Topic: What gizmo do I need....? (Read 10895 times)

bgbazz · « **on:** January 03, 2016, 03:57:14 PM »

Short story first.....

A good mate came over from the US and stayed over Xmas...gifts for everyone! Mine was a Dremel (very handy), but it is set up for the US voltage system and I can't use it.

What's the thing I need? Is it called a transformer, or a converter, or an inverter...or something else?

It's 110 - 120 volts and we use 220 -230 volts here....don't want to fry it (or me).

I know we have some very talented and experienced sparkies on here.....

wildwood · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:22:06 PM »

Screwfix do transformers for that sort of thing.....so do Machine Mart...

It's a bit like the ruling here that all trades,on site,should have 110 v stuff.

So you need to be able to use the gear offsite you get a transformer..... About £50 but sometimes can be had cheaper

Nice piece of kit for a pressie you'll get loads of use out of that.....making things fit

bgbazz · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2016, 05:14:23 PM »

Quite right Jezz...it is a good bit of kit. I'm just about to wear out my 4th Dremel...I use them for heaps of things and I've had just about every accessory you can get for them, but this is the first time I've had one given to me...I didn't have the heart to tell him about the voltage issue.

So, it's a transformer I should be searching for? Bulgarian companies are difficult to deal with at the best of times, so it's important that I ask for the right thing...if you see what I mean.

Hillbilly · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2016, 05:40:44 PM »

Quote from: bgbazz on January 03, 2016, 05:14:23 PM

So, it's a transformer I should be searching for? Bulgarian companies are difficult to deal with at the best of times, so it's important that I ask for the right thing...if you see what I mean.

Doesn't shouting at them in pidgin English get the message across. Seemed to work for Basil.

bgbazz · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2016, 05:52:17 PM »

Quote from: Hillbilly on January 03, 2016, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: bgbazz on January 03, 2016, 05:14:23 PM

So, it's a transformer I should be searching for? Bulgarian companies are difficult to deal with at the best of times, so it's important that I ask for the right thing...if you see what I mean.

Doesn't shouting at them in pidgin English get the message across. Seemed to work for Basil.

Sssssshhh...your age is starting to show....cheeky bugger!!

Bulgies use the word 'transformer' to describe a childs toy, or transfer case in a 4WD, or a something to do with electricity....a lot of shouting in pidgin is required!!! Much waving of the hands and digits is required!!!

Success depends on a lot of things...come over and ask for a battery (automatically means a smack...usually in the face)...the word you need is 'accumulator'....then you need to describe what you need it to do....for your car it's an accumulator na kolliwa. (battery of the car)..a battery to fit your torch is an accululator na moya lampa (and you need to show the thing you need the battery for).....are you beginning to see why I ask you guys for help?

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:05:47 PM »

I may have a little converter that may help. Also Will ask my estern European tech mates what the right word is

bgbazz · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2016, 04:56:50 AM »

That would be very helpful mate. I'm going up to my workshop this morning and will fetch the handbook back so I can provide all the details of what the Dremel needs to operate properly.

Cheers

Mole734 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2016, 09:33:57 AM »

You need something like one of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/c/batteries-and-power/power-supplies/mains-voltage-converters

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2016, 11:21:35 AM »

let me know what the wattage is

bgbazz · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2016, 11:54:31 AM »

Thanks guys...I tried to get up to the workshop this morning but the road is blocked by very deep snow, so it will be tomorrow before I can try again.

Dutch · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2016, 02:34:32 PM »

Don't Hertz, cycles thingamabobs come into play too if you have US leccy stuff ?

From some crafty googeling :
The standard voltage and frequency of alternating current (AC) electricity used in homes varies from country to country throughout the world. Typically, either 110-volt AC (110V) or 220-volt AC (220V) voltages are used. Also, most countries use 50Hz (50 Hertz or 50 cycles per second) as the AC frequency. Only a handful use 60Hz. The standard in the United States is 120V and 60Hz AC electricity. However, due to fluctuations, the average measured voltage is 117 VAC.

bgbazz · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2016, 02:48:45 PM »

From what I remember reading in the handbook, that sounds very familiar, but I'll still check it anyway...thanks.

bgbazz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2016, 05:17:20 PM »

Following the example set by the Curator, I've been doing a bit of Googling....110 - 120 volts, 50 - 60 Hz, 130W rated input. Hope all that makes sense to those who know about this magic stuff.

Looking at the Maplins site, it would seem that something like their VRO5F might do the trick...or have I got it arse backwards??

doctorchopper · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2016, 09:13:07 PM »

Have a look on the data plate on the side of the tool, a lot of newer electric items are dual voltage, it will tell you wither 120vac or 120-230 vac or something like that, if it is the second one then you can just get a adapter or change the plug

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2016, 10:04:01 PM »

:iagree but i don't think Dremels do that
Sorry Bazz but the littel transformer i have is not powerful enough to run any Dremals
The maplin one looks the job

bgbazz · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2016, 03:56:26 PM »

Update

I decided to get the good guff straight from the horses mouth, and sent them (Dremel) an email and asked for their suggestions.

Their reply was....

We don't condone the use of voltage converters' with our products, but can see no reason why the one that you mentioned (the Maplins VRO5F) should give any problems. Please be aware that any claims under warranty will NOT be accepted.

The old 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' springs to mind.

bgbazz · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2016, 06:56:28 PM »

Further to the above...

Does anyone have a use for this Dremel....it's brand new (I opened the box, took a look and put it back)...comes in the plastic carry case with a bunch of cutting/sanding/grinding bits and bobs and in the original shipping box.

Anyone who is interested can either have it for the cost of the postage or find me a set of mauals for my Golf4 TDI and we will do a swap.

To refresh your memory...110 - 120 volts, 50 - 60 cycles, 125W rated input motor.

In the bin if no takers...what a waste!

wildwood · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2016, 07:04:55 PM »

Bulgarian eBay might be worth a punt?

bgbazz · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2016, 07:10:02 PM »

It might be...if there was such a creature Jez!

ivanidea · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2016, 11:38:36 PM »

I wonder who I know is planning on moving to the USA?

bgbazz · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2016, 08:02:42 AM »

Quote from: ivanidea on January 08, 2016, 11:38:36 PM

I wonder who I know is planning on moving to the USA?

Does he feel a need for something to take with him?

bgbazz · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2016, 05:49:44 PM »

Following much searching around on various internet sites (UK, Europe and locally), it has become clear that this Dremel 3000 is destined for a future in the bin.

Taking into account the cost of the transformer thingy, plus the cost of having it delivered to me...it is actually a bit cheaper to buy the same model (with the correct voltage) over here.

I'll just keep the bits and bobs which came with it and bin the rest.

I hope the person who gave it to me for Xmas can't tell the difference.

Just to outline the costs....a decent transformer will cost me in the region of 35 quid...postage around the 45 - 50 quid mark (heavy). This model Dremel retails for 65 quid (give or take a few pence)....over here, in most stores. In your online type shops, it's between 58 and 85 pounds.

No brainer really.

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #22 on:** January 10, 2016, 06:45:50 PM »

fair point

bgbazz · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2016, 07:08:07 PM »

Quote from: bigjeepzj on January 10, 2016, 06:45:50 PM

fair point

Yeah, I agree....just sort of feels wrong to throw away something a 13 year old kid has saved up for ...and given to someone she never met before!

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #24 on:** January 10, 2016, 09:29:30 PM »

Is there any diy building supply places here you
See if you can get a yellow site transformer ? There 220 to 110

Author Topic: What gizmo do I need....? (Read 10895 times)

Mole734

doctorchopper