Is it possible to convert a 220V Fostex 4030 to 110V?

S

seankerns

Member
Hi all,

I recently bought a large lot of Fostex sync gear. I bought it because of a couple of pieces I needed, but it also included two 4030 synchronizers. Problem is, they're UK 220V/50Hz units. Now, I can put them back up for sale, maybe someone in the UK needs one or two. But, I could use a spare. I have one working 4030 now, but if I could convert one of these UK units to US, I'd have a spare, and I could sell the other.
Has anyone done something like this with a UK piece of Fostex gear? I see on the power supply, there are a bunch of wires going to unlabeled terminals. My thought was maybe reconfiguring some would change the voltage. If it needs a different power supply, it would probably not be worth the trouble.

Thanks!
 
In the extra stuff I got, I've got an 8786 interface for an 85-16b, and the 8750 interface to lock to a Sony VO-5800/5850 VCR, if anyone has a need for any of that.
 
As long as the units don't use the mains frequency as part of their synchronization clock, I suspect you could meter the voltages at the output of the power supply and come up with something. It's probably not simple, but it's probably not impossible.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
As long as the units don't use the mains frequency as part of their synchronization clock, I suspect you could meter the voltages at the output of the power supply and come up with something. It's probably not simple, but it's probably not impossible.
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Thanks! It occurred to me that I could open up the 110V model that I've got, and compare what's going on inside. If it were as simple as reconfiguring some wires on the terminals, I'd try it. If it gets much more involved, 4030's are pretty cheap.
 
The transformers can have a provision to be reconfigured for 110 or 220. There should be like 5 wires to the output transformer. They can be moved to different tabs to change the current path through the coil. The Output Coil is set up in parallel. Some are able to use the tabs that use half of it. Changing half of 220 is 110. I would contact Fostex and talk to a tech who knows the unit.
 
LazerBeakShiek said:
The transformers can have a provision to be reconfigured for 110 or 220. There should be like 5 wires to the output transformer. They can be moved to different tabs to change the current path through the coil. The Output Coil is set up in parallel. Some are able to use the tabs that use half of it. Changing half of 220 is 110. I would contact Fostex and talk to a tech who knows the unit.
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Yes, it has the five wires to screw terminals on the "out" side of the power supply. I'll see if I can get info from Fostex, or if not, I'll open up the US one I have and see if I can see the difference.
 
The service manual should address this. It's usually on the mains side where you make the change not the side that drives the power supply. Typically transformers that can be adapted for region are going to have two primary windings, and you wire them in series for 240 and parallel for 120. It's probably a 120-120:18-0-18 transformer. You could also just get a 240-120 transformer from a travel store, if the plug is also different. That's what I'd do it's less work.
 
Blue Jinn said:
The service manual should address this. Usually it's changing wires on the primary side. Do you have any kind of test equipment, like a multimeter and a signal generator? It's usually on the mains side where you make the change. Typically transformers that can be adapted for region are going to have two primary windings, and you wire them in series for 240 and parallel for 120. You could also just get a 240-120 transformer from a travel store, if the plug is also different. That's what I'd do it's less work.
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The plug is different, but I'm okay swapping that out. I do have a multimeter. Unfortunately, I don't have a service manual, and haven't been able to find one online.
 
Buying a transformer is not actually something found on the shelves in UK shops - We have issues with type approval on these things so while they can be bought, they're specialist device to be legal. There are products available on ebay and from China, of course.
 
Also, they don't look cheap, from what I've found today. Seems like stepping down to run 110 gear in a 220V outlet seems cheaper and easier than the other way.

If I can find an easy (as in swapping some wires around) way to convert one of these to run on 110, I'll do it. Otherwise, I'll just put them up for sale, in case someone in the UK needs them.
 
Having opened a 220V and 110V version of the 4030 next to each other, I can see that although the rest of the inside looks the same, the actual power supply, which is a standalone piece, is quite different between the two. So, I think the answer to my original question is that no, it is not just a matter of swapping a couple of wires around on the power supply to change a unit from 220V to 110V operation. In other words, I'll put the 220V units I have up for sale, and see if someone in the UK can use them.
 
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