1500 Watts Step-Up Down Voltage Converter

[OsWiZzLe]

I was thinking about buying the new Lumatek 1000 watt digi ballast but its 220v...could I use this device and plug the ballast into this device then plug it into my 120v outlet?

 

[Guest]

I'd like to see the transformer,but if its a step down voltage converter 240 to 120V then yes it should be OK.

 

[Guest]

I'd like to see the transformer,but if its a step down voltage converter 240 to 120V then yes it should be OK.

One of us has been smoking too much LOLOLOL!!

It sounds like his ballast needs to run on 220VAC. Therefore the 1500Wtransformer need to be a step up xformer. Is it? Or is it a xformer made to step down 220/230VAC to 110/115VAC.

Obli

 

[cocktail frank]

transformers can do either way man.
is it not possible to make the plug 220v?

 

[Guest]

transformers can do either way man.
is it not possible to make the plug 220v?

Yes they can. However, it depends on how the primary and secondary windings are terminated. Does the fellow know what we are talking about? And does he have the skills and wherewithall to change the terminal hardware on either/both sides if he needs to?

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

it WILL work, but for how long...
you should get the 120 version instead, that many wattages sounds like id burn up a steping converter...if not then its going to use more electricity in the steping process.... might not last aslong as the warranty says....
extra cost for this thing is also atlarge.
good luck

 

[GOT_BUD?]

One problem you may to run into is that you are limited to the amperage of the wall outlet, which is going to go down as your voltage goes up (Ohm's law). Since you are trying to essentially double your voltage, you'll effectively halve your amperage, which may prevent you from running your light.

 

[cocktail frank]

1000w ballast is around 5 or so A.
aslong as he can pull 10A off 120, he should be cool.
but if you haven't even bought the ballast yet, dont be a tool.
get the 120v one.
some people like to do things the hard way i guess.

 

[Guest]

Yea your right obli,I got my windings crossed.Like obli says,dont use the secondary windings as the primary,its retarded.Use the correct transformer if you're going to use one.

 

[Kyle]

I have pretty much the same set up, but opposite. I have 220v at the socket and the 3 outlets in the bedroom are hooked up to a 20amp fuse. I was originally running two 600w, fans, pumps, and airstones for about a month.. I think my KILL A WATT said it was around 1500w and I was using a 2000w "step down" transformer. I read somewhere that 75% of the load is safe. Well it ended up poping the fuse in the transformer and the circuit break 20a fuse. I ended up just buying a 3000w transformer and never had any problems after that. Another great think is that since I am at approx 50% load, IT DOSN'T GET HOT!!! The smaller one at 75% load got so hot, you couldn't touch it.

>> SO SPEND A LITTLE EXTRA $$$ AND BE SAFE. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME <<<