Running a 110v amp on 220v?

O

orpheo

Well-known member
Hi Guys,

I want to buy an amp in the USA, since its so much cheaper there, than here (in the Netherlands). I know what I want, I have the money, I found a way to buy it at a store which won't ship to the Netherlands, but to get it anyway....

the biggest obstacle is this: HOW can I run an amp, which was build for 110volts, on the 220/230 volts which is being used here, in Europe?

I now there are those holiday-adapter-boxes, which you Americans can use if you travel to Europe, so that you're still able to power up your phone, camera and laptop. But are those little thingies usefull for my purpose? Or will it wreck my amp in the long run?
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

hmm..I suppose you could just get a transformer, one large enough to handle the entire load of the amp and have it tapped at the 2:1 ratio point (or just have 1/2 the amount of secondary windings compared to primary. Though there may be some safety/equipment concerns..never have the transformer plugged in without the amp attached to the transformer...also when dealing with that kind of power make sure the connections are checked by someone experienced..this just thinking out loud..theres probably a convenient adapter made for this but if nothing else....DIY
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

@kane17: thanks for your input.

but it seems so... complicated.

example: when I go to the USA, with my laptop, and I want to work there with my laptop, I plug in an adapter-plug, and in that adapter, I plug the powerconnector of the computer. My computer runs on 220v, USA sockets give only 110, nevertheless, my pc works just fine.

can that be done, the other way around, for a 110v amp -> adapter -> 220v outlet socket?
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Same thing here is Australia - 240V.. My main gigging amp is an american amp.....just go to your local electronics store and buy a "step down transformer" for 100v to 220v. Easy. Just make sure you unplug from the wall when you are done otherwise the transformer will be running constantly - even when the amp is off. Works fine.
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Hey there Den Haag dwelling Orpheo.

A cell phone, digital point-and-shoot camera and a lap top work very diff. from a massive voltage hungry all valve amp.

I am in the US alot, and when i buy 110V items, like my Mac & HP lap tops, aswell as my iPod, lil Cacnon Digital Elph and various cell phones, i ALWAYS make sure that their own power adaptors are indeed 110/220V compatible . . . in fact, that is the very FIRST thing i look at before i look any further into said product.

Now, AMPS ARE TOTALLY DIFF BEASTS.

You WILL need a "Step-Down" transformer, to lover your Nederlandse wall-juice from 220V to an exceptable 110V, or you will blow that expensive Yank Amp faster than you can say, Blow Job !

Now, it gets a little complicated.
I once looked into these Heavy Duty amp transformers, and was told there is some ratio that you need to work with to calculate wich transformer is best for your amp.

I am pretty sure there are folk on this forum that will be able to tell you staright away which transformer to get and where.
I used to have a link from a very reputable store . . . i'll see if i can locate it for you.



WARNING : these transformers are fookin' heavy and will push you over your internationall allowed weight.


PS : what amp(s) is on your short list ? Marshall, Orange, Laney, Matamp and the like, will be cheaper from the UK - for you.




Hope this helps.
;)
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Here we go :

This site was given to me by various Americans that took their amps with them when they re-located to Europe.

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog1_0.html


Just make sure what the so-called golden ratio is.
Because your amp might be a 100W monster does NOT mean you will need the very top 100W Step Down unit.

A 100W amp saps alot more juice than that.
I think i was told to look into the 500W Step Down unit to allow the amp the "work" correctly.
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

^ What he said. A stepdown transformer is a heavy, expensive beast. An autotransformer is similar but would be less expensive, smaller, and acceptable for this application.

Keep in mind though that many (if not most) guitar amps now have IEC-style detachable power cords. What happens when some helpful person who is unaware of you amp's peculiar power requirement, plugs in a Euro-style 220V powe cable, and plugs your 120-volt amp into a 220-volt wall?

I would look seriously at amps that are similar to your "ultimate" choice, but have 220V-capable power transformers. Many guitar amps have a mains voltage adjustment on the back. Others are made with an "export transformer" that accepts 220V. Problem is, you're not going to walk into a Guitar Center in Anytown, USA and find an amp with an export transformer; those all get shipped overseas.

If this is a mass-produced amp, I highly recommend lloking only at models with adjustable mains voltage. If you're looking for a boutique amp, work with the store and/or builder ahead of time to order one with an adjustable (or simple 220V primary) power transformer. In the end, these options are going to be a lot less headache that an add-on stepdown transformer.
 
Last edited:
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Rich_S said:
If this is a mass-produced amp, I highly recommend lloking only at models with adjustable mains voltage. If you're looking for a boutique amp, work with the store and/or builder ahead of time to order one with an adjustable (or simple 220V primary) power transformer. In the end, these options are going to be a lot less headache that an add-on stepdown transformer.
Click to expand...

I second that...it's quite a pain having to drag around and setup a stepdown transformer in addition to your rig. Unless you absolutely MUST have a particular amp and there are no other options it just becomes an unnecessary burden.
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

There are quite a few European builders, but I guess that is not much different that buying one from the USA. I suppose, either way, you are going to be shipping an amp from a foreign country.
Are you buying a new amp or a used amp? You can have the seller install or at least buy a power transformer for you that will run on your domestic voltage, and ship it with your amp. Would it be difficult/expensive for for you to buy a new power transformer in your homeland? That is to say, go ahead and buy whatever amp you like, and then purchase the correct power transformer from a parts supplier in The Netherlands/Europe ?
Good Luck
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Stef said:
forget about it
Click to expand...
I'm bringing an old Brownface Deluxe to the UK and need to resolve the voltage conversion question. Wondering if anybody has used a converter from ACUPWR. I was told it's American made and the safest available. I'd be crushed if anything happened to that amp.
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

I've got two amps that run on 110V and got myself one of these...

Step_Down_Tranny.jpg

Works great, both amps sound great... mine's a 1000 Watter and that's what I'd advise you to get to allow for for ALL the headroom the amp has (it's about the same size as a tiny terror head..a bit smaller maybe).
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Both my Laney and my Carvin have switched power supplies
Either 120 or 240

I think my Cube does too but I'll have to dig it out to see
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Now that I think about it
I accidentally ran my Laney on 240 volt while set for 120
For several months

Miss wired house circuit
Kept wondering why the vacuum cleaner kept dieing
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

Gretsch64@icloud.com said:
I'm bringing an old Brownface Deluxe to the UK and need to resolve the voltage conversion question. Wondering if anybody has used a converter from ACUPWR. I was told it's American made and the safest available. I'd be crushed if anything happened to that amp.
Click to expand...
If you reside in the UK and this Amp is getting a permanent home there, I'd get the appropriate 240V power transformer for your amp and have a qualified amp tech install it.
 
Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

I know Mesa and Fender used to make export models. Call the dealer and see if they can ship you the European version.

Bill
 
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Re: Running a 110v amp on 220v?

oh god this is one of my threads, 6 years old already! How ignorant I was back then.
 
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