Ultra grind+ bought in the USA- will it work in Switzerland?

[AnyName]

Dear all

I searched really a lot in the internet but I do want to listen from a specialist in the subject matter who is an Electrical Engineer. That is why, I am writing in the Electrical Engineering section of PhysicsForrums.

I have bought an Ultra Grind+ (I do not know the exact model name but the capacity is 2 litres) from the United States so it runs on 110 Volts and 60 Hz. Now I would like to use it in Switzerland where the electricity is 230 Volts and 50 Hz.

[Mentor's note: Commercial link removed]

My question is so simple, I need to use this wet grinder without making any damages neither to the motor nor to our home. What should we do or buy in additional in order to make it work in an optimal conditions? If we need to buy some step-up and step-down transformer converters please send me the exact link of the product online so that I will buy that one.

Please note that there is a difference in Hz values : 60 Hz in the USA and 50 Hz in Switzerland.

Hope to receive precise answers for all my above mentioned questions. Thank you in advance and await your reply.

Thank you in advance for your valuable time to help me in this regard.

Best Regards
AnyName

 

[phyzguy]

I am from the USA, and my experience of living in Europe is the following:

(1) Do not just plug it in in Europe with an adapter plug. You will certainly fry the motor.
(2) You need to buy a transformer rated with enough power for the appliance. I make no guarantees or endorsements, but one like the one at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AY5D1W/?tag=pfamazon01-20 should work.
(3) The 50 Hz vs 60 Hz difference means the motor will spin slightly slower in Europe, but it will probably work just fine with the transformer.

 

[AnyName]

Hi Phyzguy

Thank you very much for your fast and precise reply.

Did you see the link which I mentioned in my first post? In that page, you will find the technical specifications of the wet grinder.

Thank you for the link of step up step down transformer but it is too less wattage, isn't it? I do not know how much wattage should I go for? Moreover, where to buy it so that I will pay less.

I tried to run it directly as I did not know about the difference of 110 Volts and 230 Volts between the USA and Switzerland. But I unplugged it within less than 30 seconds because I felt slightly bad smell. Is the motor is gone or else I can expect it is still alive :-)?

Thank you once again.

Best Regards
AnyName

 

[phyzguy]

Hi Phyzguy

Thank you very much for your fast and precise reply.

Did you see the link which I mentioned in my first post? In that page, you will find the technical specifications of the wet grinder.

Thank you for the link of step up step down transformer but it is too less wattage, isn't it? I do not know how much wattage should I go for? Moreover, where to buy it so that I will pay less.

I tried to run it directly as I did not know about the difference of 110 Volts and 230 Volts between the USA and Switzerland. But I unplugged it within less than 30 seconds because I felt slightly bad smell. Is the motor is gone or else I can expect it is still alive :-)?

Thank you once again.

Best Regards
AnyName

I can't see the link, but you need to have enough wattage for the appliance. They make these transformers in many sizes, but the more power, the more expensive. Often you can find expats returning to the USA that are selling these things cheaply.

It's hard to say if you fried the motor or not. If you unplugged it quickly enough, it may still be OK. Maybe you could borrow a transformer and try it out before you spend the money on one?

 

[AnyName]

I can't see the link, but you need to have enough wattage for the appliance. They make these transformers in many sizes, but the more power, the more expensive. Often you can find expats returning to the USA that are selling these things cheaply.

It's hard to say if you fried the motor or not. If you unplugged it quickly enough, it may still be OK. Maybe you could borrow a transformer and try it out before you spend the money on one?

Thank you so much for your quick reply once again. I think the same way as you advised but I do not know where to find a transformer just to try :-(

I appreciate any help really.

Have a good one...

 

[anorlunda]

I tried to run it directly as I did not know about the difference of 110 Volts and 230 Volts between the USA and Switzerland. But I unplugged it within less than 30 seconds because I felt slightly bad smell. Is the motor is gone or else I can expect it is still alive :-)?

Oh, you should not have done that. A burning smell is very bad, and 30 seconds is plenty long enough to do damage.

Take @phyzguy 's advice an find a way to test the motor before investing in transformers.

It may be cheaper to buy a European grinder than to get a suitable transformer.

 

[AnyName]

Hi Anorlunda

Thank you so much for your reply and advise too.

I just would like to know whether the motor is still working or burnt. I will try to find a way to test the motor but I do not know where and whom to contact to do so.

I do not believe there exists an european wet grinder. I will search to understand.

Best regards

 

[anorlunda]

Another solution might be to just replace the motor in the grinder with a European motor. If it is variable speed, you can also buy motors with variable speed controls in Europe. Search for an electric motor repair shop near where you live, and ask if they can help.

 

[AnyName]

Thank you once again. I do not understand technical things about the motor but I could find out a motor repair shop may be as you said they could help me to fix this.

 

[mfb]

I do not believe there exists an european wet grinder. I will search to understand.

The website you had linked sells a 220 V version (which is actually 230 V). The link got removed here to avoid advertisement.

 

[AnyName]

Hi mfb

Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, you are right that there exists a 220v version of Ultra Grind+ but at the time of purchase we did not know about this :-(

Thank you once again and have a good one...

 

[AnyName]

Dear JimHardy

I sincerely appreciate your reply and your effort to help me. I feel it is too technical even after you explained it in detail moreover I do not wish to play with electricity as I do not know much about that.

However, I appreciate and thank you once again for your help which is absolutely great. Have a good weekend.

I am trying to buy a voltage step up / step down transformer if I find one for a cheaper price so that I can test it...

Best regards
AnyName

 

[jim hardy]

Dear JimHardy

I sincerely appreciate your reply and your effort to help me. I feel it is too technical even after you explained it in detail moreover I do not wish to play with electricity as I do not know much about that.

Thanks for your kind words.

Sorry i couldn't be of more help.

Somebody pm'd me that your machine has an induction motor not a universal one,
so to follow my advice would have likely burnt up your motor.
Things worked out for the best i think.

Good luck to you , Sir !

old jim

 

[AnyName]

Dear OldJim

My words just express what I wanted to mean and there is nothing to do with kindness to tell the truth!Moreover, I always admire the people like you who want to do beyond to help someone whom you do not even know on the internet. I have no words to express my gratitude to everyone out in this world who are helping everyone with their best intentions and hats off all of you not only in this forum but every forum in this planet.

I did not try because I am bit afraid of the electricity as I know really nothing about it :-))

Take best care.

Best Regards

 

[AnyName]

Hi All

Once again, I would like to update about the motor exchange. I found out a motor repair shop but they are insanely expensive...

I really wish to buy a transformer so that at least i can test it...i did not find one nearby where i live so any recommendations about the wattage i should go for?$

I saw the specifications on the grinder manual where it is mentioned as follows:
Technical Data:

Motor : 149W Single Phase
1100 RPM

Volts : 110V Ac 60 Hz

But when I saw the plug it is mentioned 10 A 125 V ...as per google i have to multiply 10Amps X 125 Volts which gives the wattage as 1250 watts.

Now with the two above information, I am so confused whether I should buy a 500watt (149 * 1.5 = 223, so 500watt will be OK) or 2000 watt(1250 * 1.5 = 1875, so 2000watt will be OK) step up step down transformer.

I really wish someone clarify and help me to buy the right one. The idea is so simple, I do not want to lose more money on this thing by doing one more error :-((((

Thank you very much for your valuable time and I already appreciate your answer for which i am awaiting...

Have a good one...

Best regards

 

[jim hardy]

Now with the two above information, I am so confused whether I should buy a 500watt (149 * 1.5 = 223, so 500watt will be OK) or 2000 watt(1250 * 1.5 = 1875, so 2000watt will be OK) step up step down transformer.

I've forgotten the details
does this thing have a heater in it ?

Is there any marking on it like "Peak Power = (some preposterously big number)" ?

If it's just a 149 watt (0.2hp) motor then a 500 watt transformer sounds like plenty for running
but it draws more power than that when starting

try a search on" Induction Motor KVA code"
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/locked-rotor-code-d_917.html
rule of thumb says small motors(<1hp) draw ~9.5 KVA/hp during their brief starting interval
which means your little 0.2 hp motor may draw 1.9KVA (15 amps) for an instant as it starts. That'd be an almost 4X overload for a 500 watt transformer so voltage will sag, making it start more slowly.. it might not start at all with low voltage

If you can be sure you will never ask it to start when filled with stuff to grind you'll probably get away with a 500 watt transformer. But if you pack it full it may not go.
I hate to recommend a 1000 watt transformer because i know it's costly.
So in your shoes I'd arrange with whoever sells you the transformer that you can return it for credit toward a bigger one if it turns out you need it.

Sorry for the ambiguous answer - but i made that "'starting current" mistake myself once when advising somebody. Got really embarrassed.
old jim

 

[anorlunda]

I'm sorry this has been so difficult for you. Even something as simple as an electric drill could possibly be adapted to spin your grinder by just attaching the grinder shaft to the drill Chuck.

Too bad you don't have @jim hardy there in Europe to help you.

 

[jim hardy]

Thanks anorlunda.

commercial grade 1kva transformer like a Hammond appears to be $300++ .

Bing search on 220 110 step down transformer finds el-cheapo THG-like imports here in US, 1500 watt for as little as $39.99 + Illinois sales tax + shipping which only a few bucks more than a 500 watt. I find that amazing.
It's not a Hammond but then you're not asking much of it.
I'll not put up the link because we shouldn't advertise on PF and a US address wouldn't help you in Europe anyhow.

See what you can find where you live.

old jim

 

[davenn]

But when I saw the plug it is mentioned 10 A 125 V ...as per google i have to multiply 10Amps X 125 Volts which gives the wattage as 1250 watts.

the other guys answers didn't pick up on this

THAT is just the maximum rating of the plug

this ..
Motor : 149W Single Phase
1100 RPM

Volts : 110V Ac 60 Hz

is the ratings for the grinder ... presumably you read that off the label on the grinder ?

Bing search on 220 110 step down transformer finds el-cheapo THG-like imports here in US, 1500 watt for as little as $39.99 + Illinois sales tax + shipping which only a few bucks more than a 500 watt. I find that amazing.

you don't need one this powerful but at least it would never get overloaded and for US$40 you wouldn't go wrong
Dave

 

[AnyName]

Dear Davenn

Thank very much for your valuable time and reply.

I found this info on the user manual of the grinder but not on the grinder itself.

On the other hand i have found on the plug 10 A ~125 V and hence the confusion

You are right about the 1500 as the price does not vary much but the weight does i mean to say its not compact nd so the hesitation.

I will look into the link. Have a good one.

Best regards

 

[jim hardy]

i mean to say its not compact nd so the hesitation.

i understand.
Fair Anne doesn't like ugly things in her kitchen either, though she does let me run engine parts through the dishwasher provided i take them back outside immediately..
Perhaps you could conceal it atop a cabinet or something . Be sure it's ventilated, though.

i'd be afraid to recommend a cheap thyristor based device for an induction motor. If you find one that brags on " integral control" post a link.

 

[rbelli1]

cheap thyristor based device

I would actively recommend against them for motors.

To get one of those to work you would need one that can handle the peak starting current. This makes it not so cheap any more. Plus the harmonics that come out of them might end up overheating the motor and reducing the useful life.

BoB

 

[AnyName]

Hi OldJim, BoB, Anorlunda, Dave

I thank you whole heartedly everyone for your intention to help me and your replies which were really useful.

I have decided to buy 1500 or 2000 watts as the difference of price is not so much that way I can be at least sure that it will be useful the purchase.

I will get back to you all after I have bought one...

Have a good one...

Best regards