Changing Power Cables

[FuzzHead89]

I bought a Vox-combo from the US, and it had the standard US-power cable, which I switches with a eurpoean one. But now, my amp won't even turn on. Anyone knows what might be wrong?

 

[Braciola]

um, voltage.
US amps run on US voltage.
Does the Vox have a switch on the back to run on European voltage?

 

[FuzzHead89]

No, it does not. So I can't use it with an european power cable, then?

 

[Braciola]

No, it does not. So I can't use it with an european power cable, then?

I believe the voltage in Europe is 220 volts.
The cable is not the problem, the amp's transformer is only wired to accept US voltage of 110/120.

 

[Malcolm Irving]

The voltage in the USA is 120v. In Europe it is 230v. Hopefully it will have just blown a fuse somewhere, but it could have caused more serious damage in the amp.

For a long term solution - there could be a wiring change that can be done inside the amp, or you can get an external transformer to convert 230 to 120.

 

[FuzzHead89]

But both of them are apparently 250V...

 

[FuzzHead89]

Ok, I think I got it now... So that means that I have got to fix the voltage problem in the amp itself before I can use it here?

 

[Malcolm Irving]

Or, buy something like this:

http://livinginthepast-audioweb.co.uk/index.php?p=xfrmrvt386

The VA rating you need depends how much power the amp takes in from the mains - this might be stated on the back of the amp - but if you are not sure go for the higher VA rated unit.

 

[FuzzHead89]

OK! Thank you! Will check it out!

 

[Malcolm Irving]

Keep in mind that the amp may have been damaged by trying to run it on double voltage. I don't think it will suddenly start working when you do give it the correct voltage. If nothing else, a fuse will have blown. You may need a technician to take a look at it.

 

[ekkybedmond]

Ehm, hard to believe someone not knowing US voltage differs from ROCW

but hey, enough good advise was provided here already

 

[logdrum]

Ehm, hard to believe someone not knowing US voltage differs from ROCW

but hey, enough good advise was provided here already

Actually many other RestOf(the)CivilizedWorld uses 120V Japan Taiwan Canada and many countries have dual voltage

 

[old goat]

It's surprising to me how many consumer electronics products--stuff that uses a transformer already, like laptops, tablets, phone--are able to charge at either 110 or 220. But not your hairdryer (or your amp).

 

[J M Fahey]

Japan has 100V

Anyway that's not the main point.

fuzzyhead89 does not state what model Vox it is.

Most don't have dual voltage option, a few do.

Which one is it?

 

[FuzzHead89]

It's an AC4C1

 

[stinkfoot]

There's a label on the back that states which mains voltage it is designed for, and the amp doesn't seem to have a voltage selector (at least not one that the user can change). You'd need to take it to a tech and have it checked out - if you're really lucky, the mains transformer has a 230v input as well, and it's merely a rewire job + replace the mains fuse with the correct (for 230v) value. If not, you'll need to use a step-down transformer (like this one: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-230v-to-110v-300w-voltage-converter-vr05f). And the tech still needs to check it out, in case you damaged something when feeding it twice the mains voltage it was expecting.