USA to UK conversion problem

[stag]

Hi

I have an American pedestrian walk light unit that I want to run on UK domestic mains.

The current spec is:

Rated Voltage: 120 AC, 60Hz
Power Consumption: 9 / 7
Volt - Amps: 9.5 / 7.2

I've asked several people for advice and I've received responses ranging from 'it's easy - all you need is a domestic appliance transformer' to 'you'll need a very large transformer (as seen on building sites)'.

Please help!

stag

 

[vernam616]

Something like this ?
USA and Canada to UK Step Down Transformer Adaptor allows use of 110v to 120v USA Equipment in UK 30 VA .. Wiring Accessories .. Power Supply Adaptors ..

 

[telectrix]

it's 1.2kva. not a big tranny. jiust need to determine if the equipment will run on our 50c/sec.

 

[mogga]

wouldnt it be easier to convert the guts to UK spec guts ballast ect as american spares may be hard to comeby @ bnQ

 

[Engineer54]

It never ceases to amaze me, why these people KNOWINGLY purchase appliances that have a completly different supply requirement to that found in the UK. The conversion transformers often costing the same as the small appliance, and sometimes even More!!

Very strange!!! ....lol!!

 

[mogga]

it may be for a film set or not available in uk BTW If your converting mind n take UK regs, appliance stuff into account

 

[Knobhead]

What's an American pedestrian walk light unit

 

[stag]

The unit looks like this and has a pair of wires for each light.

 

[Engineer54]

Where and what are you going to use that for?? I can't think of any use for such a light.
I wouldn't know what i was supposed to do looking at the photo, ... do i stop, or keep walking ?? lol!!!

 

[platty1005]

The problem is the frequency which is normally only a problem for AC motor speed and electronic equipment. Try wiring it to a standard yellow 110V transformer before buying a convertor.

 

[vernam616]

See my post above ^ (2nd post)

You would only need to wire a american plug onto it

 

[grantr37]

if you're in my area I will convert it for you for free....I will write a small parts list for you to get the parts yourself........they are using a lot of these for a film set in Glasgow just now....loads of them infact....visited the set last weekend and am due to go there again tomorrow...lots of USA traffic lights and walk-dontwalk signs there just now- maybe some of you would be interested in having a look at working on film sets, could end up getting a year or two of work in the states....you never know....

 

[stag]

if you're in my area I will convert it for you for free....I will write a small parts list for you to get the parts yourself........they are using a lot of these for a film set in Glasgow just now....loads of them infact....visited the set last weekend and am due to go there again tomorrow...lots of USA traffic lights and walk-dontwalk signs there just now- maybe some of you would be interested in having a look at working on film sets, could end up getting a year or two of work in the states....you never know....

Thanks for the offer grantr37. I'm based in London though, so the distance to Glasgow is a bit much. What part would I need, however? Cheers, stag

 

[grantr37]

will get you organised to get it working, I will need a photo of the back/inside as well as preferably a photo of the front as well, to see what controls if any it may need, I take it you want to have it so that it is on "dont walk" ...you press the button.....it stays red for a few seconds, goes green "walk" then maybe after a minute or two goes back to "dont walk" again?...for decoration inside a club or something, or maybe as a movie or TV prop?

 

[stag]

Cheers grant


I posted some pics of it already but I'll do it again. Here also is the description as given by the American seller who I obtained it from:


Dialight pedestrian led light, also known as the WALK/DONT WALK or MAN/HAND signs that are used at intersections.
MEASUREMENTS: 18"x16-1/2"x3-1/2"
INPUT: 120VAC 60Hz
There are 4 wires on this unit: White = ground/common, Blue = white man / walk signal, Red = red Hand / don't walk signal.
If you want to plug it straight into a house socket you will need to buy a cord and properly connect the wires.


As vernam616 and others on this thread pointed out it could be just simply be a job of wiring a domestic USA step down to UK transformer (possibly one for each light). I'm not really fussed about having the lights alternate; each one seems to be separately housed so each one could have its own power line, assuming it doesn't cause a problem.

Many thanks again