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Thread ID: 34001	2003-06-01 07:11:00	Moving a Computer Overseas	kimchi (3918)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
148992	2003-06-01 07:11:00	Hello! I am moving to Canada from New Zealand and am wanting to take my pc with me (minus monitor, keyboard, etc.) Do I need to get a new/different power supply? Or is it alright to just use an adapter? Cheers!	kimchi (3918)
148993	2003-06-01 07:53:00	Yep, maybe new power supply required. NZ is 230Volt where Canada is 110Volt. Just check the label on the power supply and see if it specifys 110/230 OR there is a switch on the power supply that says 230 and can slide to show 110 (ENSURE POWER IS UNPLUGGED FROM WALL FIRST).	Pheonix (280)
148994	2003-06-01 07:53:00	most power supplys have a switch on the back to change voltage from 230 volts to 110 volts or vice versa. Just remember to change it or else it will blow :( cheers Steve	Steve Askew (119)
148995	2003-06-01 09:23:00	"Just remember to change it or else it will blow" ?? Will it really blow Steve? I imagine if one attempts to power a 230v PSU with 110v, it just will not work. But there is another issue for the traveller in Canada in addition to switching the input voltage of the PSU. The wall sockets are different. They consist of is 2 flat pins arranged vertically, below which is a round earth pin. An adaptor, or rewiring a Canadian plug will be necessary.	Bazza (407)
148996	2003-06-01 09:28:00	ive seen em blow. loud hum,big bang,bright flash,bad smell and a fair bit of smoke.	metla (154)
148997	2003-06-01 09:48:00	> Will it really blow Steve? I imagine if one attempts > to power a 230v PSU with 110v, it just will not > work. > > But there is another issue for the traveller in > Canada in addition to switching the input voltage of > the PSU. > > The wall sockets are different. They consist of is > 2 flat pins arranged vertically, below which is a > round earth pin. An adaptor, or rewiring a Canadian > plug will be necessary. Well Bazza if you want to take the chance of not changing the voltage switch good luck to Ya ;) As for the plug pins just give them a twist with a pair of pliers. I did the same on a stereo purchased in singapore years ago. Cheers Steve	Steve Askew (119)
148998	2003-06-01 09:51:00	Thats interesting metla. Did you observe this, while having the opportunily to power a 230v PSU with 110v. Thats what we are considering. Seems to be an unlikely possibility in NZ, but I'd be glad if you can explain how this causes a "loud hum,big bang,bright flash,bad smell and a fair bit of smoke." As you have "seen em blow", I hope from your experience of power supplies, you can enlighten me.	Bazza (407)
148999	2003-06-01 10:01:00	Haha, Steve, I did not suggest not changing the PSU input voltage switch, only that it would not necessarily "Blow"..of course that is the sensible thing to do. But it's not as easy as twisting the pins with pliers, as you did on the stereo from Singapore.. There also is an earth pin which in Canada is a round pin below the 2 vertical pins for phase & neutral. Cheers..	Bazza (407)
149000	2003-06-01 11:09:00	Well now, as we all know, the first thing the 240 volts meets in a psu is a step-down transformer which probably drops the AC voltage to around 20 volts prior to rectification to DC. However, some psu's are able to accepts a range of voltages, say from 110 to 240, without altering any input voltage switches. If you're lucky your pc is fitted with the latter but probably it isn't. There are step-up transformers available which will convert the 110 volt supply to 240 volts avoiding any alteration to your psu. I don't advise trying the pliers-trick with the mains plug, again conversion plugs/sockets are available from lotsa electronics retailers (try Jaycar or Dick Smith). Whatever else you do please disconnect your pc from the mains supply before investigating. Good luck & when the time comes have a ball in Canada.	Garibaldi (3838)
149001	2003-06-01 11:17:00	easiest way is to change the PSU. if there's a switch at the back use it. i switched it to the USA one and used in NZ - it blewed up!! fortunately was under warranty. modem may need a cable converter this is where it plugs to the wall ..	nomad (3693)
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