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From: slbg6790@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Mephisto)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Moving computer equipment to another country
Message-ID: <1990Aug13.201559.13019@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 13 Aug 90 20:15:59 GMT
References: <31328@rphroy.UUCP>
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Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
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ukohli@rcsuna.uucp (Upkar Singh Kohli E3) writes:

>A friend of mine wants to know if he could move the following 
>computer equipment from United States to England:

>An IBM compatible (Fountain brand) computer (8086 chip)
>An EPSON LX800 printer

>	upkar@wsu-eng.eng.wayne.edu

>Upkar Singh

I recently posted something to this effect on sci.electronics, and here's
a summary of the replies I received:

Your monitor is probably designed to run on 60 Hz, and won't work on
England's 240V/50Hz, even with a voltage transformer.  The electon beam
sweep rate is sync'ed to the line frequency, and the screen is sized for
60 Hz.  The computer might have a switch on the back for use on 220/240 V.
My computer, a 286 clone, did.  The printer probably doesn't.  If you
use electronics designed for 60 Hz that have internal power transformers,
the reduced inductive impedance draws significantly more power, and you 
will probably fry the sucker unless you take pains to cool it.  I had
a lot of other unique electronics that I didn't want to leave behind, and
one option I might consider is a portable Honda-type emergency generator,
a gas-powered 60 Hz power generator.  This is just a little 4-cycle engine
with power outputs, designed for use in power failures.  I don't know
anything about their cost, but it can't be more than the price of my
electronics.  It might be an option for you, otherwise there are reputedly
stores that sell voltage transformers (120V is supposedly popular in England
for outdoor equipment/power tools).    

Bon Chance,
Mephisto
slbg6790@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu