Hi all
I'm thinking of getting a 110v transformer for use on a vehicle restoration project. Looking at a couple of catalogues they tend to vary from 750VA to
6300VA, what would you guys recommend for basic DIY use, mainly to run an angle grinder (approx 900W)Thanks
Jim
On Mon, 3 Sep 2007 23:44:31 +0100, "Jim" mused:
I've got a 1.5KVA 110V transformer that lives in the van and has done for about 5 or 6 years. Only ever managed to trip it when the circular saw jams. It's happily run jigsaws, routers, grinders, circular saws, drills etc... The reason the 1.5KVA one lives in the van is that it gets carted around a lot so it was chosen for it's weight, not too heavy but has enough capacity in it to run most tools.
If I was going to get one for sticking in oine place and maybe moving occasionally I'd get a 3ish KVA one.
I have a 3kVA one that lives mainly in the workshop. That will run just about anything (and indeed a couple of things at a time in most cases). I would not want to lug it about all the time though. (I also have to take care not to plug it in too near the CU in the workshop, otherwise the inrush current will trip the 20A MCB!)
For vehicle work, chances are you will not be using big 2kW angle grinders, so the smaller 1.5kVA ones may work out ok. I would expect a
750VA to be too restrictive though.
If you're thinking of safety wouldn't an RCD be safer still? And give a larger choice of tools?
I've got a great transformer. I bought it years and years ago and haven't seen them since. It's possible someone still makes them but a quick search turned up nothing.
It was bought from Hilti and it's a 2.2kVA toroidial transformer. It is about a third the size of a conventional 1.5kVA unit and weighs a fraction of the amount - in fact the carry strap is fabric. The whole unit is the same thickness as the 110V socket itself.
If anyone does know if these are still made, I'd like to know.
Steve
Make that toroidal, not toroidial!
On Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:52:32 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)" mused:
Could use an RCD AND 1:1 isolation transformer.
On Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:54:48 -0700, stevelup mused:
Like these?
I wouldn't mind one of those.
Whether the rcd would have any effect depends on how you wire it wrt the transformer, before or after.
NT
That's exactly like the one I've got except mine is 2.2kVA. They really are extremely handy.
Well found!
Steve
It was more tha fact that 110v tools seem to come up fairly regularly on ebay and much cheaper than the 240v equivalent
Cheers
Jim
The last 3kVA transformer I got from ebay for £25 IIRC....
Postage included or pick up only?
Adam
£8 extra for postage thinking about it... (was still cheap in comparison to similar products from the normal suspects though)
I suspect that most of them are ex building site or van, and perhaps not entirely legitimately acquired by the sellers ;-)
Owain
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