Pictures he http://www2.css-networks.com/portercable/index.html

Could anybody please advice on the best course of action for using this
power tool in the UK?
It's a small Dual-Action orbital buffer, rated at 120V AC, 3.7 Amps.

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what they
do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big yellow
110v 750va site transformer.

I was hoping there would be an easier way, but I suspect not, since the
power goes straight to the stator (?) on the motor. I guess in order to
convert the unit, one would have to re-wind the motor (which I will not be
doing!)

What about these small solid state voltage convertors? I seem to remember
reading that they don't alter the frequency of the AC. I wonder the same
about the 110v yellow-box site transformers - are all these other users
running their units at 50Hz instead of the expected 60Hz?

thanks,
Carl

Carl Farrington wrote:
Pictures he http://www2.css-networks.com/portercable/index.html

Could anybody please advice on the best course of action for using this
power tool in the UK?
It's a small Dual-Action orbital buffer, rated at 120V AC, 3.7 Amps.

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what they
do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big yellow
110v 750va site transformer.

I was hoping there would be an easier way, but I suspect not, since the
power goes straight to the stator (?) on the motor. I guess in order to
convert the unit, one would have to re-wind the motor (which I will not be
doing!)

What about these small solid state voltage convertors? I seem to remember
reading that they don't alter the frequency of the AC. I wonder the same
about the 110v yellow-box site transformers - are all these other users
running their units at 50Hz instead of the expected 60Hz?

thanks,
Carl




Pick up one of those yellow box transformers, from what I hear they're
not terribly expensive. Another option would be to use a solid state
travel converter, they consist essentially of a triac light dimmer set
to a fixed output.

Power tools in general use series wound universal motors, the frequency
doesn't really matter, in fact they will even run on DC.

On Fri, 1 Sep 2006 22:13:22 +0100, Carl Farrington wrote:
Pictures he http://www2.css-networks.com/portercable/index.html

Could anybody please advice on the best course of action for using this
power tool in the UK?
It's a small Dual-Action orbital buffer, rated at 120V AC, 3.7 Amps.

Buy a second one and wire them in series.
Then, team up with another feller and work together. :-)

Jonesy
--
Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
38.24N 104.55W | @ config.com | Jonesy | OS/2
*** Killfiling google posts: http//jonz.net/ng.htm

In article ,
Carl Farrington
wrote:
Could anybody please advice on the best course of action for using this
power tool in the UK?
It's a small Dual-Action orbital buffer, rated at 120V AC, 3.7 Amps.

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what
they do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big
yellow 110v 750va site transformer.

Yes - they're actually better value than domestic units if you compare
these prices at the sort of current you require.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...mer/index.html

I was hoping there would be an easier way, but I suspect not, since the
power goes straight to the stator (?) on the motor. I guess in order to
convert the unit, one would have to re-wind the motor (which I will not
be doing!)

I take it there isn't a 230 volt version? A new motor supplied as a spare
would probably be cheaper than re-winding. It's possible the motor is used
in other equipment too.

What about these small solid state voltage convertors? I seem to
remember reading that they don't alter the frequency of the AC. I
wonder the same about the 110v yellow-box site transformers - are all
these other users running their units at 50Hz instead of the expected
60Hz?

They are just simple transformers so don't alter the frequency, which
would be an expensive option. Site transformers in the UK are used for
safety - not to save money by importing better value tools. ;-)

But most hand power tools won't be too concerned about the frequency.

--
*The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

James Sweet writes:

Carl Farrington wrote:
Pictures he http://www2.css-networks.com/portercable/index.html

Could anybody please advice on the best course of action for using this
power tool in the UK?
It's a small Dual-Action orbital buffer, rated at 120V AC, 3.7 Amps.

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what they
do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big yellow
110v 750va site transformer.

I was hoping there would be an easier way, but I suspect not, since the
power goes straight to the stator (?) on the motor. I guess in order to
convert the unit, one would have to re-wind the motor (which I will not be
doing!)

What about these small solid state voltage convertors? I seem to remember
reading that they don't alter the frequency of the AC. I wonder the same
about the 110v yellow-box site transformers - are all these other users
running their units at 50Hz instead of the expected 60Hz?

thanks,
Carl




Pick up one of those yellow box transformers, from what I hear they're
not terribly expensive. Another option would be to use a solid state
travel converter, they consist essentially of a triac light dimmer set
to a fixed output.

Power tools in general use series wound universal motors, the frequency
doesn't really matter, in fact they will even run on DC.

A generic light dimmer may not work with a motor as a result of the change in
phase between voltage and current due to its inductance. If the triac
fails or ends up being on solid, you get 220 VAC across the 110 V
motor and the motor won't last long.

The transformer is safest.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

"Carl Farrington" wrote
in message ...

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what they
do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big yellow
110v 750va site transformer.

Use of the transformer is required by UK law. Buy a smaller transformer or
rent one.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Carl Farrington
wrote:

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what
they do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big
yellow 110v 750va site transformer.

Yes - they're actually better value than domestic units if you compare
these prices at the sort of current you require.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...mer/index.html

They're even cheaper at tooled-up.com
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp...nsformer-750va

Price isn't a concern, it was just the size of the thing really.


I was hoping there would be an easier way, but I suspect not, since the
power goes straight to the stator (?) on the motor. I guess in order to
convert the unit, one would have to re-wind the motor (which I will not
be doing!)

I take it there isn't a 230 volt version?

Unfortunately not. This particular unit is widely regarded as 'unique' and
the best out there for getting your cars paintwork looking nice. (It's a
Porter Cable 7424). My uncle, a bodyshop professional, tends to disagree,
saying that a DA is a DA, and a professional would use a regular buffer and
have the job done in under half the time. I bought it already though

A new motor supplied as a spare would probably be cheaper than
re-winding. It's possible the motor is used in other equipment too.

That did cross my mind.. I wonder if the motor has any markings. Hmmm


What about these small solid state voltage convertors? I seem to
remember reading that they don't alter the frequency of the AC. I
wonder the same about the 110v yellow-box site transformers - are all
these other users running their units at 50Hz instead of the expected
60Hz?

They are just simple transformers so don't alter the frequency, which
would be an expensive option. Site transformers in the UK are used for
safety - not to save money by importing better value tools. ;-)

But most hand power tools won't be too concerned about the frequency.

That's good to know! Thanks.

"Carl Farrington" wrote
in message ...

snip my own post..

Thanks everybody for the feedback. A yellow box it is then! It's good to
know for sure that the triac is a bad, and dangerous idea.

Thanks for your time and valuable advice.

Homer J Simpson wrote:
"Carl Farrington" wrote
in message ...

There are many users of this exact unit over here in the UK, and what they
do is to cut off the US plug, fit an industrial plug and buy a big yellow
110v 750va site transformer.

Use of the transformer is required by UK law. Buy a smaller transformer or
rent one.

which law would that be then?

wrote in message
oups.com...

which law would that be then?

UK