240v to 120v?

[earvid]

So I recently purchased a free-standing air conditioner not realizing it is 240V can I use a plug converter to plug it into a regular outlet??

 

[scraejtp]

No, you will need to wire a dedicated 240V outlet from your panel.

 

[renloy]

They do make converters but I don't think you want to spend the $ for one that can run an AC.

 

[kbs2244]

As said,
You need a new circuit.

You can go 240 to 120 but not the other way.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So I recently purchased a free-standing air conditioner not realizing it is 240V can I use a plug converter to plug it into a regular outlet??

A plug converter as in a NEMA 5-15 to a NEMA 6-15(120v 15a to 240v 15a)?

If so no that wont work. The unit needs 240v. Using a plug converter will still only supply the unit with 120v.

You need a new circuit composed of 2 hots and a ground...

 

[prostreetamx]

As said,
You need a new circuit.

You can go 240 to 120 but not the other way.

This will only work if the original 240v location has a neutral in the box or already is dedicated so you can re phase one of the hots into a neutral which normally is not legal. You could also use a transformer but not cheap. If going from 120 to 240v, you would need to supply twice the amps as the load requires to produce 240 from 120v.

 

[btdobie]

There is a cheater way to run it without a new circuit that you definitely shouldn't do. If you were for some reason to build an extension cord with 2 120v 15 amp male ends and one 240v 15 amp female end and wire one hot from each male end to each of the hot terminals of the female end, then you could achieve 240v by plunging each male end into separate circuits which draw from opposite bus bars.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

There is a cheater way to run it without a new circuit that you definitely shouldn't do. If you were for some reason to build an extension cord with 2 120v 15 amp male ends and one 240v 15 amp female end and wire one hot from each male end to each of the hot terminals of the female end, then you could achieve 240v by plunging each male end into separate circuits which draw from opposite bus bars.

Theres so many things wrong with that, why would you even suggest such a stupid idea to someone who is obviously doesnt know basic electrical?

 

[GRB]

Theres so many things wrong with that, why would you even suggest such a stupid idea?

You might want to quote the specific stupid idea so that we can know which idea. The OP is clearly clueless and people are suggesting they do various stupid things??????
WOW!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You might want to quote the specific stupid idea so that we can know which idea. The OP is clearly clueless and people are suggesting they do various stupid things??????
WOW!

Fixed

 

[nadogail]

There is a cheater way to run it without a new circuit that you definitely shouldn't do. If you were for some reason to build an extension cord with 2 120v 15 amp male ends and one 240v 15 amp female end and wire one hot from each male end to each of the hot terminals of the female end, then you could achieve 240v by plunging each male end into separate circuits which draw from opposite bus bars.

An apparatus like the one described could be called a "Kill me quick". the use of which would be suicidal.

This has to be one of the more ill-advised schemes I have heard of lately. Very dangerous in unskilled hands and IMHO just not a good idea. Save this idea for the rare life or death emergency situation when you are under fire from hostile forces.