5000 Watt Voltage Converter $110 on Woot

[wow]

Not sure how long it will be up, but here's the link:

http://tools.woot.com/offers/5000-watt-converter-transformer-3?ref=cnt_wp_6_13

Pyle PVAR5000 5000 Watt AC 110/220V Step Up and Step Down Converter Transformer
$110.99 $422.99 74% off List Price

Converts 110/120V to 220/240V or converts 220/240V to 110/120V - Item Dimensions: 14.76 Inch H x 15.55 Inch L x 10.43 Inch W
5 outlets located on front (outlets accept 3 or 2 prong US plugs and 2 prong Euro/Asian plugs)
Voltage Converter/Transformer with Stabilizer, good for countries with unstable voltage supply

Edit: And a 3,000 watt version:

Pyle PVTC3000U Step Up and Step Down 3000 Watt AC 110/220 V Converter Transformer
$69.99 $255.99 73% off List Price
Heavy duty metal casing and durable design, Easy to carry with attached handle
On/Off switch with indicator lamp

For any of you wanting to run US tools on EU power, or vice-versa.

 

[SittingElf]

Thanks for the heads up Wayne! [big grin]

I was going to wait until I get back in August to find a Step-up Transformer for the Vacu-SYS, and KA65. This unit definitely meets the need, and at a great price.

Ordered yesterday, and received tracking info today.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Wooden Skye]

It said sold out when I clicked the link.  I am not familiar with this, but I have a question or 2.  So with this, if you have a dust collector or other tool that is wired for 220v, by plugging into a 110v outlet in shop, you can run the tool in question?  How is watts compared to amps?  If a tool is rated at 13 amps at 110v, but 7 amps at 220v, how would you know if the 3000 or 5000 watt unit is needed?

 

[wow]

It said sold out when I clicked the link.  I am not familiar with this, but I have a question or 2.  So with this, if you have a dust collector or other tool that is wired for 220v, by plugging into a 110v outlet in shop, you can run the tool in question?  How is watts compared to amps?  If a tool is rated at 13 amps at 110v, but 7 amps at 220v, how would you know if the 3000 or 5000 watt unit is needed?

Watt's = Volts x Amps, so the dust collector listed above is about 1500 watts.

If you have a unit that can be wired for either 120 or 240, the watts will be the same regardless.

 

[Wooden Skye]

It said sold out when I clicked the link.  I am not familiar with this, but I have a question or 2.  So with this, if you have a dust collector or other tool that is wired for 220v, by plugging into a 110v outlet in shop, you can run the tool in question?  How is watts compared to amps?  If a tool is rated at 13 amps at 110v, but 7 amps at 220v, how would you know if the 3000 or 5000 watt unit is needed?

Watt's = Volts x Amps, so the dust collector listed above is about 1500 watts.

If you have a unit that can be wired for either 120 or 240, the watts will be the same regardless.

Thanks for the explanation.  I may have to consider this going forward.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

............ how would you know if the 3000 or 5000 watt unit is needed?

I was going to comment on this topic several days ago when it was started. I regret not doing that now.

The maximum power you can get from a 20-amp, 120-volt outlet is 2400 watts. Therefore, when used as a step-up transformer, there is nothing gained by getting a larger transformer than 2400 watts. You cannot get more than 2400 watts at the output. Which at 240 volts is 10 amps.

The reason why I didn't forewarn people about this earlier is because the 5000 watt transformer still has value to those woodworkers stepping down from 240 to 120 volts. A 20-amp, 240-volt outlet will provide 5000 watts of power. This is also true after conversion down to 120 volts. It will give you up to 40-amps at 120 volts.

P.S. If it isn't clear from the advertisement, there is a selector on the back of the transformer that you change, depending on whether you plug it in to a 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet. That is why/how it can be either a step-up or step-down transformer in one.

 

[Wooden Skye]

............ how would you know if the 3000 or 5000 watt unit is needed?

I was going to comment on this topic several days ago when it was started. I regret not doing that now.

The maximum power you can get from a 20-amp, 120-volt outlet is 2400 watts. Therefore, when used as a step-up transformer, there is nothing gained by getting a larger transformer than 2400 watts. You cannot get more than 2400 watts at the output. Which at 240 volts is 10 amps.

The reason why I didn't forewarn people about this earlier is because the 5000 watt transformer still has value to those woodworkers stepping down from 240 to 120 volts. A 20-amp, 240-volt outlet will provide 5000 watts of power. This is also true after conversion down to 120 volts. It will give you up to 40-amps at 120 volts.

P.S. If it isn't clear from the advertisement, there is a selector on the back of the transformer that you change, depending on whether you plug it in to a 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet. That is why/how it can be either a step-up or step-down transformer in one.

Rick

Thanks for further clarifying.  So as long as the piece of equipment was rated at 240v and 10 amps or less then a step up transformer would run the machine by plugging into a standard 120 volt outlet?  Or am I still wrong and should forget the whole idea?

Bryan

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Yes Bryan. It will run anything less than 10 amps at 240 volts. That limitation is from the 120 volt supply outlet, not the transformer.

The point I was making is that you (and unfortunately SittingElf) wouldn't need to spend this much money for 5000 watts when it could only deliver half its rated power. Granted, for 5000 watts, it is an excellent price. For most hand tools, a 1000, 1500, or at worst 2000 watt transformer will suffice. I have a 1000 watt transformer for testing some European tools.

 

[wow]

To further muddy the waters, you need a transformer that is AT LEAST as big as the power draw of your tool. So in the example above of a 2400 watt tool (either 120 V @ 20 amps or 240 V @ 10 amps) you'd want at least a 2400 watt transformer. In this case the 3,000 watt on I listed would work just peachy, even though you'd only draw 2400 watts through it.

If you're doing a step-up (120 -> 240) voltage application, make sure your 120 Volt outlet is on a 20 amp breaker with nothing else connected to the circuit. Otherwise, you won't be able to deliver full power to your 240 Volt tool.

 

[Wooden Skye]

Yes Bryan. It will run anything less than 10 amps at 240 volts. That limitation is from the 120 volt supply outlet, not the transformer.

The point I was making is that you (and unfortunately SittingElf) wouldn't need to spend this much money for 5000 watts when it could only deliver half its rated power. Granted, for 5000 watts, it is an excellent price. For most hand tools, a 1000, 1500, or at worst 2000 watt transformer will suffice. I have a 1000 watt transformer for testing some European tools.

Rick

Thank you.  If I do purchase, then I think I would cap at 3000 watts, but when I look closer at specific items, maybe 2000 would work.  Obviously their is no need to spend the extra money for for 2600 watts that wouldn't be used basically.

Bryan

 

[SittingElf]

Just to clarify....

Because this transformer will be used to power my Festool Edge Bander and the Festool Vacu-SYS... the total wattage draw using both at the same time will be around 1450w maximum. So the transformer IS overkill but the price on this unit was virtually equal during the sale to much smaller units available on Amazon and elsewhere, so no foul regardless, and more capacity if needed.

And, in the future, if I have a need to draw more wattage with some unknown tools or other equipment, I can just up the breaker to a 30 or 40 amp. The other advantage is a much cooler operation of the transformer that has this potential power capability. Anyone who has ever used transformers knows they get HOT when nearing maximum draw. (And they like to blow internal fuses as well!!! I went through a lot of fuses in Germany!! [blink])

Cheers,

Frank