Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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?

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.

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.

Thanks for the information guys.