sometimes 240v.The power trans. would have 2 windings in the primary,you would hook them up in parallel for 120v and series them for 240v.Check and see if your amp has this type of power trans.,I'm not sure if it does or not.If it does,you'll still need the proper Euro A.C. plug to connect it to the line.Good luck,Mel.

Offline zozzal

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2009, 09:52:30 am »
I do'nt have the amp yet... I've found a schematics though, i'm not very used to all that but maybe that can help somebody out in answering my question.
http://schematic.narod.ru/Audio/tube/Amp/s_300t-a.gif


Anyway it seems to quite expensive to send such an amp (it is about 80 lbs)  via UPS to Europe...

Offline loudthud

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2009, 10:27:59 am »
It looks like there is a separate "Export" transformer that can be wired to 240V 50/60Hz. We don't know if your amp has the Export transformer or the domestic 120V only transformer. Export models also have a different thermistor (inrush limiter) and a 20 Amp fuse in the heater supply and it takes a different line fuse. (I have a different schematic than the one in your link)

Offline mckinnon audio

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2009, 10:56:12 am »
  Hi there,the export trans. only has taps for 100v,230v,240,so if it's working ok now I'd say you have the domestic trans.,otherwise things would be smoking from the 20% over volts on the A.C.,Mel.

Offline Oli

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Re: make a US 300T operable in Europe?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2009, 09:08:23 am »
Hi,

I did use the 1200S Fender Model (came out with the 300T). There was a big mark on the schematics that there were different versions on the market. Anyway, U can use a power converter, they are about 45,00€, so there is no need to worry about the 110V/230V in case the transformer has no possbility on the primary side.

U can also ask TAD: http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/ , they have everything in stock. The external Power converter is f.e. here:
 http://www2.westfalia.de/shops/akkus_batterien/netzgeraete/spannungswandler/vorschalttrafo_230v__auf_115v___usa_/72798-vorschalttrafo_eingang_220_240vac50hz_ausgang_110_120vac_60hz_500w.htm

As mckinnon audio mentioned before, there is an "Iron loss" (I don't know the correct english expression), the transformator will get a bit hotter than in the USA because of the 50Hz. I got a few old Sunns and they can handle this ... no problem.

 I it is too heavy for DHL or UBS U can check out FED EX.

I heard the 300T once, great amp. Go and get it! :wink:

Hope his helps...


Greetings

Oliver
SUNN Sorado - 1969 / SUNN 2000S - 1970 / SUNN Sorado  - 1971 / SUNN 350B - 1973 / SUNN Coliseum 880 - 1973 / SUNN Concert Bass - 1972 / SUNN Concert Bass - 1979 / 2x SUNN 215B - 1970/75 / SUNN/SAD 2000S cab