Darling in Europe... (110 vs. 220)

opopanax666 · 29th March 2008, 10:06 AM

Hi guys & girls,

Having dabbled in electronics in the past, I'm looking to revive this interest by assembling a Darling amp. I found the plans on Bob D's site, but noticed that the Hammond specified used 115V (US), but we, here in Belgium, use 220.
Am I correct in assuming that replacing the 269EX by a 396EX would solve this problem, or am I missing something?

Thanks for any feedback!

Tweeker · 29th March 2008, 10:17 AM

Yes.

FWIW US voltage is nominally 120 now.

opopanax666 · 29th March 2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the quick reply!

EC8010 · 29th March 2008, 11:59 AM

The next problem is the frequency. Even if you have a transformer to go from 240V to 120V, Canadian transformers are designed for 60Hz and may saturate on 50Hz.

Ducati_EL34 · 29th March 2008, 02:05 PM

The 300 series is speced at 50/60 hertz.

opopanax666 · 29th March 2008, 02:05 PM

Well, the specifications state "50/60 Hz"... Maybe someone has experience with a "European" model of comparable quality (and price

) I could use as a replacement?..

Ducati_EL34 · 29th March 2008, 04:36 PM

This is from the Hammond website:

"Hammond has developed a new line of high quality, high voltage power transformers. Primary voltages of 100, 110, 120, 200, 220, 240 Volts at 50/60 HZ allow these to be used virtually anywhere in the world*."

boergars · 30th March 2008, 08:26 AM

I use the 369EX without any problem (in sweden who have got the same 230V / 50 Hz as you got).

Just do It. as Nike says....

hotbottle · 30th March 2008, 11:26 AM

Is the 50/60 Hz issue ever really a big problem? It seems to me that lot's and lot's of old tube based equipment has a voltage selector switch to allow it to be used anywhere in the world practically.

The difference in iron must be minimal anyway, so like Hammond seem to, why wouldn't most manufacturers design for 50/60Hz operation on everything?

opopanax666 · 30th March 2008, 12:01 PM

Yep, think I'm gonna go with the 369.

Thank y'all for the feedback!

29th March 2008, 10:06 AM	#1
opopanax666 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Darling in Europe... (110 vs. 220) Hi guys & girls, Having dabbled in electronics in the past, I'm looking to revive this interest by assembling a Darling amp. I found the plans on Bob D's site, but noticed that the Hammond specified used 115V (US), but we, here in Belgium, use 220. Am I correct in assuming that replacing the 269EX by a 396EX would solve this problem, or am I missing something? Thanks for any feedback!

29th March 2008, 10:17 AM	#2
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Yes. FWIW US voltage is nominally 120 now. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

29th March 2008, 11:59 AM	#4
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	The next problem is the frequency. Even if you have a transformer to go from 240V to 120V, Canadian transformers are designed for 60Hz and may saturate on 50Hz. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

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29th March 2008, 10:59 AM	#3
opopanax666 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Thanks for the quick reply!

29th March 2008, 02:05 PM	#5
Ducati_EL34 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	The 300 series is speced at 50/60 hertz.

29th March 2008, 04:36 PM	#7
Ducati_EL34 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	This is from the Hammond website: "Hammond has developed a new line of high quality, high voltage power transformers. Primary voltages of 100, 110, 120, 200, 220, 240 Volts at 50/60 HZ allow these to be used virtually anywhere in the world*."

30th March 2008, 08:26 AM	#8
boergars diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Angered, Sweden	I use the 369EX without any problem (in sweden who have got the same 230V / 50 Hz as you got). Just do It. as Nike says....

30th March 2008, 11:26 AM	#9
hotbottle diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Is the 50/60 Hz issue ever really a big problem? It seems to me that lot's and lot's of old tube based equipment has a voltage selector switch to allow it to be used anywhere in the world practically. The difference in iron must be minimal anyway, so like Hammond seem to, why wouldn't most manufacturers design for 50/60Hz operation on everything?

30th March 2008, 12:01 PM	#10
opopanax666 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Yep, think I'm gonna go with the 369. Thank y'all for the feedback!

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