Jump to content

Use Elinchrom 1000ws 110v/60Hz Strobe in Europe (220v))


ilya_p

Recommended Posts

<p>Hi Forum,<br>

this is no new question. I've been reading other posts but i only get more confused.<br>

I have this 4-5 years old Strobe: Elinchrom 1000R (1000ws)<br>

<strong>There is a label on it: 110V ~60Hz 693w Fuse: 6.3 AT</strong><br>

All i need is to take it to Europe (220v/50hz) and shoot there mentaining the recycling time.<br />(I have a vagabond II but i want to use the flash from the wall)<br>

I've learned that "watt seconds" are not "watts" and people suggest buying a step down converter<br />like one of <a href="http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/step-down-transformer.html#vod10000-10,000wattsstepdowntransformer-cecertified">These</a> from www.voltage-converter-transformers.com or similar pages.<br>

they range from 50 to 10.000w<br>

Which one should I buy. Is the labled 693w the watt value ?<br>

since some devices spike when you turn them on its recomended to leve headroom. but how much ?<br>

do i buy this one:<br>

VOD 750 - STEP DOWN VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER</p>

<ul>

<li> 750 Watt maximum capacity heavy-duty continuous use transformer </li>

<li> Converts single phase 220/240 Volts down to 110/120 Volts </li>

<li> Compatible with both 50Hz and 60Hz</li>

<li> Built-in fuse protection </li>

</ul>

<p>Reading other Peoples Posts I did not understand what this "true sine wave" was about. Do i need and inverter instead of a stepdown?<br>

could anyone just point me to the product that i need to buy so that my strobe does not blow of and works save for its euopean future ?</p>

<p>thanks a lot !!!</p>

use

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>The VOD 1000 should be more than good enough, the inrush current should be ok with a 1000 watt continuous capacity and probably ok with the VOD 750 as well, what is the wattage of the modelling lamp? The 693 watts is the input power, which should include the modelling lamp.</p>

<p>Stepdown transformers are true sine wave, as the mains input is. Don't worry about that with one of these transformers.</p>

<p>You need a step down transformer.</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p><a rel="nofollow" href="../photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00S5UQ">http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00S5UQ</a></p>

<p><a href="../photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00XNeF">http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00XNeF</a></p>

<p>Transformers just transform the same form or wave of voltage into higher or lower level.<br />In your case from 220 VDC to 110 VDC step down transformer (or auto-transformer) is needed for American voltage flash in Europe.<br />Transformers preserve true sine wave, but only if they operate in the linear portion of the magnetic core saturation curve. That is, if there is significant sustained excessive overloading of the transformer, chances are that could possibly result in distorted (clipped) voltage output shape.</p>

<p>Due to low average power needed even by 2400 Wattseconds flashes, it is safe to use transformers from about 350 Watts plus the value of modelling lamp, and up. If your installation in Europe is of permanent nature than you should install at least a 500 Watts stepdown transformer (plus power needed for modelling lamp). For occsional use a smaller transformer should work.</p>

<p>Pure sine wave is impornant since <strong>the flash capacitor is always loaded to the PEAK component of the supplied power shape voltage.</strong> E.g. in pure sine of 220 VAC, the PEAK value is about 220 * 1.4 = about 310 Volts peak value. If flash capacitor is rated at max voltage about 330 VDC, then any higher peak components of the voltage would load the capacitor to higher voltage than nominal, most likely resulting in destruction of your flash.</p>

<p>Perhaps your flash uses other voltage, e.g. 500 VDC to 2000 VDC, then the same idea about pure sine wave applies, just at a different voltage level.</p>

<p>Most good semiconductor DC-to-AC voltage converters generate sine wave using elaborate semiconductor circuits. Make sure they say PURE SINE WAVE. Some DC-to_AC converters skim of electronics, and generate "MODIFIED SINE WAVE" that has usually higher voltage spike components that a flash could be in danger. Those converters are good for heaters, electric motors, power drills, and other industrial devices that do not use much of electrionics.</p>

<p>Gasoline engine powered rotating voltage generators do gerate pure sine wave, (notably some from Honda), due to the rotating nature of generating components that follow the Sine Wave output.<br />However, those devices, when overloaded, or have excessive mechanical vibrations, can also produce distorted sine wave, while they should not! So, in all cases, overloading of a device could generate spikes or shapes killing flash capacitors.</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>The "Elinchrom" is a European company product, right? Are you planning on a long-stay overseas (where the power is 220V? You may want to contact Elinchrom and see if you can get a trade-in for a like-unit that will plug directly into the wall where you are going. Or perhaps rent a couple of European-market units once you get to your destination? Working with American voltage equipment and step-down transformers can be tiring after a couple of hours....and you may need a back-up, second step-down unit just in case the primary one decides to stop working.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

 

<h1></h1>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>I'm with Ellis. Rent an European unit when you get there. The recycling is even faster than a US unit on a transformer.</p>

<p>If you go with a transformer, I'd go in the entire opposite direction Frank S. recommends. The 1000 or the 1500. 683W is the "average" (and I use that loosely) during the charge cycle. The inrush is close to 15 amps, and you said you want to preserve your recycle time. That means a transformer that stays reasonably unsaturated at that sort of current. A 300W transformer will make for a longer recycle time, and it will also buck a lot of harmonic content into the AC mains, even more than the flash's own rectifiers. Go one large unit, rather than 2 small ones, because the 1000s weigh 18 pounds each, the 2000 is 28 pounds, so you save 8 pounds. It's even worse if you want to allocate 1500W to each unit. A single 3000 is 33 pounds, the 1500s are 22 pounds each, so a pair is 11 pounds heavier.</p>

<p>Remember, by the time you add up a $70 3000W transformer and the extra baggage charges it takes to get that 33 pounds to Europe, you could be up over $120. That makes rental look even more attractive.</p>

<p>And, unfortunately for Frank U.'s approach, most Elinchroms can't be easily rewired to a different voltage. They typically have other differences in the charging circuit aside from the choice of half-wave and full-wave rectification. The lamp controller in particular. Personally, I can't imagine anything that could be changed from 110 to 220 with just a couple of contact changes not having a switch, but electronic companies are weird...</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...