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From: glarson@srcsip.UUCP (Greg Larson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Re: A500 moving to Europe
Message-ID: <4689@altura.srcsip.UUCP>
Date: 5 Jun 88 07:05:27 GMT
Article-I.D.: altura.4689
References: <309@gismo.SanDiego.NCR.COM>
Reply-To: glarson@mmsvax.UUCP ()
Organization: Honeywell Systems & Research Center, MPLS, MN
Lines: 37

I would first try out the power supply using a commonly available
European-to-American AC voltage transformer.  If you have a volt meter, you
might want to check the levels on the output of the supply (refer to your
user's manual).  (Note: there are two major differences between European
household AC power and the US variety:  The Europeans have double the voltage,
which would probably destroy any US products pugged directly in, although I
suspect the connectors are incompatible.  The other difference is that the
European AC (Alternating current) power oscillates at a rate of 50 times per
second, while our oscillates at 60 (I wasn't sure just how knowledgeable
you are).  The Amiga 500 power supply *probably doesn't care too much whether
the oscillation is at 50 or 60, but it *definitely doesn't like 220 Volts
going into it.  If you can't find anyone smarter than me, then buy yourself
an ultra-cheap volt meter, and plug the supply (with converter) into the
European socket.  If your voltage levels are within 0.5 Volts of the required
levels, then it's probably save to plug your computer in.  (I've notice that
some +- 12V supplies don't give a good reading unless they are actually
supplying current.).   Try plugging it in for a second or two at first, and
measure the output again.  If you smell smoke, then you can at least salvage
the most important part of the supply -- the output cable.  You should then
purchase a European version of a IBM PC power supply (with nice box and fan).
Remove that cable from your Amiga supply and discard the rest.  Attach
cable (with good solder joints) to your IBM supply.   Test outputs with
meter to make sure you've got it right (again, refer to your user's manual).
Now you're set (hopefully).

The other problem you might have is your monitor.  I have no idea as to
whether a US model will operate in Europe.  If the monitor makes use of
the AC oscillation frequency, then you may be out of luck unless you
get one of those fancy thingamajigs that converts 60Hz to 50Hz.  If you
can get one that handles enough current (at a decent price),
then I'd suggest plugging your
whole setup into a surge-protected power strip, and plug the power strip
into the thingamajig, which is then plugged into the European receptacle.
Even if this works, I'd still suggest doing the IBM PC supply conversion
because it costs half as much as the Commodore Amiga one, and should be
a lot more reliable (especially if you have 2 disk drives and expansion
RAM).  Good luck!