Quick simple power question.

Any thoughts on running a 220VAC Omni-171 power supply on 110VAC? Anyone got a favorite step up transformer they'd reccommend or something? I'm trying to plan ahead for when it gets here

Edit: woot 1300th post!

I've used Goldsource brand step up transformers for years, solidly built, reliable, easy to service, and inexpensive. Their product line is STU-[VA], so 500VA is STU-500, 3000VA is STU-3000 etc. What's the current requirement for the psu?

On the label it says: line voltage 220, standby current 3.5, and max current 9.4 so I'm assuming those current ratings are in Amps.

So you'd probably need to aim for a 2.5kW step up transformer. Warning though, it'll be quite heavy (>10kg)!

There is a trick regarding using multiple outlets in the US to get 240V, but I don't live in the US so I'll let someone who knows what they're talking about explain it, if they want

I think I found something suitable... I hate how some ion lasers only come 220V drives me crazy.

Don't you have an electric dryer, electric water heater, or electric stove in the house anywhere? Those all run off of 240V. Tap off of those.

A lot of the houses in my area were built before 240V mains lines became standard and were never upgraded. If you do have a 240V line then just use that, it is a lot simpler.

If you don't have a 240 line, then you need to get creative.

You can either use a step up transformer, aim for +10% more than the VA you need, and keep in mind that's VA not kW as power factor may not be >96% in the laser supply. If you need ~2kVA then 2.5kW/2.5VA is usually fine (STU-2500 in that case). Keep in mind that a standard 20Amp breakered 120V line can only sustain 2400VA. Your PSU shouldn't exceed that it looks like, but who knows, maybe the power factor is terrible. If you only have 15A breakered lines then you run two 120V lines in parallel (lines from different breakers ON THE SAME BREAKER-BOX LEG!!) for 30A max at 120V when using a step up transformer.

OR without a step up transformer run two 120V lines in series (hot and hot from each 120V line go to the psu instead of hot and neutral) FROM OPPOSITE LEGS OF THE BREAKER-BOX for 240V @ 15 or 20A max depending on what the breakers are rated.

US household "120v" (240v) standard service is 240V from the line in the form of 120-0-120. The pole pig is center tapped and that is the neutral line. The breaker box is divided into two legs, one side of the center tapped winding each. So between one leg and neutral is 120v and between the two legs is 240V.

Cyparagon said:

Don't you have an electric dryer, electric water heater, or electric stove in the house anywhere? Those all run off of 240V. Tap off of those.

Click to expand...

This is what I thought of after actually. I might do this. Or if I can I'll try to find the 120V version. I think the 120V version is 20A though...