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[bgbazz]

Good suggestion, but I spent ages over the weekend checking them out, but all I could find was really big versions....1000W and the like! Cheapest I could find was around the 500 quid mark...even after a discount for cash.

The most common reaction seemed to be...why the heck do you need to run 110v tools anyway??

 

[ivanidea]

I believe that the 110v pro tools are really +-55v, and are not compatible with the US devices.

Seems a shame to bin the unit, but at least you will have a few spare accessories.

I can't remember the last time I needed to use a Dremel type device - I have an old Black & Decker version somewhere in my tool box.

[bigjeepzj]

Good suggestion, but I spent ages over the weekend checking them out, but all I could find was really big versions....1000W and the like! Cheapest I could find was around the 500 quid mark...even after a discount for cash.

The most common reaction seemed to be...why the heck do you need to run 110v tools anyway??

 

must not be a requirement on  Bulgarian building  sites ?? £500 is a lot

[bgbazz]

Building sites here aren't regulated anywhere as much as yours are...the workers usually bring their own tools which is why extension cords run everywhere. Mate of mine (Mario...Peter Henry met him) worked as a project manager on the construction of a 10 floor office building and I helped him on a few occasions....I could tell you stories that would make your toes curl!!

I can't imagine why you would need a transformer on a building site, but all the ones I looked at were the size of a small fridge and very heavy.

[bigjeepzj]

all UK building site's are 110V only centre tapped to earth so maximum fault to earth is 55v 
A lot of control system on the rail use 110v for safety
you could lookout for an auto transformer.
or if you have a transformer with 220/110 switchable you  can make one
by using the primary side only


 

[bgbazz]

Thanks for all your input mate...it's making my head spin!! Maybe you should slip over here and have a look at how they do it...a typical building site will have dozens of extension cords, hooked up to a convenient socket, usually a next door property because it's cheaper to pay the neighbour a quid a week for consumption, plus a few fuses!

Electricians here are SUPPOSED  to be licenced, but most aren't (the self taught variety are common), scaffolders DON'T have to have a licence, plumbers are the guys who pay someone else to dig the trenches....lay the pipes...and do the hook ups...if it doesn't leak too much, it will pass! They are allowed to sign off the job...even if they never went and inspected it!

My wife wonders why I won't travel in a lift if I have to go up a few stories in a building...........but I'm still alive to talk about this.

PPE, hard hats and steel capped boots are not a requirement here...just a personal choice (if you want to wear it...you buy it).

One of the most obvious things I notice here....roadworkers paint the white lines on the road...first shower of rain, it's gone!! They use the same white paint that you use to paint the ceiling in your garage.

Things are getting better...so I'm told.

[bigjeepzj]

sounds fun not
must say the heath and safety over here seems to have gone mad.
But at-lest our lifts are safe 

[bgbazz]

sounds fun not
must say the heath and safety over here seems to have gone mad.
But at-lest our lifts are safe 

I hate lifts at the best of times...and not because I'm claustrophobic (I'm not), more because I can't see what's going on!!

Not going to argue about the H+S stuff...it was stupidly bad when I was working over there...10 years ago!!

[LairdScooby]

You could possibly try bookoo.com to see if there are any USAF bases anywhere near you - they do what they call "online yard sales" or "ebay on your doorstep" and sell off things like 220-110V transformers when they "PCS" or "TDY" - terms they use when they are moved around. Often they will let things go for peanuts just so they don't have to take them away.

Regardless of the circumstances, it seems a shame to bin a perfectly good tool just for the sake of a power supply!

A quick search on ebay UK found this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200-Watt-USA-Transformer-230V-110V-Volt-Converter-200W-110-Volts-Power-Adapter-/281487006153?hash=item4189eed9c9:g:7U8AAOSw1XdUWLu8

They don't list a postage option to Bulgaria, however most places are willing to send the occasional item to "foreign parts" so they may well be able to help.

Regarding the frequency (Hertz, Hz, cycles/second etc) this will only effect the speed. The USA runs on 60Hz so if Bulgaria is on 50Hz then instead of running at 3000rpm, the tool will run at 2500rpm. With things like audio equipment and anything computer controlled, this frequency change could have other effects but with most kit these days, these effects will have been designed out.

As for the power rating, if the tool is rated at 125-130W, ideally you need to go for a transformer/power supply capable of at least 1.5 times this so 200W should fit the bill. If you search through ebay to select a different item to the on i linked to, you may find they are rated in VA instead of W. This isn't a major problem as long as you remember that VA needs to be divided by the efficiency factor of the load,, which in the case of an electric motor in the Dremel will be about 0.8 (80% efficiency is a general figure for inductive loads like motors, transformers etc) so to get a 200W supply, you'll need to get a 240VA rated unit.

Hope all that makes sense, there's a few technical bits in there that non-electrical people might not be familiar with but feel free to ask about anything that doesn't make sense and i'll do my best to explain without giving a crash course in Electrical Engineering!

[bgbazz]

Thanks for taking the time to outline all that info...it's given me lots to consider.

 

[LairdScooby]

You're welcome - seems you're stuck between a rock and a hard place with the situation so thought i'd try to find a way round for you.

[bgbazz]

...and it is much appreciated.