Using a 60 hz air con unit in a 50 hz country.

[Alex Teacher]

Hi all,

I've got a window box-style air conditioning unit that I bought in Korea and want to send back to my house in Thailand, to use.

The power is the same,so no problem there, but the Mz is different (Korea: 60; (so the unit is 60hz), as well, Thailand 50 hz).

This issue came up when some Indian guy tried to buy the unit off of me for $40 claiming that he needed to spend a bunch of money to use it there (in India). It sounded like nonsense to me, but here is what he said to me, in the nicest terms possible, after I laughed at hs offer for the unit,...(which would be a deal for $100-$130 (..it is used)...

His reply
.............

"For your information pal (**gotta love this part***)
In any A/C system the compressor are the important part.
it must be supply the currect voltage and Amp
(u mentioned that probably not thats y i am explaining)
so its not a simple matter just one transformer and converter and all...
...........


So is there anything to what he is saying? Or can I just disregard it as a guy who is trying to get a deal by preying on my ignorance...?

Thanks in advance,

Alex

 

[airfoil]

First off, whats the standard voltage in Korea? Sounds like its 110V. Next, since you say Thailand has a 50Hz wave, that would probably means they use 220V out there.

Simply put, if this applies, you're SOL. You'll need to buy an expensive step down converter (for something as power consuming as an AC, this will have to be humoungous), will have overheating issues and may not last long.

Do your folks in Thailand a favor and tell them not to plug it in until you've worked out the 'finer' details.

 

[airfoil]

And yeah, unless you have a better use for it, sounds like you'll be better off selling it for the $40.

 

[Alex Teacher]

Korea's power is 220, as is Thailands. So it's okay there. But it is 60 hz in Korea and 50 hz in Thailand.

For me to send this used unit to Thailand would cost me 1/3rd of simply installing a brand new and nicer one there, i.e. it may be wiser to avoid the hassle and just go that route.

But I won't be selling the unit for $40, in any case though; even if I can't take it. I can pass it off to a friend who'll wait for it to warm up here in Korea and it can still be sold for a profit to both...

$40 for such a unit is just too low to take. I wouldn't bother going through the motions for it...

Alex

 

[FishTankX]

You live in Korea.

Don't they have those open air electronics market that sell everything under the sun?

Better to ask them, they know what they're talking about.k

 

[FishTankX]

Originally posted by: FishTankX
You live in Thailand?

Don't they have those open air electronics market that sell everything under the sun?

Better to ask them, they know what they're talking about.k

 

[crisscross]

Hi, step down convertors shouldn't really cost you much. I live in India and i get all my hardware from the US. My Logitech MX Duo runs on a step down transformer i got for $3 locally. same goes with my cordless phone and Swan Speakers... hope that helps.

 

[Zepper]

Usually AC motors are rated to work at both 50 and 60Hz. Check the standards/certifications plate on the Air Condiner again.

.bh.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Not really up on Asian power. Voltage conversion should be no big problem. The answers you have gotten covered that pretty well. Motors in the unit, compressor and fan, are wound for 60HZ. They will not be happy on 50HZ and will probably draw more current, overheat and/or run too slowly. Just a guess, but I wouldn't expect it to work too well. Jim

 

[Alex Teacher]

Thanks guys,

I've checked the plate and it's definitely only graded for 60 Hz. And I agree fully with you Jim; there are likley to be issues and I'm not sending it.

I have already thanked the Indian guy for his heads-up regarding the Hz incompatability. There is actually quite a bit of good info on the net that I eventually dug up...

Cheers,

Alex

 

[Mark R]

Definitely a bad idea to use it on the incorrect frequency. Powerful AC motors are usually 'induction motors' and are designed to run on one specific frequency. They will run at the wrong speed and potentially over-heat or stall because their torque curves will change.

In the worst case, you'll burn the motor out. In the best case it'll run at the wrong speed - and in the case of an AC system you'll get poor cooling.

 

[TomKazansky]

Originally posted by: Mark R
Definitely a bad idea to use it on the incorrect frequency. Powerful AC motors are usually 'induction motors' and are designed to run on one specific frequency. They will run at the wrong speed and potentially over-heat or stall because their torque curves will change.

In the worst case, you'll burn the motor out. In the best case it'll run at the wrong speed - and in the case of an AC system you'll get poor cooling.

different wave will change the torque curve.