[phillamb168]

I brought back a march 809 that I thought would be rated for 115/230V, but it's not. Definitely 50/60hz, but only 115V rating is listed. Can I put this on 220 without blowing something up?

[bo]

I brought back a march 809 that I thought would be rated for 115/230V, but it's not. Definitely 50/60hz, but only 115V rating is listed. Can I put this on 220 without blowing something up?

No, you will burn up the motor if you do.

[phillamb168]

Booooo. So, anybody LTB a new March 809?

[hopfenundmalz]

You could see what a transformer would cost to step the voltage down.  Had to do this for my computer when I lived in Germany.  Not exactly cheap, but it will work.

[phillamb168]

You could see what a transformer would cost to step the voltage down.  Had to do this for my computer when I lived in Germany.  Not exactly cheap, but it will work.

True, but I would not want a transformer like the kind I've seen for sale anywhere NEAR liquids...

[bo]

You'd likely spend more money on the transformer than you would on a new pump, but that could be done.

[hopfenundmalz]

You'd likely spend more money on the transformer than you would on a new pump, but that could be done.

It was more than I thought a simple transformer should be, but a lot less than a new pump.  There was some demand in that area due to all the US expats and Military personel.

[bo]

Just don't be swayed by these little plug in voltage device that people use for traveling. IMO they're very dangerous and if they aren't set accurately, they could cause motor to get very hot.

[mabrungard]

That issue with the motor overheating when used with a step down transformer must be due to Power Factor issues.  They should be easily correctable by including a capacitor in the motor circuit to bring the Power Factor back closer to 1.0.  I know my old electrical engineering text had some insight into how to do the calculation, but I'm no electrical engineer.  I know just enough to hopefully keep me from getting killed and knowing how to interpret what my electrical engineers tell me.

[bo]

I wasn't referring to using an actual transformer, but rather these little devices that phase control the output. If the phasing isn't symmetrical, you can get a small DC voltage applied to the motor and this can superheat some motor types. .However, power factor could be another issue as you pointed out.

[euge]

If you bought the pump with expectations of it working at 220 and you received the wrong one why not return it for an exchange?

[phillamb168]

If you bought the pump with expectations of it working at 220 and you received the wrong one why not return it for an exchange?

Shipping it back to Northern Brewer in Milwaukkee will cost $$$, probably more than buying a new pump (at least, were I to ship it there and then get a return). So if any of you guys are looking for a pump, let me know...

[tom]

It looks like it can work on both 120 and 240V.
http://www.patriot-supply.com/products/showitem.cfm/RANCO_ETC_111000_000

[bo]

Maybe the control can, but not the March pump.

[tom]

Doh!