Plug-in Step-up question

[danehoy]

My wife recently returned from China with a nifty toy for me--the problem is that it is a 220V toy. As frequent international travelers, this is not terribly inconvenient. I plugged the 180W toy in to a 200W step-up converter we have...and instantly blew the fuse to the step-up...which is the problem.

My question is: Can I get a larger step-up in terms of wattage and not blow a fuse or am I stuck with a nifty chunk of metal in the garage?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Is it a 50 hz (cycles) only device or is it a 50/60 hz device?

If 50 hz only, its useless. If it is marked to run on 60 cycles, then you merely need to plug it into a 240v receptacle I would think.

Charles

 

[mrb]

does the thing have a motor in it? or anything else which draws alot of current on startup? Was the fuse in the step up converter fast acting or slow blow? Is the step up converter a transformer or electronic type?

 

[danehoy]

does the thing have a motor in it? or anything else which draws alot of current on startup? Was the fuse in the step up converter fast acting or slow blow? Is the step up converter a transformer or electronic type?

It has a big motor in it. The fuse blew instantly, so I would assume that it is fast.


It says on the thing in Chinese "~50Hz"

 

[Costner]

American standard for cycles is 60Hz.... I think you are out of luck on this one. Your cost to convert might be more than whatever it is your little toy is.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If it's designed for 50 Hz it may or may not work on 60 Hz (it may just be a little slower), but without knowing just what this toy is it's pretty hard to give any useful advice.

 

[kbs2244]

Dosn't China use the same kind of 220 as Europe?
It is just like our 2 wire 110 but the hot is pushing 220 volts instead of 110.
I don't think it is a hertz thing.
I think you need a different motor for stateside use.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Dosn't China use the same kind of 220 as Europe?
It is just like our 2 wire 110 but the hot is pushing 220 volts instead of 110.
I don't think it is a hertz thing.
I think you need a different motor for stateside use.

He said he was using a converter (to step up to 220v). The issue is that the motor probably overloads the converter on startup, and if he does get a converter big enough to operate it, some motors don't mind a difference in cycles, just slower/faster, but some will burn up or at least overheat. Depends on the motor and circuit design.

Charles

 

[danehoy]

My grandfather was an old farmer who butchered all his own livestock. I inherited a lot of the industrial equipment like the 100 pound meat grinder. My wife got me a meat slicer to go with it. I am happy to buy a 350+ watt step-up to run the motor if you think it will run a 50 Hz motor. I don't care if it runs hot--and if it burns out, I am still in the same position I am in now.

You guys have been a wealth of knowledge that I appreciate to this point. Thank you!

 

[comedyman809]

what kind of toy is this anyway?

 

[danehoy]

what kind of toy is this anyway?

Must have been posting at the same time, read one post before yours for answer.

 

[bd8134]

I am from the UK and have no problem running all the 230-240v 50Hz equipment I have. Pillar drill, bench grinder, mig welder, compressor, Bosch drill, circular saw, wood plane is some of stuff I have. Wired straight from the 220v supply. The power from motors is certainly less and apparently you might get buzzing from the motor windings because of the different frequencies. I have a simple stepup transformer that I used to use for a vacuum cleaner, etc but lower amperage.
This why I have so many 220v outlets in the garage..