220v power for the electrically challenged

[toolguy1000]

this was shown in the current issue of shopnotes magazine:

http://www.quick220.com/220_catalog.htm

[tjmac44]

Pricey and assumes you have, an know how to identify, 2 ouTlets that are out of phase. Can be done for fraction of the cost. Unless I missed some value added or safety feature.

[LCHIEN]

Pricey and assumes you have, an know how to identify, 2 ouTlets that are out of phase. Can be done for fraction of the cost. Unless I missed some value added or safety feature.

Although you could identify two 120 outlets on different legs and combine them, I'm guessing this is not that cheap solution.

The way I read it is that this box contains a 120 to DC to 240V inverter that uses the power from two 120V outlets on different legs to provide enough power for a 20A 240V outlet. It would require 10-15 Amps from each 120V circuit to provide 20A at 240, assuming some loss of power for conversion efficiency. The specs refer to a patent which discusses switching inverter controls.

[Daryl]

If you have to have a leg from each 120 circuit, what is the need for an adaptor?

[cabinetman]

If you have to have a leg from each 120 circuit, what is the need for an adaptor?

A 240V plug in is more convenient than getting to the legs.


.

[LCHIEN]

If you have to have a leg from each 120 circuit, what is the need for an adaptor?

They might not be in the same room. Or, If you wanted a temporary or even prtable solution, a electrician might charge several hundred dollars to wire up a "legal", permanent 240V outlet from two 120V outlets on different legs even if they were close. More if he had to route it from another place.


OTOH, there might not be two circuits available in the same room, either, and even if there were, many people can't identify them easily for either being on two legs or being different circuits.

Overall, this device provides a solution for those who are unwilling to call an electrician (or unable to afford their work) or who maybe need a temporary or portable solution.

[tjmac44]

They might not be in the same room. Or, If you wanted a temporary or even prtable solution, a electrician might charge several hundred dollars to wire up a "legal", permanent 240V outlet from two 120V outlets on different legs even if they were close. More if he had to route it from another place.


OTOH, there might not be two circuits available in the same room, either, and even if there were, many people can't identify them easily for either being on two legs or being different circuits.

Overall, this device provides a solution for those who are unwilling to call an electrician (or unable to afford their work) or who maybe need a temporary or portable solution.

In the specs:

INPUT: 108 to 125 Volts AC, 60 HZ, non-GFI circuits, two circuits, out of phase

[LCHIEN]

missed that!

reading it again, it does have circuits that won't switch on the output until the opposite phase inputs are attached. I guess no inverters.
My bad.

Maybe it is an overpriced piece of crap.
Don't buy one.

[3thumbs]

This device would work just fine in one shop out of a hundred. Most of us who do woodworking either know how to run our own 220, or know someone who does, and owes us for something.
DM

[3thumbs]

missed that!

reading it again, it does have circuits that won't switch on the output until the opposite phase inputs are attached. I guess no inverters.
My bad.

Maybe it is an overpriced piece of crap.
Don't buy one.

You could make one of these for yourself for about $20 worth of power cords, a receptacle and two plugs.

[BigguyZ]

I think it's a cleaver solution if you want to be able to temporarily have 220 somewhere. Now if you wanted something permanent (like we do with our shops), then that's not a good option.

I am curious- what do you mean when you say the two outlets need to be out of phase?

[LCHIEN]

I think it's a cleaver solution if you want to be able to temporarily have 220 somewhere. Now if you wanted something permanent (like we do with our shops), then that's not a good option.

I am curious- what do you mean when you say the two outlets need to be out of phase?

Your incoming power is normally 220V with a neutral.
So one leg of the 220 to neutral produces 110V. Usually your 110 circuits are balanced in the number of them that come from one leg or the other of the 220v.
This device requires two circuits, one from each leg to reproduce the 220V that comes into the house.

[cabinetman]

Your incoming power is normally 220V with a neutral.
So one leg of the 220 to neutral produces 110V. Usually your 110 circuits are balanced in the number of them that come from one leg or the other of the 220v.
This device requires two circuits, one from each leg to reproduce the 220V that comes into the house.

So, how is the average homeowner to know if the two plugs picked are from separate circuits. Is there some kind of check light or indicator on the unit?

.

[LCHIEN]

So, how is the average homeowner to know if the two plugs picked are from separate circuits. Is there some kind of check light or indicator on the unit?

.

That unit claims to not turn on the output if you have not plugged its two plugs into separate and opposite 110V circuits. I don't know if it has a light or other warning, but it will not work. I would assume a good design has at least 2 lights to indicate good or bad power setup as opposed to no power (no light).

[3thumbs]

The unit has a light on it that indicates when the two plugs are on different phases. This is a simple device, but it could lead to using a long extension cord for one of the phases, creating a whole new problem.
DM