120V To 240V Conversion (Easy!)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- In This Video:
I briefly explain the operation and usage of an auto transformer. I use its properties in an additive polarity configuration to boost my mains voltage to 240VAC! This is a really easy thing to do for the electronics hobbyist as microwave oven transformers are really common. The autotransformer used in the video is also rather compact for its apparent power.
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The heater in question is the Patron model E9 and thanks for your indepth explanation
As said above, ensure your supply can handle the current before you embark on the transformer design.
I have a machine that is 240 volts and 30 amps single phase. Would your set-up work with that machine?
why does it sound like a bull horn?
if you cut the core, how does the inductance go around?
Hey I'm trying to make a 220v litchenberg wood burner. Is it ok to use the metal part of the transformer connected to the ground wires? Or is that not ok with this type of transformer. I don't want to blow anything up. Lol
Can this setup be used as a 220v to 110v output
Will work for US products in Philippines?
How much amp?
I really need to find one of these for SHTF use for a water well pump that is 240. I have a solar system with two deep cycle batteries. My family lives a few hours away but if SHTF then gas for generators will become scarce as well. They have water but won't have the means to bring it up without 240. I believe my inverter could handle a small amount of use to power this since most pumps that I see are down around 6 amps. Any constructive advice, as well as a source for this type of transformer would be greatly appreciated. I used to wire houses as well as electronics background so I understand the concept of this video.
Same here.
My old school days taught me this,
Take two identical 1:1 isolation transformers,
Connect the two primaries of transformers in PARALLEL, and the two secondary windings in SERIES.
Note, both primary coils must be in the same orientation I'd fuse each connection in case you got I'd backwards.
Also, might consider a rotatory solution, 120v motor turning 240v motor or generator, maybe a rewired car alternator
Good luck
These are definitely potential solutions, however one must keep in mind that whichever system is implemented must handle the large inrush current during motor startups. A 6amp 240VAC motor will draw ~60A during startup. Your inverter must be capable of supporting such a transient load otherwise it will simply trip out/fault. Assuming one is using a 120VAC inverter means that the inverter must support ~120A during inrush. Even further down on the DC/battery side, this inrush current increases again to ~1200A! (on a 12V system). Make sure the inverter you will use for this is a Low Switching Frequency inverter. These are much better suited for high inrush loads.
KF5HCR has mentioned some possible solutions. Bear in mind that a 6amp 240VAC motor will draw ~60A during startup. Your inverter must be capable of supporting such a transient load otherwise it will simply trip out/fault. Assuming one is using a 120VAC inverter means that the inverter must support ~120A during inrush. Even further down on the DC/battery side, this inrush current increases again to ~1200A! (on a 12V system). Make sure the inverter you will use for this is a Low Switching Frequency inverter. These are much better suited for high inrush loads.
Was looking into utilizing on 120VAC generators where there isn't an option to use both coils for max current capabilities of the 120VAC design capabilities, and as another portable way using a step down transformer, making a higher current MOT step down transformer versus buying. Thinking for example a 13A breaker'd 3200W continuous portable generator with two 120VAC windings rated 1600W each in order to obtain ~25A/3200W total from one 120VAC outlet. The switched dedicated circuit on the generator design isn't an issue, though when reviewing I decided to research making a step down transformer from the 240VAC outlets 120VAC circuits. Any issues to consider if designing?
Ok I’m stumped. I have a 230v single phase motor with only black, white, and ground. How do I achieve 230v single phase from 120/240? I can’t simply land each of the two 120 phases on the black and hire wires, correct?
Technically the 240VAC you get from each 120V "phase" is still single phase. Just hookup the hots to the black and white lines and make sure to bond/ground the motor. Should work fine. 240VAC is almost always derived from two 120V lines or from a delta 3 Phase circuit (not applicable for you).
@@diy-or-die5700 right I was worried about it being a delta 3 phase. I’m calling the manufacture tomorrow to confirm power requirements on the motor.
If it was three phase you would have three conductors and a ground. You said it only had two therefore it cannot be a three phase motor.
@@diy-or-die5700 I meant to derive a true 240 to ground, or 240 to neutral. It would have to be a three phase service. I’m guessing you’re right though that it will accept 120 to ground, and just use the black and white conductor with each phase of the 120/240 service.
A high leg delta (240VAC) delta get can you 208VAC to neutral/ground. A 480VAC system can get you 277VAC to ground. I suppose with a corner grounded delta system one could achieve 240VAC to ground, but otherwise it probably isn't possible without some special transformer or supply. It won't be a three phase motor. You have two conductors and one ground. It cannot be run with 120VAC-GND as the ground NEVER carries normal load currents. It cannot be three phase because you need a third conductor. Therefore the motor is single phase 240VAC with a ground connection. Feed it any form of 240VAC you have available. It will run fine off that.
I have been saying that all time . U have done a great job
maguina.soldar.con.tramfolmador
Hi DIY-OR-DIE I have a 120 volt outlet and looking to make a 240 volt transformer to run a 9KV 240 V heater. The heater draws 25 or 37.5 amps
Firstly, have you considered that the maximum power you can continuously draw from a standard 120VAC outlet is 1500W or 1.5kW? I mean its definitely possible to design such a transformer however, I wouldn't think too much about it until I knew that my power source was able to meet my demands. Assuming you have a tapped heater with multiple power outputs (6kW @ 240V & 25A, and 9kW @ 240v & 37.5A), you would need a 120VAC source capable of supplying 75A of current with the heater on high! Typically in most situations, where powers are greater than a few (not even two) kW, a 240VAC source is brought to the load. If you do indeed have a power source capable of supplying that much current, then your next biggest issue is finding a transformer rated at 9kVA or more. That is going to be a pretty big core by the way (100+ lbs easily), it will also be expensive. The core rating will also differ in its requirements if you desire to power other loads, more specifically reactive loads rather than resistive ones. Hopefully this helps you out and give me a shout if you need more information.
I didn't understand why the N is not in the center terminal.
Would further insulation/spacing between the two primaries be a good idea to minimize the chance of a shortage?
I would keep a gap of a about 1/2 an inch or a centimeter between the two windings. Jumping an airgap in this case is not an issue/worry; the gap is to provide ample clearance between terminal connections merely to prevent shorts occuring from physical movement of the windings (magnetostriction, etc). Hope that helps!
Do you mean short circuit? A shortage is not the same as a short circuit.
A "shortage" isn't really a term used in electricity. A short or short circuit can occur anywhere in a circuit. Interwinding shorts can occur and while not causing a direct short, still affects machine performance by effectively changing the turns ratio and thus coil characteristics.
You could just import an MOT from the UK and stack the 240v winding on your standard 120v MOT with the secondary removed. It can be done the other way around too if you live in a European country, just don't hook the 120v winding to mains or you'll have magic smoke plume out of your transformer core
Very true, however at the cost of postage for a bulky item like that you may as well just buy a stepup transformer. The main reason people modify these is because it is either dirt cheap or free to do.
@@diy-or-die5700 yes, but MOTs can supply more wattage then your average 240 volt transformer sold commercially. The downside is, well it's heavy as all hell.
@@colerumpel MOTs can be easily surpassed in power output and efficiency by any decent mains power transformer. They are inefficient (have terrible core losses, bad winding losses, and operate at or near core saturation), have low duty cycles, and have purposefully high leakage inductance due to the fact they were designed to drive capacitive loads (uncommon type of load as nearly all loads are inductive or resistive). Even worse, many modern day mains MOTs have aluminum windings! Furthermore their typical operation is at or near magnetic saturation as a partial consequence of their undersized/minimal iron cores, again as an effort to reduce cost. Overall, they are lighter, cheaper, less efficient, and have worse continuous power output than most properly designed mains power transformers!
@@diy-or-die5700 I was thinking, and wondering about how the phases align correctly due to differences, multiple MOT's can be wired in parallel to increase the current capabilities. An oscilloscope with a current clamp would be handy to test each prior to wiring.
@@diy-or-die5700 After watching vid & making note of you pointing out your MOT is probably good for somewhere around a paltry 10A, then reading your comment here on your thoughts on MOTs in general, it compels me to ask: What sort of IRL places might one have a decent shot at finding some salvage/surplus/newoldstock/etc (i.e. cheap af) mains transformers? I'm just looking to be able to do what you've accomplished in this vid + having the capability of running it hard as well (hard, not hot!)
Hey! I want to make 220V to 110V Transformer for my Microwave. I saw many Diagrams but they aren’t 1000watts , all they are just 50,100,200 watts..
can you plz Give me the Diagram, or Guide me about the Turns of Coil and tha Guage of Coil for making Heavy Stepdown Transformer!
#ThankUu..
I'm assuming you're using a microwave oven transformer for this? What load is the transformer supplying? If the 1KW you mentioned is purely resistive, then be sure to have a 1KVA transformer, if the load has a reactive portion/a power factor, the the KVA or the apparent power rating must be more carefully considered. I can help you more after these questions.
If for bassman 300 pro 120v covert to 240 v can?
Hey, if i add a ballast in series with the primary coil and limit the input current, will it save my transformer from getting heat? i use my transformers to weld and they get extremely hot
You are correct in that it will limit the current flow in the primary side of the transformer. The downside of this is that the voltage will be divided between the ballast/inductor upstream and the primary coil of your transformer. The end result is that whilst you have reduced the current (and thus heating) of the transformer during operation, you have also reduced its input/output voltage and current, which in most cases is undesirable. The only way around this is to increase the # of turns on the primary to reduce the effects of core saturation and thus excess magnetizing current.
@@diy-or-die5700 Great advise! thanks
I want to step up 100v to 220v 0r 230v and I bought 110v to 220v step up transformer. Now I'm getting 198v out of the transformer. Please what should I do to get the out put voltage increased to 220 or 230v?
You need a transformer with a higher/custom turns ratio. How come your source is only 100VAC? That voltage isn't used anywhere, atleast for regular applications and loads. If you can't fix the low voltage issue, the easiest way to solve the problem is to buy a transformer with taps suited for or close enough to your voltage.
@@diy-or-die5700 japan 🇯🇵 use 100v usa 🇺🇸 use 110v here in Nigeria 🇳🇬 we use 220v. The step up transformer I'm using out but 204 volts. But on oning my Air conditioner, it drops to 180 volts ⚡😤😒😑
That's interesting I didn't know Japan used 100VAC. Anyways, I would definitely withhold from powering the air conditioner off that transformer as it will draw more current than it normally should due to decreased voltage; it will probably overheat. The poor voltage regulation of that transformer (204-180v under load) tells me it's either undersized or is of cheap construction. Just multiply the factory voltage and current ratings of the aircon and divide by 0.8 to get the VA or apparent power of the transformer with a 125% safety factor (derived from CEC). For example 220V @ 10A = 2200VA ÷ 0.8 = 2750VA -‐------‐>call it 3000VA or 3kVA because small transformers are typically sized in 1kVA increments. If you can't get one with taps not surprising) or with the right turns ratio use a 120-277V transformer. You're looking for a 100-220v transformer therefore the ratio is 2.2. 110-277 has a ratio of 2.31 which is the closest I can think of for a non exact match. If you were to use it you would get 230VAC out which, in addition to any voltage drops, should be fairly close and safe.
Nice!
Would this work to step down the voltage from a cheap VFD?
The VFD would have a max of 4-500hz and it produces a 3 phase output. But I only need one phase?
It should work fine assuming it is wired up correctly, and used at normal mains frequency. The transformer will start to complain if you run a motor above 60hz (the motor would too haha). I have used VFD's to drive motors through a 3 phase variac with no issues.
@@diy-or-die5700 Thanks a bunch! Not planning to drive a motor with it just need 120v out at a different frequency. I was told that mains transformers usually can handle a change in frequency up to about 500-1khz, but above that hysteresis becomes an issue.
I need to run my hv transformer at a slightly higher frequency to make up for a primary with less turns. From 105 down to 68 turns, I plan on using the new primary with a 10 turn secondary to get the same magnetic flux density. I will compare the old and new primary coils with a 10 turn secondary and adjust the frequency till the voltage output of the new one matches the old one.
Of course since the old primary is a normal MOT primary and my core window is large I measured voltages near and far from it then averaged them.
But wait, you won't have true 220/240 because it's not alternating sine waves, both waves are still in phase. Therefore a regular 240v rated appliance or load here in the states wouldn't run off this I believe.
To get two 120v sine waves out of phase you could use an electric motor spinning another 240 motor with a magnetic rotor.
(Maybe similar to a rotary phase converter...)
This is a misconception with the typical edison three wire system. Any single phase device will run off this transformer, HOWEVER, if the device needs a neutral and/or two split phases, the transformer will not be suitable. The summation of two sine waves with 180° separation will equal another sine wave with twice the amplitude and the same frequency; this math means any "two phase/split phase" motor are really just single phase motors. Of course multispeed motors or variable heaters may use 120/240 for different settings in which again this transformer won't work. Hopefully I make any sense haha.
Also rotary phase converters are used to convert single phase/split phase to three phase, which is another topic completely.
Can you obtain 120/240v split phase?
Like to run for exmple a 120/240 v mini split air conditioner like on a camper where you dont have 120/240 split phase
Yep! You can obtain 120V from the neutral connection to the end of the first "primary" coil, and 240V from the neutral to the end of the second "primary" coil. Hope that makes sense.
@@diy-or-die5700 Thanks. I mean obtaining 240v measured from 2 live lines without neutral. Neutral to L1=120v. Neutral to L2=120v and L1 to L2=240 thats what I need to know if is possible with the 2 MOT
Yes you can achieve this. I'll make a video instead of trying to explain it. Should be up in an hour or two.
Heres the video: th-cam.com/video/bFCbBw4b8OU/w-d-xo.html
can you use it 220v?
If you are talking about using it in a step-down configuration, then yes, you can use it like this. Just connect 220v across both the windings and get 120v off a midpoint tap between the two windings.
I am making these and selling them on etsy.
What about 240v to 120
Connect it to reverse
Ok felicitari
All you need to do now is put it in a wooden box and add a universal power outlet socket 😆
Bet that sucker is smoking in less then ten minutes judging from the sound
It gets hot like any MOT, but nothing near smoke or fire territory. The sound just has to do with how the core is constructed/fastened.
How can I get 440v from 220v?
With a step up transformer.
@@diy-or-die5700 can transformers be wired backwards to make them step up? I’m not having any luck finding a specific step up transformer. Also would it be better to step up the voltage before or after the VFD? I know after the VFD it would be 3ph so I’d need a 3ph transformer.
If you're going to power/control a motor with a VFD, first feed the VFD with the transformer, and then the VFD straight to the motor. There will be less technicalities to worry about. And yes, any transformer can be used in either a step up or step-down configuration. Oh also, if you cannot find that specific voltage, just step up to 600V and program the VFD to output the correct motor voltage (most decent drives can do this).