Converting 220v to 110v in a Yamaha P3200

[fivestringdan]

I was reading about what members were pairing with their F-1x F-2b preamps. Several mentioned older Yamaha power amps. Today I picked up a Yamaha P3200 but the person bought the amp in Saudi Arabia and it's 220v He gave me a step up power converter he used when he returned to the US.

I have the user manual. Half in English and the other half I believe is Japanese.

I want to thank anyone in advance willing to help! I am not an electronic person, I understand a little and willing to learn.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I can, alas, offer no help with your dilemma - but I can offer congratulations on your score, and thus will: Congratulations on your score!


I firmly believe that those P-series Yamahas are the finest power amps ever made; absolutely clean, uncolored power - what comes out is exactly what went in (except, of course, louder).  And of all the amps I ever used as a soundman, the only brand that never crapped out on me mid-gig (or ever).

I predict that are going to be very happy with it.  Right, Wolf?

Peter (who would not want anyone to think his evangelizing for the P-series Yammies in any way detracts from his respect for the newer PS-series.......)

[cozmik_cowboy]

The gremlins got me again!

[fivestringdan]

I can, alas, offer no help with your dilemma - but I can offer congratulations on your score, and thus will: Congratulations on your score!


I firmly believe that those P-series Yamahas are the finest power amps ever made; absolutely clean, uncolored power - what comes out is exactly what went in (except, of course, louder).  And of all the amps I ever used as a soundman, the only brand that never crapped out on me mid-gig (or ever).

I predict that are going to be very happy with it.  Right, Wolf?

Peter (who would not want anyone to think his evangelizing for the P-series Yammies in any way detracts from his respect for the newer PS-series.......)

Thank you! I would love to run it at 220v. Would probably sound great at that voltage.

[JimmyJ]

I agree, nice amps.  I still have an old p2200 which was bashed around on the road for years and still works.

I am not fully qualified to answer your question but I'll offer my thoughts....  It would certainly be nice if the power transformer in your 3200 had a "center tap" which could be used to simply convert it to 120V.  But I doubt you will find that available in the chassis as I imagine they purpose built the different models for different markets.

So you may be stuck using the step-up power converter.  But be sure that converter can handle the current requirements.  You can't use an electric shaver wall-plug type of converter.  It probably needs to be at least 1000W.

Jimmy J

[cozmik_cowboy]

.  It would certainly be nice if the power transformer in your 3200 had a "center tap" which could be used to simply convert it to 120V.  But I doubt you will find that available in the chassis as I imagine they purpose built the different models for different markets.

Jimmy J

The brochure for the line specifies 3 models  of each size - US/Canada models at 120v, 60Hz; Europe models at 230v, 50/60Hz; and AT models at 240v, 50/60Hz.  So no; probably no center tap.

Peter (who would love to be told what an "AT Model" is)

[jacko]

You could always gift it to someone living in a 220 volt country

Graeme

[edwin]

I just looked up the schematic for this amp and it specifies different power transformers for different voltages in different regions. I think Jimmy is right, you'll need to use the step power converter. It's conceivable that you might find a tech who could find a replacement transformer to put in there, but it would be pretty miraculous if you could find one. Worth 30 minutes of googling or calling around to tech familiar with the amps, though.

OTOH, you could always get the current transformer rewound to US voltage. Not sure what that would cost.

[xlrogue6]

Yamaha is better than a lot of companies on support for older units. It's worth a call to their parts department to see if they've got a US transformer lurking about. 888-892-6242.

[fivestringdan]

Yamaha is better than a lot of companies on support for older units. It's worth a call to their parts department to see if they've got a US transformer lurking about. 888-892-6242.

Thank you!

[fivestringdan]

Plugged the amp in with my F-1X pre and Orion fretless. Oh my, works very well. I need to make some banana to speakon speaker cables to try it in stereo and use the crossover on my pre!!