Stepping down the voltage is the correct solution. Running it at 120 volts can cause problems... for example if a secondary voltage somewhere inside the unit is, say, 34 volts and there are 35 volt capacitors, then 120 volts on the primary will increase the secondary voltage above the rating of the capacitors and...poof. So unless you are dead sure about the voltage ratings of the parts inside, step down the voltage to where it is supposed to be. Simple physics, not misinformation.
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If it has a switch mode power supply, odds are it will be okay at 120/60Hz, though if truly designed for 100V only (rare) it could have issues with component tolerances and fail early. If it has a linear supply, you could overheat things. w.r.t. this post below, odds are it was built with universal 100-240VAC switch mode power suppl(ies). It is sensitive, but would likely use off the shelf supplies. millercarbon3,254 posts03-02-2020 3:02amJust to give you all some idea how absurd it is to think a few volts matters, I once ran a lithotripsy machine designed for 240 on 120. For you mathlexic types that's like half the voltage. That's a complex and highly computerized machine that generates shock waves that break kidney stones. Its a lot of power, precision, and an incredible amount of sensitive electronics. More pumps, motors, servos, microprocessors, transformers and high voltage power supplies (in excess of 60kV) than you can shake a stick at. You would think the thing wouldn't even run, or at least would throw error codes, or work but weakly, anything but what happened, which was nothing. Worked absolutely fine. Didn't even know about the voltage until after the fact. |
Just to throw this out there. I once ignored the 100v only and ran a DVD player on my 120v line thinking it would be fine only 20% over volt. Sure it worked just fine... For about 2 months when it then went up in a big poof of smoke. Sure it was not major but I could not be bothered to even investigate. Lesson learned I use stepdown on both my Japanese 100v TT now. 👍👍👍 Ymmv. |
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