Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: runequester on December 20, 2009, 04:40:59 PM
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So I am gearing up to getting a 1200 from amigakit but I have a question.
The machines they sell are UK machines. I'll be using the indivision aga so no worry about NTSC vs PAL, but what about power supply?
I see they sell the little adapters that allow you to connect UK equipment to a US outlet. Are those safe or will they blow up my poor unsuspecting amiga due to the difference in voltage?
If thats the case, any other suggestions?
Cheers!
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Do not use an A1200 UK/European PSU in the UK even with the basic convertor we sell as they are not switch mode.
You can either use a PSU which is from an A500 if you have one or use a 250W Switch Mode PSU that we also sell:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=866
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Yeah. Don't burn up your Amiga and your house. Safety first!
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I hghly recommend the 250w PSU's that Amigakit sell ... much better than dialing 911
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I used my UK 240v A1200 for many years in the USA using a dirt cheap 110v-220v adapter bought at Radio Shack. It worked perfectly with the A1200 and plugged into the wall socket and then the actual A1200 plug went into it, but I had to buy a more expensive and bulky model for my A1081 monitor.
Edit: I'm still using one right now to run a Brazilian 220v DVD player. Cat No 273-1411
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Do not use an A1200 UK/European PSU in the UK even with the basic convertor we sell as they are not switch mode.
You can either use a PSU which is from an A500 if you have one or use a 250W Switch Mode PSU that we also sell:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=866
Well, that isnt too expensive. So that PSU would permit me to connect a UK A1200 to a US power outlet ?
This looks like its intended for a tower though, which I was not planning to use.
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@runequester
I run my BigFoot power supply externally and it looks similar to what AmigaKit sells. The only difference is that I have lots of disk drive power supply cords coming out of mine also.
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Just use a US power supply. I have been on both my A600 and A1200 from the UK. The"Brick" part does the converting, the Motherboards are the same (Voltages) at the jack (on the motherboard).
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So basically, you are saying that a regular American A500 Power Supply will work with an A1200 from the UK? This is because "The Brick" outputs the same voltage to the motherboard connector, irregardless of the input voltage? And the motherboard connectors are the same in US and UK models? I just want to make very certain of this, because it's much easier to get an A1200 from the UK than to find one in the USA.
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SteveD: An Amiga motherboard needs certain voltages at certain amperages. period. The PSU HAS to convert the input voltage. .. To +/- 5VDC, and +/- 12VDC, I think. Please, get more info from ppl. here... esp. AmigaKit :) if you're not convinced.
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So basically, you are saying that a regular American A500 Power Supply will work with an A1200 from the UK? This is because "The Brick" outputs the same voltage to the motherboard connector, irregardless of the input voltage? And the motherboard connectors are the same in US and UK models? I just want to make very certain of this, because it's much easier to get an A1200 from the UK than to find one in the USA.
Yes, you can use an American A500 power supply on a UK A1200. All Amiga power supplies for the A500, A600 and A1200 are interchangable between those three machines.
A UK 240v Amiga A1200 power supply WILL go bang if used on American 110v. Use a modified PC 250w PSU as per Amigakit's suggestion earlier in this thread.
.
.
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Thanks, ZeBeeDee and marcfrick2112, I believe you two have answered my question. If the Amiga motherboard runs at 5 VDC everywhere in the world, it stands to reason that the PSU brick must convert the incoming voltage, either 110 or 240, down to 5. Thus, the user can select an appropriate PSU for their voltage environment, and it will downconvert to 5 VDC. Thus, an American PSU for a UK machine should work just fine, and everyone says an A500 PSU is better for an A1200 anyway. So, unless I hear different, my current plans include purchasing an A1200 from the USA or UK and using an American A500 PSU for it.
Yeah, plugging a 240V PSU into an American wall socket would be a really bad idea. :lol:
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If you want to be sure, get a multimeter and check the low voltage outputs. (Don't touch the high volt section).
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I used my UK 240v A1200 for many years in the USA using a dirt cheap 110v-220v adapter bought at Radio Shack. It worked perfectly with the A1200 and plugged into the wall socket and then the actual A1200 plug went into it, but I had to buy a more expensive and bulky model for my A1081 monitor.
Edit: I'm still using one right now to run a Brazilian 220v DVD player. Cat No 273-1411
I had trouble with the Radio Shack converter bricks while travelling. Granted, I went from the US to Europe, but I Imagine the difference is just how the transformer is wired. I recall I had some serious trouble wih my electric razor, acting like its underpowered. I think the transformer only steps 220v-110v, and doesn't do much for the power frequency. (US uses 60hz, UK/EU 50, same as NTSC/PAL diff. I'm guessing older TV's used AC freq. for timing, causing the difference in standards, but thats just a guess) I think the motors were trying to spin up to 60 or 30 rps, but were slower due to the lower frequency, resulting in facial hair getting yanked out by the roots... Also, the European end was just two metal rods sticking out of a square brick, which did little goot in Norway/Denmark/Germany/Wherever with their recessed grounded outlets. I had a pretty nice mustache/beard by the time I landed in Chicago again. :-D
I'm not sure if the frequence problem would be an issue for an A1200, I'm thinking if its unexpanded it wouldn't, but CPU cards might get t picky...
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Hi kvasir,
There is no frequency problem for the A1200, as its a dc input.
5vdc USA = 5vdc UK :)
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Just got a 1200 from the UK yesterday.
Unhooked my current 1200 and plugged the new one in.
(I'm using a ATX power supply)
Booted up no problem.
(Now I just have to get used to the keyboard layout.) :)
Later,
dabone
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:) True, though I was more worried about what the AC end of the PSU was expecting, if there's any difference in how a transformer flatlines 60hz and 50hz to DC, there might be some fluctuations coming in on the DC end. I'm thinking I just got an el cheapo converter, though. Useful for charging a cell-phone, not much more. (Not that my cell would even work over there. And if I had enough $$$ for a triband or sat phone, I'm sure a new charger wouldn't be a prob, either.. lol)
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Your shaver was probably 110-240v 50/60Hz compatible anyway, so using the converter probably confused it due to the frequency difference.
(Just a guess as to why it ran slow).