Home Electrical Question - 110/220 Volts

[Lotsokids]

I found a nice Samsung home entertainment system (sound only - receiver & speakers), but it's a 110-volt system. The power output is 600 watts. I have a converter at home to convert my 220 volts to 110 volts, but will this sound system be too much for it to handle? I have a converter in another room for our U.S.-purchased treadmill and it pops the converter's fuse when the treadmill's setting is over 6 MPH.

I'm obviously not too savvy with electrical.

Thanks in advance...

[pdxfj]

You'll be fine.  The 600 watt rating is likely just the "peak" power rating and you'll never get anywhere near that unless you put in ear plugs and run the system at 100% volume. I'm guessing your step down converter is rated at 10-15 amps?

The treadmill draws more because the electric motor is a much heavier load on the system.

As a comparison I'm in a house that was built in 1946 that still has the original fuse panel and wiring.  There is one 15A fuse to run most of the main floor.  In the living room my TV and assorted audio gear draws a fair amount of juice but I haven't popped a fuse yet.  I can get the fuse to pop if I turn on all the A/V equipment and lights, then run the vacuum cleaner for a few minutes.

Perhaps someone who has had coffee this morning and is more awake can explain things better than me..

[rktmanfj]

You'll be fine.  The 600 watt rating is likely just the "peak" power rating and you'll never get anywhere near that unless you put in ear plugs and run the system at 100% volume. I'm guessing your step down converter is rated at 10-15 amps?

The treadmill draws more because the electric motor is a much heavier load on the system.

As a comparison I'm in a house that was built in 1946 that still has the original fuse panel and wiring.  There is one 15A fuse to run most of the main floor.  In the living room my TV and assorted audio gear draws a fair amount of juice but I haven't popped a fuse yet.  I can get the fuse to pop if I turn on all the A/V equipment and lights, then run the vacuum cleaner for a few minutes.

Perhaps someone who has had coffee this morning and is more awake can explain things better than me..

I hope that's not a knob and tube set up... not sure when they actually quit doing those.

Randy T
Indy

[racerman_27410]

amps = watts divided by volts.

so if your stereo is 600 watts then it will require a 220/110 transformer capable of handling a 5.45 amp  load

the amp rating should be marked on the transformer.


KOokaloo!

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Frank is correct.

sounds like a test question I give my students.

[racerman_27410]

Frank is correct.

sounds like a test question I give my students.

oh behalf of the band i hope we passed the audition!


Kookaloo!

[Travis398]

everyone gave the answers before I could take the test, do I get a make up exam?

[pdxfj]

Thankfully it's not a knob and tube setup, but is the old cloth wrapped wiring with no ground.  Very hard to work with since the insulation over the wires is very brittle and falls off when you disturb it.  Anytime I've had to do something to disturb the wiring I have to coat the wires with liquid electrical tape and then as an extra safety measure I go over the wires again with heat shrink tubing.

If I can manage to buy the house this year the first thing that will be changed is the electrical.    A 60+ year old 100amp service isn't quite enough to run a geeks house.

[RichBaker]

He said power output is 600 watts, I'm assuming that's what is going to the speakers.....  There should be some printed specs on the back, near the power cord, that give the AC current draw of the unit. That is the spec he needs to know for the converter.... For instance, a quick google to Samsung shows that their 800W system uses 60 watts AC, which is 0.5 Amp.
Therefore, I would expect the 600W system to draw ~1/2 an Amp, not much....

[rktmanfj]

Thankfully it's not a knob and tube setup, but is the old cloth wrapped wiring with no ground.  Very hard to work with since the insulation over the wires is very brittle and falls off when you disturb it.  Anytime I've had to do something to disturb the wiring I have to coat the wires with liquid electrical tape and then as an extra safety measure I go over the wires again with heat shrink tubing.

If I can manage to buy the house this year the first thing that will be changed is the electrical.    A 60+ year old 100amp service isn't quite enough to run a geeks house.

BTDT... the "crack home" had new 200amp service and new wiring throughout.

The place was dumpy, but all the stuff worked great.

Randy T
Indy

[Travis398]

the "crack home" had new 200amp service and new wiring throughout.

all the stuff worked great.

Randy T
Indy

are you referring to the grow lights?

[rktmanfj]

the "crack home" had new 200amp service and new wiring throughout.

all the stuff worked great.

Randy T
Indy

are you referring to the grow lights?

Not for another three years...     

[carsick]

the "crack home" had new 200amp service and new wiring throughout.

all the stuff worked great.

Randy T
Indy

are you referring to the grow lights?

Not for another three years...     

Uh... statute of limitations?

[carsick]

everyone gave the answers before I could take the test, do I get a make up exam?

That's right Travis, finally a question you're qualified to answer and you're nowhere to be had! Better luck next time.

[oldktmdude]

 You'll have to stop riding the FJ on the treadmill or at least keep it under 6mph.