Changing voltage on Thorens TD 126 MkIII

[mickeyrx70]

I bought my Thorens TD126 MkIII in 1980 while living in England. It hasn't been used since I returned to the States in '82, having been stored in its original box. I'd like to get back into vinyl now, but the Thorens is 220V and I don't know how to set it to 110-120V. It has a 50hz/60hz switch under the platter -- does it also change the voltage (50hz ~ 220V; 60hz ~ 120V) ?? This switch isn't mentioned in my owners manual. I know I could use a step down transformer, but I'd prefer not. Thanks for any help.

 

[kevinkr]

Best thing to do is to go to Vinyl Engine | The Home of the Turntable, join and download the manual for the 126. The approach is very similar to the one taken for the 125 which just requires you remove the 20mm x 5mm fuse and install the appropriate 3AG type fuse in the other fuse holder adjacent to the power transformer. You do not need to replace the power switch or change any internal wiring, just change to the proper fuse as shown below. The fuse is 0.125A/250V and an MDL type should work well: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/BK%2FMDL-1%2F8-R/283-3392-ND/1024231

You will also have to move the 50Hz/60Hz strobe light setting to the 60Hz position.

Since this thing has been in storage for a good many years you should consider replacing the electrolytics in the power supply and a number of other places before applying power to it. (It has been stored for 30yrs now, well beyond the shelf life of those caps.) In fact serious damage to the table electronics is possible if you don't.

Also if it were the case that it is only 220V then you would use a step-up transformer, but the unit in question is dual voltage.