Converting Laney from 220 to 110

jamesvwaal · Post by **jamesvwaal** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:32 am

I recently purchased a Laney VC30-112 amp overseas where I live and work. Of course, it uses a 220-V power source. When I return to the USA some years down the road, will it be feasible to convert the amp to use a 110-V power source? Easy or difficult to do? Cheap or expensive?

toneman · Post by **toneman** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 9:35 am

I would check with Laney to see if there is a tap or wires you can switch on the tranny inside the chassis to go from 220 to 120. If not, maybe they can sell you a mains tranny for U.S. voltages. Or buy a step-up tranny for the amp when you get here.
Most expensive option is buying a new 120v tranny. Step-up tranny's are around $40.-$50.. Cheapest is to see if there is a way to re-wire the tranny to work on 120v.

philco · Post by **philco** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:44 am

Yeah, checking the rewire option is the best if you can do it. There are usually two primaries that are wired in series for 220-240V operation, then they are switched to parallel (observe proper phasing) for 110-120V operation. If there are only two primary wires, then this possibility doesn't exist for you.

I wouldn't drag an extra stepup transformer around with me. A Hammond power transformer would probably be an upgrade over what came as OEM. One for my Heathkit amp cost $70 delivered from Angela Instruments, and it was a bit of an upgrade with extra filament current. Hammond makes so many standard trannies for tube amps, that one is sure to fit. www.angela.com is a good stocking dealer for Hammond transformers.

jamesvwaal · Post by **jamesvwaal** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 3:02 am

Thanks for the information guys.