oops - 115V appliance into a 240V wall plug

Submitted: Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:10

ThreadID: 51065 Views:4215 Replies:12 FollowUps:6

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portlester

Hi guys
Just wondering how I'm going to tell the wife about this one.

Her US based aunty has sent us a MagicVac Maxima vacuum sealer as a present. Being a bit overly keen/naive/stupid (you pick which one) I plugged it into the wall (using a plug converter), not thinking about the US 115V v Aus 240V difference.

The power light came on (& stayed on) but the pump worked for less than a second before it stopped. Then it twigged that I shouldn't have done that (probably should add slow to the description of me above).

Hopefully I'll find a step down transformer at work tomorrow to confirm the damage, but in the meantime

Have I fried the vacuum sealer? and if so is it likely to be able to be repaired (hopefully cheaper than the cost of a new one).

Also any hints on how I can tell the missus about this one?

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Reply By: Hoyks - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:17

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:17

Did the magic smoke escape?

Have a look at the manual an see what it says. Some appliances have a wide range of voltage they will work with. I have see some markes as 115/250V AC.

There may also be a fuse inside that could have saved you.

When in doubt, consult the manual. I know it goes against years of training as a man, but sometimes you just have to

AnswerID: 269023

Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 12:02

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 12:02

Hoyks,

What rubbish! The situation he described is nowhere near desperate enough to warrant reading the instructions.

Matt.

FollowupID: 531926

Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:18

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:18

Is there a fuse on the device? If not, then you've most likely stuffed the vacuum pump motor. Sorry to bring bad tidings.
The heat sealer will probably be ok if you didn't operate that, otherwise that will go quickly as well.
Even if there is no external fuse, there may be one lurking in the guts, requiring removal of the cover. Worth a check.
Gerry

AnswerID: 269024

Reply By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:21

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:21

There could be a fuse or an internal, or even external switch to 250V

AnswerID: 269025

Reply By: Member - Longtooth (SA) - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:22

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:22

Don't tell her! Plug it in and say "The bugger won't work". You might get away with it.

AnswerID: 269026

Reply By: PradOz - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:25

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:25

two choices as i see it

1 - stick it back in the box, nicely packed back in, tape it up and act dumb when asking if it comes with a warranty when she unwraps it and she finds it doesnt work when she plugs it in

or

2 - bite the bullet and get ready for the you know what followed by the years of reminders at every xmas, birthday party etc you go to when you tell her it was your fault.

yeah i feel your pain but think you should take it like a man. (but i do like option 1 a lot more each time i look back at it)

AnswerID: 269027

Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:30

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:30

There's no doubt it's stuffed.

Don't tell her you plugged it in, tell her you searched on the net and that model suffers from that common "eye dee ten tee" fault.

That's I D 10 T

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
- Augustus McCrae (Lonesome Dove)

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AnswerID: 269028

Reply By: 96 GXL 80 series - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:47

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:47

First up ask your wife are the medical benefits up to date?

Make sure she has nothing in her hands that will hurt.

Make sure she has her high heels on and you your runners, and on the way out the door running tell her.

PS. Leave it for a month or so before coming home.

Good Luck.

AnswerID: 269032

Reply By: 96 GXL 80 series - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:47

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:47

AnswerID: 269034

Follow Up By: 96 GXL 80 series - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:49

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 22:49

I meant to say give her a kiss on the cheek first and say Hi Hon.

This might be the last for awhile.

FollowupID: 531852

Follow Up By: 96 GXL 80 series - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:04

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:04

or should it be Bye Hon

FollowupID: 531857

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:51

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:51

I'll ask the obvious question:

How did you plug a 115v appliance into a 240v system?

If it went in to a normal GPO ok, then it must be made for 240v.....unless somethings not normal.

Andrew

AnswerID: 269039

Follow Up By: 96 GXL 80 series - Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:56

Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 23:56

I plugged it into the wall (using a plug converter),

He said the above.
you must have over looked it.

FollowupID: 531872

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 00:10

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 00:10

yep, i overlooked that bit.......

Andrew

FollowupID: 531873

Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 10:18

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 10:18

I can't believe they sent you a 110v device without thinking..It's certainly not your fault, it's the senders..!

AnswerID: 269086

Reply By: obee - Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 10:43

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 10:43

Speaking hypothetically;

Just about anything that pulls a hefty current these days has a little in line thermal fuse. They are hard to find the first time u look but an electrician will find it on the active wire. It will be that fattened section with the heat shrink covering the device and the join. Once the electrician gets it out, he will l read on it the temperature rating and he will buy one for a couple of dollars at an electrical hardware shop.

This not advice to actually follow the instructions. You will need a qualified electrician to do the job and protect you from electocution and me from liability.

Owen

AnswerID: 269091

Reply By: portlester - Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 18:19

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 18:19

Thanks guys

Took it to work today to get someone with a bit more grey matter than me to take a look. Unfortunately it has no fuse inside & I have fried, at least, the circuit board.

After picking himself off the floor from laughing, my expert(?) has said he will take a quick look to see if there is anything he can do.

I've also rang the Aussie suppliers, and the worst case scenario to get it fixed has us still paying less than the cost of a new one (at least the aunty won't find out this way).

I also did the brave thing and fessed up to the wife. Luckily I'm wasn't planning on having any more kids, so once the bruises disappear you will hardly notice that anything is missing down there :)

Now what else can I find to play with around the house ...

AnswerID: 269155