Think you'll find that it's more than 10 volts difference between ordinary domestic socket outlets in UK and US. However, if you check the detailed spec of the charger, you may find it rated for both supplies anyway.
B
Besoeker
Some wound components (e.g. chokes and transformers) might not work correctly at 50Hz.
G
Guest77
The 10 volts bit is no issue, most of our kit is designed to work at 220 volts which is what power outlets operate at in the states, it is 110 for lighting by the way, they have 2 phases in homes there, and power is wired in 2 phase which is 220 volts, the 60 hz bit will be more of a problem, the kit will not last as long as it will be under different fluctuations regarding AC current and the cycles we build kit here to run on, it should work but will not last as long IMO.
G
Guest77
What charger is that then :biggrin: I don't doubt the kit will work, just saying at 50 hz kit designed for 60 will not work as efficiently as 60 hz, thats all I'm saying, TVs which are designed for 50 hz can get pictures not as clear on 60 hz from memory.
G
Guest77
I will have a look sometime, as I said before, I am not suggesting it will not work, I know I am right though regarding efficiency :biggrin:
G
Guest77
I think the point is whether the kit from the USA is designed to work at a frequency between 50-60 hz like the makita kit, we build high frequency lights here don't we which are designed to work at a higher frequency to allow lighting to operate without the flickering of 50 hz, whether the kit the op is refering to will work efficiently we will not know unless he posts up some information.
S
Silly Sausage
Aye, you're right there laddie.
Just checked my Makita charger, 220-240V 50-60Hz.
It's just a glorified rectifier really.
G
Guest77
That is the word I was trying to think of regarding TVs, I know some TVs a few years back had to have rectifiers fitted if the frequency wasn't to our spec, today they well may be different, I expect if the Makita kit is 50-60 then possibly the USA kit may be as well so the OP should be okay.
U
urbanmonkey
Builder I've been working with brought over all his power tools from the states when he came here, all work fine, think he uses his core drill on 110v but all the chargers work for the rest of it work as normal. The gear is alot cheaper but if you are buying over the interweb the postage probably won't make it viable.
shipping isnt that expensive from usa, i bought some stuff and with £30 shipping it was still a hell of a lot cheaper
B
Besoeker
G
Guest77
You are quite correct, it is 120 volts and 240 volts not 110 and 220 which is what I said, apologies and thanks.
For some types of kit the frequency is very important, but power tool chargers perhaps not. Many use a line-voltage switched-mode circuit that might have been designed in such a way that incorrect frequency would result in incorrect output, but in reality it wouldn't have made sense for them to do so.
What might deserve consideration is the single-insulated zip cord that often turns up on US-made chargers in place of insulated and sheathed flex on EU versions. It's heavy-duty insulation but I have met people who don't accept it for site use, and I'm not very keen on it either.
What might deserve consideration is the single-insulated zip cord that often turns up on US-made chargers in place of insulated and sheathed flex on EU versions. It's heavy-duty insulation but I have met people who don't accept it for site use, and I'm not very keen on it either.
Thanks for the replies folks. I was toying with the idea about buying one of the Makita kits, 9 or 10 tools. I suppose I could just buy a UK charger, but from what some of you are saying it would work anyway. I would just cut the plug off and put on a 110 volt one.
Be prepared to pay the duty on the item.
From memory 20% of item and shipping cost plus a fee that I can't remember.
You may get lucky and not end up paying it but it's a gamble and you wont get the item until the customs charge is paid.
dont forget its on what hmrc decide the value is.
i have bought aa £1.50 shavvete from korea
cost £10 shiping and £15 import
I'm with Lucien, basic switch mode circuit designs will inherently tolerate wide ranges of supply frequency but that doesn't always apply. If the charger has CMOS control for adaptive or multi-stage charging it's possible the clock and sync is taken from supply frequency which might be an issue even with a 10Hz difference. I strongly suspect that sometimes manufacturers deliberately design chargers to reduce this wide frequency (and voltage) tolerance in order to create geographical zones where they can apply different pricing structures similar to how a DVD is region coded. In a nutshell there's no blanket rule, I'd just take cordless tool chargers on a case by case basis.
A
Adam W
I remember someone telling me about some fancy multi-region hairdryer designed for travellers - it had a voltage selector switch to select between 110v and 230v. Anyway they took it apart to perform some maintenance on it and the switch wasn't connected to anything, it just didn't get as hot when it was used on 110v. The switch was just a gimmick.
I expect most electricians have at some point had a discussion about whether it's possible to put a 110v commando plug on the end of a 4 way extension lead so someone can use their phone charger/battery charger/radio on site.
I expect most electricians have at some point had a discussion about whether it's possible to put a 110v commando plug on the end of a 4 way extension lead so someone can use their phone charger/battery charger/radio on site.
some things are like that.
some electronics that used to have a voltage selector switch on the back do it automatically now.
nothing like seeing someones face when it was set to 120 and they put 230 dowm it lol.
P
PEG
I don't think your allowed to say that,Tel,they are now,just the same as you or me,special in their own way,deserving of respect,like all men...:icon12:
B
Besoeker
Doesn't it also have eight testicles..............
Oh wait, maybe that's tentacles or something.........
No, you had it right: eight testicles require eight tentacles
yeah, but all the really hot girl '------- have got sixteen.
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