Electrical people! need your help!

[danwk]

Ok... i have just received my UTH n thermostat from beanfarm for my first snake that i will be getting in a week's time.
I know that i will need an adaptor 'cause we have different types of plug pins but i didn't think of the difference in the electricity.
mine is a european style plug (230 V 50 Hz) while the heatpad and thermosat has an american type plug (120 V 60 Hz).
I really don't want to get another UTH and tstat. What can I do to make it usable?

Thanks

[dr del]

Hi,

I'm really not sure if you can.

What type of thermostat is it? I seem to remember proportionals being far more problematical when trying this.

I would phone beanfarm myself and see if they have any advice or if it would even be possible to exchange it for the correct equipment.


dr del

[littleindiangirl]

Ooo, tough. I think that the only way to get it to euro is to buy those travellers type of adapters that people buy to use their hair dryers and curlers over in europe, but I don't know how that deals with the actual voltage. Probably need a transformer.

I hope that helps a wee bit!

Like this:
http://www.traveloasis.com/eurplugadkit.html
http://www.boxwave.com/products/plug...ug-adapter.htm
http://goeurope.about.com/cs/electri...lectricity.htm

[littleindiangirl]

Lol, duh, you already know you need the adapter pin.

Ok, well, then you'll need a transformer to step down the output. The first website I linked to had transformers and converters.
http://www.traveloasis.com/forvol.html

[danwk]

thanks dr del, Im using an on/off thermostat.

anyways, im goin down to an electrical shop tomorrow to hopefully find a solution.

wow.. i feel so stupid. why didn't i think of the voltage differences. i thought it was only a different plug.

[danwk]

thanks littleindiangirl!

so a transformer is what i need! will look for 1 tomorrow. Is it safe for long term use?

[ctrlfreq]

Check the documentation on your particular thermostat. Often there will be both 120v and 240v hookups, since we have 240v circuits on this side of the pond also.

[Schlyne]

There's a fairly large difference between the voltages and frequency. You definitely need a converter.

I would keep on eye on your converter as far as long term use goes..you don't want it overheating...but it should get somewhat warm with normal operation. That probably doesn't help much..just check it periodically.

[danwk]

i will be using a on/off thermostat so the UTH won't be on all the time. when the thermostat is 'off', will the transformer continue to burn the same amount of power it does when its powering the UTH and possibly overheating or will it go easy on the electricity?