Step down Transformer

[Scrambyjess]

Recently purchased a powerpac Transformer/Converter for my Porter Cable. However it doesnt work when I switched it on. The Power indicator blinked for a sec and the whole think went dead. Opened up the fuse and think its blown. Being NOT an electrical Man,I hope bros here can help me out, as I was thnking I'd set the Input voltage wrongly. Should I set it to Input voltage as 220V instead of 110V?

 

 

Can I either both socket points for my PC, or I can only use the socket indicated with 110V on top?

 

[Dermocyma]

interesting question. i would like to know too. do u think the product comes with a user instruction guide?

[Scrambyjess]

No instruction manual...I know Singapore uses 220V, but how do I set the converter to make it step down to 110V? I dun dare to mess with it coz the Porter cable costed me a bomb

Edited February 4, 2007 by Scrambyjess

[Pisces69]

If your incoming current is from the power supply at home, it sud b Input Voltage as 220v. That's why u blew the fuse cos u overloaded it twice the selected voltage.

 

If u on a boat, check. Most boats use 110v only.

 

For the 2 outlets, just plug a cheap appliance like a light bulb into the 110v & 220v to check if they work normally.

 

As long as the appliance is for local use (ie:220v) u sud not damage it with 110v cos there is no overloading. Only problem it wil function at 1/2 efficiency.

[Pisces69]

Cost u a bomb & they never included an instruction manual?????

 

Or u got it from the "back-door".

 

 

Oh. Forgot to add. SG voltage is between 220-240volts.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Pisces69

[Scrambyjess]

I see so the converter should be set to 220v on the back panel for home use, will try it but have to wait till i get a new fuse. And I believe I can only plug the PC to the socket with the 110v indication? Coz the PC is from USA and is designed to work with 110v only, if i plug it to 220v it will still blow?

 

The converter sure didnt come with instruction manual, Im afraid to try with my porter cable earlier as that thing costed me a bomb.. and the manual for the pc didnt state how to use it with a transformer

Edited February 4, 2007 by Scrambyjess

[Number19]

Voltage from wall socket should be 220V, or even 230V (average). As for which socket your PC7424's plug goes into shouldn't it be the 110V? Cos the PC requires voltage of 110V. That's my reasoning~

 

My understanding is that if u plug the PC into the 220V its just as good as plug into wall socket (230V) which won't work

 

You bought it at homefix DIY, maybe just go back and check with the staff if its convenient.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Number19

[Chogokin]

Is yrs 500Watts only? I bought at 1000watts . No problem in using. I wondering is due to watts problem even though PC only need 350 watts.

[Pisces69]

Does your PC have a small switch at the back or bottom to change from 220 to 110 volts & visa versa? Some do.

 

Test the power output on the 2 sockets with a simple light bulb. Worse is the bulb wil blow. If it is dim, means it is receiving only 1/2 the volts (ie. 110v) so u wil know which socket is 110v & which is 220v or if both sockets r the same.

[Jian]

Bro, u r lucky u got a blown fuse only. Can give me more info on your PC? What is the voltage 110v or 230-240v. As a home-fix stuff, allow me to clear ya doubts. Input voltage, set the pin to 240v. Note: use only in SG. As for the infront logically should use the 110v plug

 

Purpose of a step up/down tranformer is to switch voltage from 110v to 240v or 240v to 110v to suit the requiment. No point buying one for a 240v appliance.

 

As for watts, if u brought a 1000watts. should be enough. Cos a rice cooker only consume 600 watts. the blown fuse only tell me that a wrong usage nothing to do with high watts. 100-1000watts, if the appliance needs to consume 600watts, u buy 500watts, it just cant work. insufficant supply. and if the appliance consume 600, u buy a 1000watts, no problem, sufficant supply. NOTE: high watts will not blown your appliance, wrong vlotage WILL!

[Pisces69]

The watts wil determine what amperage u r drawing based on the voltage.

 

ie. 1000w running on 220v = 4.545 amps. (1000w divide by 220 volts).

 

So if your household voltage is 220v, u can run equip which is slightly less then 3000watts on it as most wiring is for 13 amps.

 

If u have more then 3000 watts, u have to have specially run wiring that is 15 or 20 amps (usually for water heaters & AC units).

[Scrambyjess]

Thanks for your help, greatly appreciated. So in conclusion, i should set the pin for input voltage at 240V, (not 220V for singapore?)and plug the PC to the 110V socket.

 

The U.S porter cable runs at 3.7amps, which I believed 500Watts is more than sufficent to support the needed 407watts (3.7 x 110).

[Chogokin]

PC is using 3.7A so i presume 500W may not be enough.

[Hawk2xl]

agreed, 500W is borderline

 

if motor efficiency is 80%

3.7A + (3.7A x 0.2) = 4.44A

 

at 110V

4.44A x 110V = 488.4W

 

at 120V

4.44 x 120V = 532.8W

 

if you cant' exchange for a higher wattage step down transformer just make sure you don't run the pc at maximum speed for extended period of time. also check the step down transformer from time to time during operation and make sure that it's not too hot.

[Skip]

PC is using 3.7A so i presume 500W may not be enough.

 

Theoretically for AC curent:

 

Power = current*voltage*0.707(RMS)

 

Therefore the power rating for the PC should be 3.7*110*0.707 = 287.749W

 

I tried my PC on a 350W transformer and it worked fine, so your 500W transformer should have more than enough juice.

[Ducktail]

My transformer is just like yours, let me go home and check out the setting.

 

I only use the outlet that says 110V didn't dare try the one labled 220V.

 

So far it works out ok.

[Ducktail]

here's the pics

Edited February 5, 2007 by Ducktail

[Ducktail]

 

Edited February 5, 2007 by Ducktail