FREE to good home! 230V to 115V 1kW transformer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2022, 01:00:16 am
content: Hi.This is an ex-IBM 1kW step down/step up transformer. A real transformer, not an SMPS. It was originally used at the IBM Wangaratta plant up until the 1990's sometime. Beautifully made, it will impress the wife. Doubles as a boat anchor - er, the transformer that is.The story behind it: A mate and ex-colleague who is an Australian living permanently in the Austin, TX, came back here to sort out some personal stuff. He didn't want to carry the transformer on the aeroplane back to the US (excess baggage!). He wanted to give me the transformer, but I don't need it as I already have one. So he asked if I might see if someone night want it.Pick up in Brunswick in Melbourne (Australia) at another bloke's house. I don't know his address. Message me for the phone number of the bloke who has it and you organise picking it up. He is not going to ship it, but you could organise a courier to pick it up maybe.Don't ask me the size, specs etc... I had it stored here about 8 years ago, and I forgot it's details. Its about the size of two shoe boxes on top of each other and weighs about 10kg or so. It does have a handle on it. No photo; but it is well made, without doubt.cheers,Dave

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2022, 05:26:14 am
content: Wonder what the shipping costs to the Old Dart would be..?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2022, 12:33:36 pm
content: I don't even want to think about the cost of shipping it up the road to Sydney.

author: Wazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2022, 08:43:23 pm
content: VK3DRB,If that step down transformer is still available I'll take it off your hands.Regards,Waz

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 03:44:25 am
content: Hi Waz, I think it is. I'll have to contact the owner to see if it is.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 03:45:32 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 24, 2022, 05:26:14 amMore than a site transformer from your local builder with a busted socket!

author: modz786
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 10:08:37 am
content: a photo would be great!

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 11:56:04 pm
content: Or a part or model number so we can look it up, curious to see what they look like.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2022, 08:23:58 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 06, 2022, 03:45:32 amAlthough youmightbe able to use one of those, depending on your use case, there are a few things to note:1. You wouldn't get 120V on the secondary with 240V on the primary, you'd get 110V (55-0-55)2. The earth ground is connected to the centre tap on the secondary3. They are usually fully potted, which can make repairs tricky (some have a resin plug over a sand filling for cost reduction)

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2022, 01:02:58 pm
content: Hi I sent a contact message to Wazza. If I don't get confirmation from him within a week, I'll assume it is still available.Sorry, I don't have a photo or specs. It is about 10 years since I saw it. Actually it might be 2kW, because the same type was used to drive a microwave oven imported from the USA. Also, I remember it is very well made. It has a handle for carrying around. It is not too big - maybe 2 shoes boxes in size on top of each other. It is fully isolating between active and neutral - ie: NOT an autotransformer; but the earth pins on both side might be connected.It was used at IBM Wangaratta to test SMPS's on the original IBMPC's that we made for the US market and for test equipment sourced from the USA. The old IBMPC's were manually switched between 230V and 110V. We had heaps of them. Sometimes a power supply would be inadvertently switched to 110V and when plugged into 230V...BANG!I don't have much time on this, as I am busting my gut doing some really complicate embedded firmware and am burning the midnight oil every day. I am just doing this to help a mate and the transformer is too good to throw out, or even get the copper out of. My mate has gone back to Texas, but another engineer mate of his in Brunswick (Melbourne, Australia) got left with it. He doesn't want to mess around. Just pick it up and go; or get a courier to pick it up.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2022, 02:03:42 am
content: Wazza is picking the transformer up, so assume it is no longer available.