Tech: US Electronics in UK

Subject: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 06:13 PM

O.k.. I suspect I already know the answer to this one, but confirmation from some Catters will set my mind more at ease...

Here's the tale...

A chum of mine, a fiddle player, has been invited over to the UK to sit in on a gig or few with some chums he made last time he was over... These days he's running his fiddle through an LR Baggs Eq peddle... XLR line... 9 volt battery... you know the drill...

His peddle is gonna be o.k plugged into a sound board in the UK right? The voltage difference that exists isn't gonna be a problem? Peddles/Eq's/Pre-amps in the UK all run off the same kinda 9 volt tech that is used in North America right?

???

:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 10:20 PM

Don't everyone answer at once o.k...

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 10:48 PM

For the sake of giving you a reply...

I think the only problems exist where looking at differences in mains voltage. UK 240V 50hz. Canada 120v 60hz?

I can't give a difinitave answer but I'd be very surprised to learn there is any problem with the type of issue you raise.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: mack/misophist
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 12:27 AM

Guest is probably right. Get a good voltage adapter (he should have gotten one in the us) and all should be well.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 01:28 AM

No voltage adaptor in this equasion mephis...

I'm talking about running the peddle off a battery...

This thing is to be plugged into the sound board with an XLR calbe, not into the wall with a power cable...

Didn't I say that before?

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: pavane
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:30 AM

A 9v battery is 9v everywhere!

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 08:39 AM

Sound levels into a mixer will be the same for nearly anywhere in the world. The sensitivity of an XLR imput will be adjustable from MIC to LINE levels via the gain control on the mixer. You should have no problems at all.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Grab
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 12:24 PM

Clinton, everything should be the same. The levels will be fine.

Assuming the 9V battery in question is a PP3 like the ones on the right of the two pictures on this link, he should be able to get new ones over here too. I'd be very surprised if batteries were different sizes, since most FX pedals (which take 9V batteries) are made in the US.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 03:56 PM

"A 9v battery is 9v everywhere!" et. al

That's zactly what I figured, but I thought I'd ask, just to be on the safe side... I'll tell my chum to go, and plug in with impunity!

Ta fer the feed back folks!

;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 06:12 AM

The system will work fine.

FWIW, however, when the fiddler with whom I played in Florida came over here at New Year she brought her radio pick-up system with her which requires 110 volts.

I supplied a transformer, but the system wouldn't stop emitting an annoying hiss, so eventually she had to play unplugged. Not a problem, she is pretty loud.

I attributed the problem to the cycle difference in UK electricity, 50Hz (UK) as opposed to 60Hz (US). But of course I could be totally wrong.

Murray

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:18 AM

Two extra twiddles.

I don't know if phantom power is an issue - as for condenser mics. This is usually not a nationality but an age issue - modern phantom power is 48 volt but it wasn't always.

Second, if you have a low powered device (like a preamp) you should be able to get in your home town, an inverter, to power say a mains TV off a car battery. The inverter will produce the right voltage and frequency, (same as local mains) within limits. Most inverters the frequency and voltage are both affected if you take too much power.

When you get to your destination, borrow a car battery or a SMOOTHED 12 volt power supply and then you use that to power the inverter.

Don't try it with power amps.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:39 AM

If you do need to power low power/voltage items over here the UK, it's probable cheaper and easier to buy a "battery eliminator" unit over here - you can get a 350ma one for less than £5. They usually have settings for 3,4.5,6,9 and 12 volts and include all the most common jack and power plugs.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: nickp
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:45 AM

Dave that's true but as Richard says get a smoothed or regulated supply - it'll cost a bit more than your £5 but not too much. Any good music shop should be on the ball.

Subject: RE: Tech: US Electronics in UK
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 10:20 AM

Old 9 volt Batteries never dies but they charge less for them -

bring a few spare batteries just to be sure but you can get pp3 (or is it 9) most places.