Foreign Altec Lansing MX5021 speakers

[Boze]

While I was in the military, I spent a lot of time overseas and ended up getting a pair of Altec Lansing MX5021 speakers for use each deployment there. The speakers actually rock pretty hard for the price I paid and I want to figure out a way to use them here in America.

The power requirements are 230 volts, 50 Hz, 0.45 amps. Would I be better off purchasing some type of external converter, or is there some way I (or a friend) could take a soldering iron to the internal guts and make them work? Right now they're useless to me since I won't be going back overseas for at least 8 years, and from a living standpoint, probably never.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[PM650]

Since these don't use an external power brick, you'll in all likelihood have to use a conveter. If these use an internal switch-mode supply, there is a small possibility of being able to install a jumper in the psu section to enable 120V operation (this is analogous to the switch for 115/230V operation on pc psu's). If it uses a linear power supply (sizeable/heavy transformer - commonplace in most HT receivers), conversion would require the transformer to have dual primary windings, which will need to be connected differently; if there is only one primary winding, it cannot be modified (unless you feel like unwinding & rewinding a transformer). My experience (going by multi-regional service manuals) is that european models seem to be more readily equipped for voltage switching (US models rarely so).

If you have to resort to a converter, a 200W unit will be more than enough.
http://www.voltageconverters.c...oltage_converters.html

 

[Boze]

Fortunately the subwoofer has an enormous panel on it which is easily removed via screws. I will take that apart sometime today and photograph it and provide links; hopefully I'm smart enough to know what to look for, however, if I'm not, maybe my photographs will be enough for you to point it out for me?

Thank you for the link to the converter unit. While reading more about it, I noticed it doesn't convert the cycle from 60 Hz to 50 Hz; will that affect the operation of the speakers in any way?

 

[corkyg]

Going from 50 to 60 cycles normally effects light bulbs and motors. I can't think of anything in a speaker system that would be bothered.

 

[PM650]

Transformers designed to work at 50hz will be slightly more efficient at 60hz, so it is not a problem in your case. Frequency conversion would require a much more complex converter (not doable with a simple transformer - as those in the link I posted are). Go ahead and take some photos and I'll give you my opinion.

 

[Boze]

PM650, I cracked the back of the case and decided I'd be better off not messing with that speaker system in any way, shape, or form. My technolust has limits, and after seeing the guts of that subwoofer, I've approached it. I'll instead buy that very reasonable voltage converter you linked and be happy. Thank you for your help.

 

[PM650]

Aww chicken..:brokenheart:, I love taking things apart just to see how they're designed. Anyways the converter is bidirectional, so you can use it to run 110V stuff on 220V if you ever go back overseas again