Hi, everyone I have a situation, I have a amplifier which was transported from overseas, it came from Korea, and its model is a spa-3200, I googled it and found nothing on it.
Anyhow basically my problem is this, it’s a 220v @ 60hz, being in Australia we run on 50hz. Now I’ve been reading many websites regarding 50hz/60hz and some people are its ok, others tell me I’m going to burn out the transformer, and I was thinking of replacing it with a aussie 50hz one, I went to this website [/SIZE][/FONT]http://www.techtronics.com.au/p/115921/TRANSFORMERS_TOROIDAL and wanted to find a suitable replacement but I don’t know the specs of my existing transformer, when I measure the output voltage my fear is that because of the hz, it will give me a higher reading on the output voltage therefore I wouldn’t know what I could replace it with. Attached is some pictures of the amplifier on the link below, I was also hoping for the time being to attach a computer fan near the transformer so it can disperse heat away from the transformer to keep it within operating temperatures, I’m good with electronics but I’m not the best at it so I figured I’d ask someone who specialises in amps,
So far with the fan I reduce the 40c idle temperature down to about 30c, but so far I haven’t put it under load for more than 15 minutes.
Heres the link with the pictures, what do you all think?
http://imageshack.us/g/687/001xgh.jpg/
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Please help me with this..
meanwhile my new speakers which have only been used twice decided to deteriorate see pics.
Anyhow basically my problem is this, it’s a 220v @ 60hz, being in Australia we run on 50hz. Now I’ve been reading many websites regarding 50hz/60hz and some people are its ok, others tell me I’m going to burn out the transformer, and I was thinking of replacing it with a aussie 50hz one, I went to this website [/SIZE][/FONT]http://www.techtronics.com.au/p/115921/TRANSFORMERS_TOROIDAL and wanted to find a suitable replacement but I don’t know the specs of my existing transformer, when I measure the output voltage my fear is that because of the hz, it will give me a higher reading on the output voltage therefore I wouldn’t know what I could replace it with. Attached is some pictures of the amplifier on the link below, I was also hoping for the time being to attach a computer fan near the transformer so it can disperse heat away from the transformer to keep it within operating temperatures, I’m good with electronics but I’m not the best at it so I figured I’d ask someone who specialises in amps,
So far with the fan I reduce the 40c idle temperature down to about 30c, but so far I haven’t put it under load for more than 15 minutes.
Heres the link with the pictures, what do you all think?
http://imageshack.us/g/687/001xgh.jpg/
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Please help me with this..
meanwhile my new speakers which have only been used twice decided to deteriorate see pics.
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no.
a 220Vac transformer running on 230Vac will give out a higher voltage and run at a higher temperature.
A 60Hz transformer when fed with 50Hz will also run at a higher temperature.
He is right to ask.
But we can't tell him/her the answer.
Did Australia change their supply equipment (generators and transmission transformers) to allow operation at a different voltage?
Your quite right Andrew... the hazards of quickly posting a reply
(I just thought over lunch about what I posted and came back to correct it)
i've edited the post with the pics, just waiting on it to upload.
in one of the pictures, the transformer clearly has written on it 220/60/ij3
which means 220v @ 60hz. it doesn't have any voltage option or any way of changing it unless i replace it with a aussie 240v @ 50hz. i just don't know where to go from here?
in one of the pictures, the transformer clearly has written on it 220/60/ij3
which means 220v @ 60hz. it doesn't have any voltage option or any way of changing it unless i replace it with a aussie 240v @ 50hz. i just don't know where to go from here?
my line voltage varies from anywhere south of the border, down mexico lane (200v) to I got a gal I love in North and South Dakota...258v
But that is because I'm sharing a 100 amp feedline with other people.
I take no responsibility if you injure yourself or damage your equipment by following my advice here.
If you want to stabilize it then get yourself a variac transformer from tortech or ebay and step it down to 220v.
Tortech Australia's specialist in toroidal and step-down transformers
The tortech ones arent cheap though.
28c is fine tho for a transformer, 40c might be a bit on the burly side though... I would be worried and get a variac, I second what other people here are saying about the frequency, that would really only affect clocks that get their timing from the mains, and certian motors, but the voltage might shorten this amps life, I doubt it would make anything cook though, if your transformer gets above 60c after running it for a while I would be worried and shut it off, also watch out for any smells, a smell is an early sign of failure.
The variac will come in handy later on too when testing other amplifiers, and will find a quick buyer if you ever want to sell it.
But that is because I'm sharing a 100 amp feedline with other people.
I take no responsibility if you injure yourself or damage your equipment by following my advice here.
If you want to stabilize it then get yourself a variac transformer from tortech or ebay and step it down to 220v.
Tortech Australia's specialist in toroidal and step-down transformers
The tortech ones arent cheap though.
28c is fine tho for a transformer, 40c might be a bit on the burly side though... I would be worried and get a variac, I second what other people here are saying about the frequency, that would really only affect clocks that get their timing from the mains, and certian motors, but the voltage might shorten this amps life, I doubt it would make anything cook though, if your transformer gets above 60c after running it for a while I would be worried and shut it off, also watch out for any smells, a smell is an early sign of failure.
The variac will come in handy later on too when testing other amplifiers, and will find a quick buyer if you ever want to sell it.
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the good news is tortech isn't far from me, but i'm unsure this will help me, i don't believe the voltage is my problem, many devices are 220-240v, and my transformer is 220v, my problem is the 60hz,
i found a article saying its a bad idea
referring to the section of the page "4 - frequency" part
Voltage and Frequency
basically he was suggesting that 60hz transformers are made smaller that the same 50hz one, and the 60hz often uses a lower grade steel lamination,
he goes on to mention:
Part of the design process for a transformer is to ensure that there are enough primary turns to prevent the steel core from saturating. This depends on the voltage and the frequency. If the frequency is reduced (and 10Hz or 16.6% makes a big difference), there are no longer sufficient turns to prevent saturation. When the core saturates, the primary winding of the tranny draws much more current from the mains than normal - not just 16% more though, it can easily exceed 100% more.
The result is that the transformer overheats, and will eventually fail.. There is actually no difference between decreasing the frequency or increasing the voltage by the same ratio.
and then shows examples on the oscilloscope...
so i don't know. any ideas?
Normally it *should* not be a problem.
This is confirmed by the freezing cold temperatures shown by that transformer.
As a side note, I live in 220V 50Hz Argentina, we are chock full of US amps "bought in Miami, NY or LA", US version (as in 120V_only windings / 60Hz) and that has never been a problem.
Besides, Korean stuff is usually very well made.
That transformer looks good.
This is confirmed by the freezing cold temperatures shown by that transformer.
As a side note, I live in 220V 50Hz Argentina, we are chock full of US amps "bought in Miami, NY or LA", US version (as in 120V_only windings / 60Hz) and that has never been a problem.
Besides, Korean stuff is usually very well made.
That transformer looks good.
Operating temperature is a very good indication of abuse, whether due to voltage or frequency.
Check it often and learn to "read" the abuse or not.
You may be OK.
There is an alternative:
But you need to be confident that you have the skill to do this safely.
Add extra primary turns !
Even as few a 20Turns makes a significant difference to the idle current. You can measure the primary idle current with care to avoid electrocution !
Check it often and learn to "read" the abuse or not.
You may be OK.
There is an alternative:
But you need to be confident that you have the skill to do this safely.
Add extra primary turns !
Even as few a 20Turns makes a significant difference to the idle current. You can measure the primary idle current with care to avoid electrocution !
Makes sense to me now that you mention it, its amazing what we forget over the years, but yes higher frequency transformers are smaller....
I'm surprised no one has asked you if you can measure the unloaded transformer voltages and give us an indication of its open circuit readings...
Then its dc resistance taken when all secondary windings are disconnected from the amp pcb...
Its probably because that is an enviable rats nest in there, and finding a substitue transformer for it would be next to impossible without a lot of head scratching...
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Option #1:
The only way I see out of this problem is to keep the transformer cooled with the fan that you've got there, possibly making a second power supply inside of the case specifically for the fan, or simply volt regulating it with a L200 vreg board off ebay and tapping into one of the AC windings which is within the range of the input voltage of the LM317...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LM317-Ad...in_0&hash=item1c2d21c383&_uhb=1#ht_3595wt_689
Then turning the trimpot on the LM317 vreg board down so that the fan doesn't stall but keeps silent..Probably around 7-9v DC.
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Option #2:
This to me seems like the cheapest way out, but if the OP doesn't have confidence to do mains wiring then I suggest a different approach, and that is to simply get a power supply plug pack and a couple of chassis plugs and mount the fan inside of the case, then mount the chassis plugs and use the external power supply to keep the fan running.
I don't see any harm in letting the transformer run with a fan pointed in its general direction, does anyone else?
I of course don't take any responsibility for loss of life or injury or damage to equipment, household or family if the OP or anyone else takes my advice and that by reading the above post and or this legal disclaimer that you agree to abide by these terms.
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