Japanese voltage question

Post by **30h5** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:15 pm

I am finally getting my first true analog mono, a SH-2! It is coming from Japan and runs on 100v current. Since I am in the USA, will I need to get a power converter? I see that we run at 60hz as does Japan, but will I be ok plugging the synth in even though we have a slightly higher amount of volts?

Z · Post by Z » Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:37 pm

Congrats on getting a SH-2. I've owned one for nearly 20 years and love it! It's currently at my tech getting calibrated, can't wait to get it back.

I recently bought a System 100m from someone who had purchased it from a seller in Japan. My seller included a power transformer box with the synth. I have not used it without the transformer, but was told that it should still work on on US's 120 volt. Since I don't want to take any chances with a rare and somewhat pricey synth, I will continue to use the transformer. I wold suggest the same for your 30 year old synth.

Z

Post by **pangmaster** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:20 pm

It should work just fine on US voltages with no transformer. My Japanese XP-50 has been here for over 10 years with no problems at all. In fact, if you actually look at the voltage levels from commercial power over time you will notice that it can fluctuate quite a lot, often dropping down to 100 or 110 and other times can go above 120.

Many devices are designed to operate in such ranges, and you may often see 100V - 120V listed on the power supply.

Post by **nathanscribe** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:47 pm

Here in the UK, the only easily available transformers are US output, but I've used both US and Japanese synths on them with no problem. They are labelled diferently too - some are marked as 110V, some as 100-120V. If you don't like to risk anything, play it safe and spend a few dollars for the peace of mind - can't hurt.

Post by **Maschinengeist** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:13 pm

Underpowered is not a problem... Overpowered is.

Post by **nathanscribe** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:22 pm

Maschinengeist wrote:Underpowered is not a problem... Overpowered is.

Good point... If my info is correct, prolonged voltage supply above the expected window can lead to shorter component life - I think we all know what happens when you really overdo it...

Post by **30h5** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:12 am

Well I got the synth today and I decided to plug it in for a sec just to hear it for a moment and I turned up vco 1 and 2 and turned up the volume and pressed a few keys and heard nothing, I then quickly shut it off. I didn't hear any popping or smelled anything, so I don't think it is fried. Is it possible I just didn't give it enough time to warm up? It was on max 10 seconds. I admit I am an analog noob, my only other experience is with my arp and that made sound immediately when turned on. Thoughts please. Thanks!

Update: In thinking about it more, I only did turn up just those three functions, both ocs were on 32' the cutoff was all the way on zero, and the envelope was all on zero. Also the seller has said that none of his US customers have ever complained about any problems with voltage when using his synths. So I guess we'll see when I get the votage converter.