While travelling in the Caribbean I plugged a combination CD/cassette/radio
portable stereo into what appeared to be a normal 110V ac outlet. The
digital radio dial lit up with the frequency of the last FM station that I
listened to. Not bothering to tune in a station at the time I turned the
unit off. Later that evening my girlfriend tried to play a CD, however the
boom box gave no indication whatsoever that it was receiving power. Even
though it no longer works, it brought it back to the States with me. By any
chance am I likely to find just a blown fuse or some other easy repair?

Thanks.

John

"Redlocks" writes:

While travelling in the Caribbean I plugged a combination CD/cassette/radio
portable stereo into what appeared to be a normal 110V ac outlet. The
digital radio dial lit up with the frequency of the last FM station that I
listened to. Not bothering to tune in a station at the time I turned the
unit off. Later that evening my girlfriend tried to play a CD, however the
boom box gave no indication whatsoever that it was receiving power. Even
though it no longer works, it brought it back to the States with me. By any
chance am I likely to find just a blown fuse or some other easy repair?

It's possible. Only way to know will be to troubleshoot it. It's unlikely
anyone has a schematic so it will be a matter of going inside and tracing
the wiring, measuring voltages, etc.

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

Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive
traffic on Repairfaq.org.

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
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contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

"Redlocks" wrote in message
.net...
While travelling in the Caribbean I plugged a combination
CD/cassette/radio
portable stereo into what appeared to be a normal 110V ac outlet. The
digital radio dial lit up with the frequency of the last FM station that I
listened to. Not bothering to tune in a station at the time I turned the
unit off. Later that evening my girlfriend tried to play a CD, however the
boom box gave no indication whatsoever that it was receiving power. Even
though it no longer works, it brought it back to the States with me. By
any
chance am I likely to find just a blown fuse or some other easy repair?

Thanks.

John



Probably burned out the primary of the power transformer, if it has a single
(or fairly common) secondary(s) then you shouldn't have too much trouble
finding a suitable replacement. It might have a thermal fuse embedded in it
that blew, you may be able to get in there and replace that too.

"Redlocks" wrote:

}While travelling in the Caribbean I plugged a combination CD/cassette/radio
}portable stereo into what appeared to be a normal 110V ac outlet.

Normal as in 110 volts, yes...but Jamaica is 50 Hz, not USA 60 hz.

}By any
}chance am I likely to find just a blown fuse or some other easy repair?

So maybe the power transformer overheated...try testing both primary
and secondary for continuity.

Stan.

[CUT]

Those portable stereos do have a simply transformer. It in many cases have
only one secondary which usually is about 8 VAC @ 20-30VA. Yeah, simply
transformers (no switching) can overheat and burn when used to a different
HZ frequency
DANGER : You may ask for the tension/frequency of the state U are going.
Examples :
AMERICA/CANADA (excluding South America) 110V @ 60HZ
NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ
in south america there isn't a standard, in most of cases there are 117vac
or vdc, or 110vac, or 220vac @ 50 or 60Hz.
Check before !!!!

Inti

"Stan®" wrote:

}[CUT]
}
}Those portable stereos do have a simply transformer. It in many cases have
}only one secondary which usually is about 8 VAC @ 20-30VA. Yeah, simply
}transformers (no switching) can overheat and burn when used to a different
}HZ frequency
}DANGER : You may ask for the tension/frequency of the state U are going.
}Examples :
}AMERICA/CANADA (excluding South America) 110V @ 60HZ
}NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ

????

Are you saying that somewhere in the state of New York the power at home
wall outlets is 600V @ 400HZ?

If so, cite reliable references please.

Stan.

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 14:08:01 GMT, "Stan®"
wrote:

NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ

Where is that? Nowhere is that voltage/frequncy available to the
general public.

"Gary J. Tait" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 14:08:01 GMT, "Stan®"
wrote:

NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ

Where is that? Nowhere is that voltage/frequncy available to the
general public.

And the standard household voltage is 120v 60 Hz, not 110v.

"Stan" wrote in message
...
"Stan®" wrote:

}[CUT]
}
}Those portable stereos do have a simply transformer. It in many cases
have
}only one secondary which usually is about 8 VAC @ 20-30VA. Yeah, simply
}transformers (no switching) can overheat and burn when used to a
different
}HZ frequency
}DANGER : You may ask for the tension/frequency of the state U are going.
}Examples :
}AMERICA/CANADA (excluding South America) 110V @ 60HZ
}NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ

????

Are you saying that somewhere in the state of New York the power at home
wall outlets is 600V @ 400HZ?
The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
present under the ways, in the subway ! Search in the RepairFaq of Sam
GoldWasser

Intiglietta

"Stan®" wrote in message
...

The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
present under the ways, in the subway ! Search in the RepairFaq of Sam
GoldWasser

What does the subway use it for?
--
N

"NSM" wrote in message
news:fkTKd.165578$KO5.111246@clgrps13...

"Stan®" wrote in message
...

The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
present under the ways, in the subway ! Search in the RepairFaq of Sam
GoldWasser

What does the subway use it for?
--

Probably the subway train itself, I remember reading that the light rail
system in Portland, OR runs on 600V, it's likely a standard for electric
trains.

I seriously doubt it's available at any sort of receptacle in the subway
system accessible to the average person, that would be a dissaster waiting
to happen.

"James Sweet" writes:

"NSM" wrote in message
news:fkTKd.165578$KO5.111246@clgrps13...

"Stan®" wrote in message
...

The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
present under the ways, in the subway ! Search in the RepairFaq of Sam
GoldWasser

What does the subway use it for?
--

Probably the subway train itself, I remember reading that the light rail
system in Portland, OR runs on 600V, it's likely a standard for electric
trains.

I seriously doubt it's available at any sort of receptacle in the subway
system accessible to the average person, that would be a dissaster waiting
to happen.

Here's what the International Power FAQ actually says with respect to
voltage and frequency. I'm not sure how it got garbled the way it is
above:

"This relates to what comes out of the wall socket. Nearly every country in
the world uses an AC voltage between 90 and 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz. There may
be some exceptions (like 600 V at 25 Hz powering portions of the New York City
subway system or 28 V at 400 Hz on board an F-18 - but this is not something
you are likely to need to deal with!) - if you encounter such unusual
situations, we will be happy to add them to this document!"

The only other references to 400 Hz state that switchmode power supplies
may accept a frequency up to 400 Hz or more.

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

Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive
traffic on Repairfaq.org.

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

"Stan®" wrote:

}"Stan" wrote in message
...
} "Stan®" wrote:
}
} }[CUT]
} }
} }Those portable stereos do have a simply transformer. It in many cases
}have
} }only one secondary which usually is about 8 VAC @ 20-30VA. Yeah, simply
} }transformers (no switching) can overheat and burn when used to a
}different
} }HZ frequency
} }DANGER : You may ask for the tension/frequency of the state U are going.
} }Examples :
} }AMERICA/CANADA (excluding South America) 110V @ 60HZ
} }NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ
}
} ????
}
} Are you saying that somewhere in the state of New York the power at home
} wall outlets is 600V @ 400HZ?
}The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
}present under the ways, in the subway !

OK...since the original post was about boomboxes failing when plugged
into non-USA standard wall sockets, perhaps manufacturers should put
a warning label on them, telling users not to try to power their boomboxes
off the live rail of a subway system.

Stan.

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...

What does the subway use it for?

Here's what the International Power FAQ actually says with respect to
voltage and frequency. I'm not sure how it got garbled the way it is
above:

"This relates to what comes out of the wall socket. Nearly every country
in
the world uses an AC voltage between 90 and 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz. There
may
be some exceptions (like 600 V at 25 Hz powering portions of the New York
City
subway system or 28 V at 400 Hz on board an F-18 - but this is not
something
you are likely to need to deal with!) - if you encounter such unusual
situations, we will be happy to add them to this document!"

The only other references to 400 Hz state that switchmode power supplies
may accept a frequency up to 400 Hz or more.

That makes more sense. Planes use 400 Hz to save weight. Some of the old
Niagara alternators were 25 cycle. But I can see no reason for 600 Volt 400
Hz for any part of the subway system. That'd be weird.
--
N

(Stan) writes:

"Stan®" wrote:

}"Stan" wrote in message
...
} "Stan®" wrote:
}
} }[CUT]
} }
} }Those portable stereos do have a simply transformer. It in many cases
}have
} }only one secondary which usually is about 8 VAC @ 20-30VA. Yeah, simply
} }transformers (no switching) can overheat and burn when used to a
}different
} }HZ frequency
} }DANGER : You may ask for the tension/frequency of the state U are going.
} }Examples :
} }AMERICA/CANADA (excluding South America) 110V @ 60HZ
} }NEW YORK SUBNET 600V @ 400HZ
}
} ????
}
} Are you saying that somewhere in the state of New York the power at home
} wall outlets is 600V @ 400HZ?
}The 600V @ 400Hz isn't available for home standard contracts. It is only
}present under the ways, in the subway !

OK...since the original post was about boomboxes failing when plugged
into non-USA standard wall sockets, perhaps manufacturers should put
a warning label on them, telling users not to try to power their boomboxes
off the live rail of a subway system.

Yeah, then some idiot will try it just to see what happens!

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

Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive
traffic on Repairfaq.org.

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

NSM wrote:
That makes more sense. Planes use 400 Hz to save weight. Some of the old
Niagara alternators were 25 cycle. But I can see no reason for 600 Volt 400
Hz for any part of the subway system. That'd be weird.

Many of the rail systems are reliant on extremely old (first half 20th
century) infrastructure. I think, for example, the overhead
electrification in the northeast US was an odd setting (possibly 12kv?)
until like the 1970s, replaced with a common industrial voltage
(possibly 25kv?) Also, Grand Central Terminal still serves locomotives
over 40 years old (the FL9s) and the corresponding third-rail
electricity must remain compatible.

The 400Hz's odd; ISTR there were some DC fittings in New York.

NSM wrote:

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...


What does the subway use it for?


Here's what the International Power FAQ actually says with respect to
voltage and frequency. I'm not sure how it got garbled the way it is
above:

"This relates to what comes out of the wall socket. Nearly every country

in

the world uses an AC voltage between 90 and 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz. There

may

be some exceptions (like 600 V at 25 Hz powering portions of the New York

City

subway system or 28 V at 400 Hz on board an F-18 - but this is not

something

you are likely to need to deal with!) - if you encounter such unusual
situations, we will be happy to add them to this document!"

The only other references to 400 Hz state that switchmode power supplies
may accept a frequency up to 400 Hz or more.


That makes more sense. Planes use 400 Hz to save weight. Some of the old
Niagara alternators were 25 cycle. But I can see no reason for 600 Volt 400
Hz for any part of the subway system. That'd be weird.

Hi...

Man, flashback... flickering lightbulbs, you could
watch the filaments dance

The subways were built way back in the olden days, before
our current disposable attitudes. Maybe they just stuck
with 25 cycles to continue to provide a use for the old
generators?

And of course 600 volts is a bit more efficient distribution
system, so perhaps that's part of it.

Finally, the theft of hydro is a bit of an issue these
days... stealing a *lot* from a subway system would
hardly be noticeable... so, perhaps 600 volts is just
left in place to discourage theft? Kinda thinking that
120 doesn't bother me a bit; go to 240 and I'll be real
careful; at 600 it's one strike you're out...

Ken

"Jack Zeal" wrote in message
...
NSM wrote:
That makes more sense. Planes use 400 Hz to save weight. Some of the old
Niagara alternators were 25 cycle. But I can see no reason for 600 Volt
400
Hz for any part of the subway system. That'd be weird.

Many of the rail systems are reliant on extremely old (first half 20th
century) infrastructure. I think, for example, the overhead
electrification in the northeast US was an odd setting (possibly 12kv?)
until like the 1970s, replaced with a common industrial voltage
(possibly 25kv?) Also, Grand Central Terminal still serves locomotives
over 40 years old (the FL9s) and the corresponding third-rail
electricity must remain compatible.

The 400Hz's odd; ISTR there were some DC fittings in New York.

Back home some of the old elevators used to run off the DC for the street
cars. I'm sure they've all long since been replaced.

N

"Ken Weitzel" wrote in message
news:Io%Kd.213179$6l.27981@pd7tw2no...

And of course 600 volts is a bit more efficient distribution
system, so perhaps that's part of it.

Finally, the theft of hydro is a bit of an issue these
days... stealing a *lot* from a subway system would
hardly be noticeable... so, perhaps 600 volts is just
left in place to discourage theft? Kinda thinking that
120 doesn't bother me a bit; go to 240 and I'll be real
careful; at 600 it's one strike you're out...

Or as we say, "One flash and you're ash"!

N