ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi all,
I have just moved from the US to the UK with these units, purchased new in 1999. As they are US units, they are set up for 110V. Can anyone advise on how to convert them for use on 240V?
Many thanks
The cheapest way is to get a 240/110 transformer. I am certain they can be converted to 240v but no idea of cost.
The Beolabs aren't too difficult; you need to cut a couple of traces on the transformer PCB and solder in a couple of jumper wires (originally the circuit board has everything connected - at the factory, they just cut a few places according to the target voltage). These points are described in the service manual. As I'm an idiot, I don't think I took a single photo of the process
Having this done for the Beolabs makes sense, as they need more power and having bulky transformers at each speaker isn't too convenient. The Beosound might be easier to set up with a step down transformer, I have no experience with converting that. According to the service manual, the US 120V version of the Beosound seems to have a different transformer and even a different part number for the power supply module, so it might not be cost effective to convert it.
--mika
tournedos: The Beolabs aren't too difficult; you need to cut a couple of traces on the transformer PCB and solder in a couple of jumper wires (originally the circuit board has everything connected - at the factory, they just cut a few places according to the target voltage). These points are described in the service manual. As I'm an idiot, I don't think I took a single photo of the process Having this done for the Beolabs makes sense, as they need more power and having bulky transformers at each speaker isn't too convenient. The Beosound might be easier to set up with a step down transformer, I have no experience with converting that. According to the service manual, the US 120V version of the Beosound seems to have a different transformer and even a different part number for the power supply module, so it might not be cost effective to convert it.
Interesting comment on the Beolabs. Do you have any idea how hard it is to convert Pentas or Beolab 1's? I ask because it's rare to find BL 1 on thos side of the pond at all, and most of the Pentas are very rough. Here being USA.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Jeff:Interesting comment on the Beolabs. Do you have any idea how hard it is to convert Pentas or Beolab 1's?
Well... no
I could take a look in the service manuals on site, but I try to avoid commenting the difficulty of things I have never done nor seen myself.
Even for the 8000s, the actual conversion is the easiest part. All the work is getting the speaker open and struggling with the dampening material, which after 10+ years closely resembles something you could make by taking pieces of plastic foam and cooking them overnight in glue and black paint.
Many thanks for the advice. I will try this out.