Running a UK RSM 250 in the US?

[Redrum]

Hello,

I'm seriously considering purchasing the Red Sea Max 250. I am from the US but currently live in the UK. It is possible that within the next 2-3 years I will be returning to the US.

Would a UK-spec RSM 250 run properly in the US?

Obviously it would need a plug adapter, but would that be sufficient? Would even a voltage converter be enough?

I understand that certain electronics simply cannot run properly in a foreign country due to the difference in amps - I don't know the technical terminology but I know that in particular this often affects equipment that has an RPM component like a fan. For example, we brought over a US blender/food processor that will not run correctly here in the UK even with a voltage converter.

TIA!

[wayne in norway]

Even with a voltage converter you'd find pumps ran a bit faster in the US due to the different Hz frequency. Mind, after 3 years of use most of the pumps will be pretty worn anyway, and you might fancy a change. It's not something that would stop me, and I don't really think it will be a problem anyway.

[Redrum]

Thanks, Wayne! Hertz, that's it, not amps. (Can you tell I only barely know what I'm talking about here? ;))

That's the other thing, really - if I did need to replace any of the pumps, I understand the RSM 250 has European-style electricity outlets, so if I bought an American pump as a replacement it would require a plug adaptor. I haven't seen any photos of where the various electrics actually plug into the built-in power strip, so I don't know if there is room there to allow for a plug adaptor?

[redseasteve]

The central control bpx takes euro plugs across the world. It's only the mains cord which would be different. Therefore replacing components really is not an issue.

[CanAmSteve]

Just a followup from someone with experience living on both sides of the pond.

Many US and Canadian homeowners forget (or ever knew) that they have 220V service in their homes. This is almost universal - electric water heaters (boilers in the UK) and electric stoves both run on 220V, as does electric baseboard (skirting :-) heating. It is almost universal that 220V is supplied to US/CDN homes (as +110V and -110V paired feeds - combining them gives 220V).

So - if you end up in your own home (not an apartment/flat) you could have an electrician run you a 220V feed line. I've done this several times. Works especially well for the electric kettle (that Americans have never heard of :-)

Also, take a read of the manuals and also any electrical info on each device. Under US and Canadian law, all electrical devices must display their requirements, but unfortunately this is not universal. So, on a pump, it might say "230V/50Hz, 1 amp". You care most about the voltage/Hz (Hertz as mentioned above, or frequency). If only one voltage is listed, you'll need to provide that for the items to work properly, so a stepup transformer would be a start. You can't realistically modify the frequency (Hz - the US/Can and use 60 Hz and Europe 50 Hz) but in reality, most devices are not that sensitive to this relatively minor difference (e.g. the UK is 240V - often 250V and the mainland EU 230V). Most motors are not synchronous any more, so in many cases motor speeds will not be affected, but something like a diaphragm pump would run at a dfifferent speed, and might not be happy.

Because of the worldwide market for goods these days, I find most of my devices - especially computer-related - say something like "100-250V, 50/60Hz". In other words, they are happy using either US or UK power (and anything in between). A lot of electronics run off an internal power supply (like your PC) which is probably accepting 100-250V. PROBABLY. If not, replacing a power supply is not that expensive. And it's simple to replace the plug on the end of a feed wire if required.

Finally, some words of advice. If you work for a firm that will ship everything back for you, go for it. Otherwise. Get rid of everything "bulky" that can be replaced and which doesn't hold sentimental value. Been there, done that :-) I've been running my US-spec stereo equipment in the UK for ten years using a stepdown transformer. My turntable was not happy, though. The 50 Hz supply in the UK meant I couldn't get the speed right here. No matter, as all the old vinyl stayed back there, anyway. - Steve