MARKS@HDETUD53.BITNET (03/04/88)
Distribution-File:
info-atari16@score.stanford.edu
Before I have my American 1040ST sent over here to Holland, I would feel
much more confident if I could get some hard information from someone who's
done the same thing. Not necessarily to Holland--I guess that all European
power is the same 220V, 50 Hz. Have people tried this, and has it been
successful? I was told that I only have to convert the voltage; the frequency
is supposed to be OK, since I have the monochrome monitor. Any confirmations?
I was told that adaptor/transformers were easy to get in the US.
Unfortunately, I assumed they would also be easy to find here. I can't
find anyone that has one. Can anyone give me a recommendation on this?
Should I just buy a 2:1 transformer and solder something together? Is
there any way this could get me in trouble?
Please respond to MARKS@HDETUD53 (BITNET).
Appreciatively,
Roger Marksgert@prls.UUCP (Gert Slavenburg) (03/09/88)
Since I don't know how to respond to your BITNET address, I'll use this expensive method of answering - maybe it'll help others. Sometime ago I moved my U.S. model 520ST to Europe (Holland). I sold my color monitor, since I wasn't sure if the 60Hz refresh would give visible 'wobble' when supplied from a 50Hz net, but figured that the (70 Hz) monochrome monitor shouldn't care about its power frequency. In Holland, I acquired a 220 -> 110 Volt transformer (In Holland, you should ask for a 'VERHUIS TRANSFORMATOR' in an Electronics components store - 300 Watts or more should do the job). The safe way to test if things work, before risking your ST, is to wire the transformer according to the instructions and connect a US type lightbulb as load. Measure the voltage, which should be around 112-125 Volts (usually, you can use one of several taps to set the secundary voltage. I managed to get 117 Volts that way - a safe bet). The ST and monochrome monitor worked perfect from this supply. Also you can run a European color monitor at 50 HZ from your ST using a so called ST to SCART cable (and a TV with SCART input). This however requires a program (or ROM patch) that sets your ST vertical rate to 50Hz. Any home computer club there can get you one, since Atari forgot this little fact with an earlier ROM release. I used this setup for 1 1/2 years without problems (and then moved back). Hope this helps, Gert Slavenburg (UUCP:..!pyramid!prls!gert)