12v DC to240v AC to 110v AC

[ian murray]

I am wanting to run a usa knife sharpener 110volts AC in an Australian car. Is there a problem using an inverter 12v DC to 240 vAC and then a transformer from 240 to 110 AC? I am advised the sharpener needs a min of 120W and the inverter I have supplies 200W

 

[WDMDL]

Should work... Make sure that if it's an autotransformer you use, that the common tapping is connected to the neutral side (which should be connected to car chassis by the inverter)
Otherwise instead of having 110 and 0 volts relative to car chassis, you will have 240 and 130 volts.
You will still get 110 volts to run the sharpener - it's just not as safe as you may think!

Oh and if it's an AC motor in the sharpener, the motor will run at 83% of normal speed, as the inverter will be 50Hz, the sharpener will be designed to run on 60Hz.

It's likely cheaper to get a 110V 60Hz inverter....good old ebay etc...

Simon.

 

[Engineer54]

Yes and no... Yank stuff runs at 60Hz while European and Aussie stuff runs at 50Hz. It shouldn't however cause that much of a problem in your case. The biggest problem, is the cost of the inverter and transformer is probably far more than the knife sharpener!! Far better to buy a knife sharper in what ever country your resident in!!

 

[Cyberprog]

Why not get a Yank 12V DC Inverter from the states, or see if you can find a dual voltage inverter that's designed for both markets