Autopians in the UK with a PC

G

gez

New member
Hi Guys,



I finally received my PC from Proper Autocare which also consisted of a PC! Now i need a step down transformer to get the thing to work. I do remember on member who mentioned of a step down convertor from Maplins, who was it???



Kind regards



Gerry
 
Get in touch Steven (Lowejackson) or Jim Kerfoot (Vindaloo). Both should be able to give you any info regarding the PC that you may need :).
 
Gez,



Forget that idea, that transformer is only rated to supply 150 watts.



Your PC is more like 400 watts!



Might be an idea to contact them and see if they can point you in the right direction...They obviously have a contact for such products.



thanks

Bryn
 
To power my PC, I bought an industrial transformer which is the kind of thing used on building sites, which for health and safety reasons use 110v. These can be bought new for between 40 - 60 pounds. The downside is you will need to find some way of connecting the PC socket to the transformer socket. If you have some basic electrical knowledge or you know someone who does, this would be easy. I cheated and cut off the American plug and attached an industrial one. There is a posting somewhere, where some company sells the transformer with the correct sockets.



Places like Machinemart all sell these tools, keep an eye out for second hand ones as well. There are a lot of places which sell these things.



http://www.diy.com/bq/category/category.jhtml?CATID=166904



http://www.toolsnextday.ltd.uk/Transformers/transformers.htm



Steven
 
I bought the transformer from Screwfix and bought a plug (buy at the same time otherwise it becomes a very expensive plug). Chopping off the US plug might seem a bit drastic but since the transformer has a dual outlet it means that I can always plug something else in as well.

Interesting point to bear in mind is that you should plug the transformer into the wall and then run extension leads to the tool and not extension leads to the transformer.



One of these days I will do that :o and also buy the backing plate and some pads so that I can start using the darned thing seriously!



The link to the products
 
...Or you could just ask me for an old transformer and I'd give you one later this month when I leave to go back to the U.S.



Suffolk is probably the world center for transformers with all the Yanks living here in the US Mil, I can't swing a dead cat without hitting one in my house.

I could at least put you in contact with someone who could provide one for a very nominal charge (5-10 GBP) with a UK plug and 1-2 U.S. Style outlets. Problem would be posting the thing, they're phenominally heavy in the larger sizes...



Magic
 
Mine is made by Newmarket Transformers Ltd +44 1271 879300. www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk (look under American/Autos)

It is a 1KVA in a box with UK 13A plug & 2 US style 110 sockets. It cost £46.50 + tax in a box or £35.00 + tax for a 500 watt (which should just be OK). Cheaper & more practical than the plant hire type trannies.
 
vindaloo said:
Mine is made by Newmarket Transformers Ltd +44 1271 879300. www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk (look under American/Autos)

It is a 1KVA in a box with UK 13A plug & 2 US style 110 sockets. It cost £46.50 + tax in a box or £35.00 + tax for a 500 watt (which should just be OK). Cheaper & more practical than the plant hire type trannies.
Click to expand...

But the 3KV Screwfix one is £47.42 incl VAT and free postage - plus £1.20 for the UK style plug...
 
Seems to be a really expensive game!!!

I would be worried about support should anything ever break down.



Surely a rotary would be a better option for us brits?
 
Not if we want to keep the paint from burning lol. Another good thing about using the PC is that it can be used for polishing and waxing whenever we want. A rotary is too fast and creates too much heat.
 
I think that learning to using a rotary properly would be both more beneficial and cost effective in the long run.



Plus, I've already got one...Thank heavens for the resource that is Autopia...May I never burn my paint work again!
 
There is a lot of information here on using a rotary. I would go to the local scrap yard and buy some panels to practice on.



There are equlivent machines to the PC in the UK, they just tend to be very very expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top