Electricity conversion abroad - how to do it safely with US audio equipment?

[Manozi]

Hey guys,

Going to South America on a remote gig this summer and I've some electricity conversion questions (bear with me if these are too basic

I am going to Argentina and Brazil, where the power is 220V.

I am bringing the following equipment that would need to be plugged in:

-Audient ASP008 preamp - rated for 105-125V - power consumption = 40W
-Apogee Ensemble - rated for 100-240V - pc = 40W
-MacBook Pro - reted for 100-240V - pc = around 50w?
-HP Laptop - rated for 100-240V - pc = 65W
-Seagate external drive - 100-240V - pc = no idea...anyone?

I am told that for the Audient I would need a step-up transformer since it is only set to operate to 105-125V. All the others would be fine with plug changers only since they can operate on the higher voltage already. Am I correct in assuming this?

If I get a step-up transformer with 4 inputs, can I plug in some of the other units (that don't need a transformer since they can handle the higher current) into the transformer as well, and have only one plug (the transformer's) going to the wall? Would this damage them? Essentially I want to use it as a power strip - only one, that's capable of transforming the voltage so it can accommodate the one unit (Audient) that can't operate on the higher voltage on its own.

I've been told that Furman makes a power conditioning unit that acts as a step-up/down transformer as well, but I could not find anything on their site. Anyone know anything about this? Since it would be more convenient to carry the transformer in a rack, it seems like an interesting idea...

Finally a question about the wattage capacity of step-up/down transformers:

I've seen a number of units with different wattage ratings - from 50W to 2500W - the way I understand this is that you take all the units that would be plugged into the transformer and calculate their total power consumption in watts. If that is within the transformer's operating range, it's safe. Is this correct? I don't want to blow anything up

I'd appreciate any feedback - I'm trying to figure out what to buy/bring so I use my money/luggage space in the most efficient manner.


Thank you!
-Manol

[videoteque]

Buy one transformer and plug only the Audient in it.

[John Willett]

Have you checked that the Audient isn't switchabe internally?

Sometimes it's just a matter of mofing a fuse on a PCB.

It's cheaper for a manufacturere to make just one version as two versions costs more money - but to keep costs down it is often done internally.

It's worth it to check - especially as it could save you the cost of a transformer.

[Manozi]

Hey John,

I haven't checked about the internal switching.
I'll have to look into that.

Thanks for the input!


-Manol

[mosaik]

I dont know where in Brazil you are going, but here in Rio its mostly 110 volts. Just thought i'd let you know.

[Manozi]

Hi Soma,

Yes, I'm aware that Brazil has a few different standards, one of which is 110-125V or so.

We're doing 3-4 concerts in different parts of Brazil - one is in Rio de Janeiro actually.

Either way, I'll still need the transformer for Uruguay and Argentina.

Which brings me to another thing - on this page:

Electricity around the world: everything about plugs, sockets, voltages, converters, etc.

it says that Brazil has 127V and 220V

If the voltage is 127V and my Audient covers 105-125V - would it be safe to operate at 127V? Would the 2V difference matter?


-M

[Remoteness]

Equipment is designed to handle about +or - 10% of the normal operating voltage.
Most gear is good up until 130V AC; After that beware!