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Post subject: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:43 pm
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Ok, this question has been posed before. That of using a North American Mustang in Europe.
Scott-UK gave the opinion a while back, that it's entirely possible that Fender doesn't manufacture different voltage versions, and that there may be a switch or different tap from the PT, rather than use a bulky step down tranny.

It's very unlikely that Fender will confirm or deny, nor would you expect them to encourage people poking around in potentially dangerous areas, but I wonder if anyone out there can glean anything from these gutshots?

I'm pretty handy with the soldering iron, and have swapped transformers, installed choke etc in my Marshall, but not so clear when it comes to solid state.
There's certainly no hefty valve style iron lurking in there.
Any have any more insight?

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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 2:38 am
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240volt M111v2 are available in OZ, I have one .
Regards, Ross


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:04 pm
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yes, the 240V models are available, but I think the OP wants to modify a 120V model (presumably because he has one or can get one for cheaper than the 240V model) for 240V

Often the switching power supply in a device is capable of handling either 120 or 240 automatically (I have many devices labelled 120-240), and I think the OP is hoping this is the case with the MIII.

While it's plausible this is indeed the case, I have no idea how to tell if the power supply in the screen shot is indeed dual voltage.

so yeah, I'm no help...

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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:09 pm
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correct on all counts. I was considering sending one over to UK for someone, as I have 2.

Yea, I think if it was auto selecting it would say "110-240" on the back. Plus I've seen a few threads where people have tried plugging a 240v unit into a 110 unit, and getting no life from it.

I was hoping to find micro switch or similar under the hood....

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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:17 pm
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I know this is not what you want to hear but, instead of messing around with the PCB, I think it will be easier and more cost effective to:

-either add a 240-100 transformer (Even inside the PCB enclosure, but make sure it's shielded or you are going to get hum on the speaker) than modifying the included power supply

-or, if you hate transformers (as pretty much everybody else), you can try a small transformerless AC reducer, something like this (look at the capacitor resistor at the input and how to calculate its value):

http://www.edn.com/design/power-managem ... ransformer


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:08 pm
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Quote:
Scott-UK gave the opinion a while back, that it's entirely possible that Fender doesn't manufacture different voltage versions, and that there may be a switch or different tap from the PT

I don't know what thread that was, I vaguely remember the discussion. To be clear, I have no facts about this - I was just hypothesising what Fender might do to keep manufacturing costs down.

However...

From another topic a few months ago, I recall someone accidentally plugged a 120v Mustang into a 240v supply, and fried their amp. So unfortunately I don't think this:

Quote:
Often the switching power supply in a device is capable of handling either 120 or 240 automatically (I have many devices labelled 120-240), and I think the OP is hoping this is the case with the MIII

works with the Mustangs. Something inside the Mustang is hard-wired for a particular supply voltage, even if the components are identical.

Personally, for the effort involved versus cost of alternatives, I wouldn't bother trying to modify the Mustang internals. I'd either buy an appropriate step-down transformer, or just buy another Mustang with the right voltage. Having said that, I can entirely understand the interest in building/modifying a circuit oneself.


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:58 pm
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all good points, thank you.

Looks like an external step down transformer is the way forward. Does anyone know if the frequency (50/60Hz) makes any difference to the amp?

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Last edited by Audiotaxi on Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:05 am
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Audiotaxi wrote:
all good points, thank you.

Looks like a the step down is the way forward. Does anyone know if the frequency (50/60Hz) makes any difference to the amp?


Boy, it did with my first two Marshalls (Majors) back in the day---both caught fire before it was realized that different solder had to be used for the American market. At least, that was the excuse I was given. Never got a third one.

Paj
8^)


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 1:29 pm
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Audiotaxi wrote:
all good points, thank you.

Looks like an external step down transformer is the way forward. Does anyone know if the frequency (50/60Hz) makes any difference to the amp?


You should never use a transformer at a lower frequency than its rating. It doesnt look like the mustang uses a transformer internally, but that's yet another reason to buy the proper amp unless you really know what you area doing.

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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 11:42 pm
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For what it's worth I used step down transformer with Vox amp (Cambridge?) no problem, and also have Sharp home theater I use stepdown with. Can't speak for Mustangs as I bought one over here in Thailand (+50% in price). It's 50 hz here too.


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:01 am
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The difference between a 50 hz and 60 hz transformer is zero.
If it has fancy modern digital switching then maybe.. BUT frequency in equals frequency out.
My buddy brought a load of gear back to the UK from the US and bought stupid big buzzing stepdown transformers and they broke after a few years.


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Post subject: Re: 110 to 230V gutshots included
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:57 pm
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If the frequency applied to a transformer is increased, the inductive reactance of the windings is increased, causing a greater ac voltage drop across the windings and a lesser voltage drop across the load. However, an increase in the frequency applied to a transformer should not damage it. But, if the frequency applied to the transformer is decreased, the reactance of the windings is decreased and the current through the transformer winding is increased. If the decrease in frequency is enough, the resulting increase in current will damage the transformer. For this reason a transformer may be used at frequencies above its normal operating frequency, but not below that frequency.

Since you're operating your transformer 20% out of spec, you are taking a risk.

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