Here is an elegant (insane?) way of converting 220V to 110V

[Elvee]

Here is a possible answer (the mad scientist version) to this problem:

What is the elegant way to convert 220? to 110V? - diyAudio

This circuit is basically a phase control system allowing the power to flow for 30° on either side of the zero crossing of the 230V input waveform (sin 30° = 0.5).
It uses a MOS rather than an SCR or triac to improve flexibility and to conduct twice per half-cycle.
Doing so has a number of advantages: it reduces the stress on the circuit elements and almost doubles the ripple frequency seen at the output of the transformer.
The conduction is a little larger than 30°, because the V.s product with this waveform is smaller and allows it, and because the leakage inductance of the transformer will cause a larger drop wrt. to the peak voltage than a regular sinusoid.
One screenshot shows the result with a simulated transformer, and the other on a pure resistive load.
The IC can be a LM393. The ground connection is for simulation purposes only.
Note that the circuit also acts as a soft- start.

Disclaimer:

If you choose to build this circuit, it is your sole responsibilty, etc etc

[zigzagflux]

I suspect phase control will not produce a very happy audio system. Think of having light dimmers nearby, and the trouble they create. Now feed your system off a light dimmer, and get ready for some real buzz.

[Charles Darwin]

Still think the easiest way is to stroll down to your local building supplies merchant and buy one of those fetching yellow step-down transformers they use for 110V power tools.

On ebay they frequently pop up for next to nothing s/h and they come in all conceivable sizes..

[Elvee]

One more thing:

Thanks to the frequency-doubling effect, the peak voltage (and consequently the useful output power from the transformer) can be susbtantially increased:
The conduction angle can be increased to 60° without risk of causing the core material to saturate, leading to a peak primary voltage of 280V in a 230/115V system.

On the other hand, the ripple can be optimized by choosing a 45° angle, thus making 4*F the dominant ripple frequency, yielding 230V peak primary voltage.

The conduction angle can be modified by increasing the value of R9.

[martin clark]

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

Still think the easiest way is to stroll down to your local building supplies merchant and buy one of those fetching yellow step-down transformers they use for 110V power tools.

If you are tempted to try it, be prepared for odds sounds. Those 240:110Vac site isolation transformers (in the UK) have massive leakage inductance designed-in - it's part of the fault current limiting strategy, and doesn't matter to 50Hz power tools. It's also mostly why they run so damn hot even when unloaded.

[Elvee]

The following example compares the situation of a conventional 115V sinusoid solution with the voltage converter set at a higher conduction angle.

The average output voltage rises from 32V to 48V, a 50% increase, while the ripple voltage goes down by 1V pp (much more as a percentage).
Yet, the transformer's core utilization is still lower, meaning lower iron losses.

[Charles Darwin]

Originally Posted by martin clark

If you are tempted to try it, be prepared for odds sounds. Those 240:110Vac site isolation transformers (in the UK) have massive leakage inductance designed-in - it's part of the fault current limiting strategy, and doesn't matter to 50Hz power tools. It's also mostly why they run so damn hot even when unloaded.

I haven't tried it personally but whenever I see american musicians here they almost invariably have the instruments amps plugged into those.
Friend of mine uses an US-made SWR bass amp which kept breaking down. He eventually had it back-converted to 110V and is using one of those now without problems. Similarly I know of a few people who bought US studio equipment using them. All without odd noises or problems.

[Elvee]

In addition, the circuit also acts as a line voltage regulator: because the conduction time is decided by comparing the incoming waveform with a fixed reference, the output voltage has a constant peak value.
It is therefore a universal power supply front-end, accepting mains voltages from 100 to 300V~, depending on the MOS rating.

[SoNic_real_one]

And in addition will act like a huge voltage-spike generator on the secondary side of the transformers that are fed with such a voltage shape (due to the switching on non-zero transitions).
I would not tie that output to an equipment that has any kind of transformer or even direct rectifier/switched power supply.

[Elvee]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

And in addition will act like a huge voltage-spike generator on the secondary side of the transformers that are fed with such a voltage shape (due to the switching on non-zero transitions).
I would not tie that output to an equipment that has any kind of transformer or even direct rectifier/switched power supply.

Have you read the title?

Here is an elegant (insane?)

By the way, SMPS based supplies see even larger spikes, and 1,000 times more often too.