Rewiring 2 120V legs to one 240V leg for oven elements

Hi. Sorry to be the one to tell you this, but to my opinion I think you will be better off buying a new oven/microwave. Store the old one for the day you move back to the States, then you sell the new one or bless a friend with it. The time and effort plus the costs of the heavy duty step down inverter.... Then if something goes wrong you will end up buying a new oven anyway and then you have the step down inverter -expensive paperweight. Good luck on the decision.

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

Buying a new oven is always a solution, but I was wondering if my idea stated above will work. If any of you have any opinions please let me know. Lambros

Have you thought about the lite bulb,transformers and other low voltage wiring and USA appliances are made for different cycle. Sell it or store it for you may have foregotten the low volt transformers and circuit board and clock.

Why off topic?

Certainly for major appliances, I agree.

On the other hand, many devices (including the Mac I'm typing on) now come with power supplies rated for 100-240VAC 50/60 Hz. Such devices should work almost anywhere. These devices also are very forgiving on wave shape. I've used this Mac many hours in my car, powered by a cheap 12V inverter with a square-wave output.

Hopefully, the vast majority of people reading this forum are capable of reading (and some level of understanding) the power requirements on their electrical devices...

I felt it was easier for all concerned to err on the side of safety.

Naturally there are some devices that will work anywhere.....your example was excellent.

I'm not sure but i think you have to consider the hrz of us 60 and overseas being 50

Hello all and thanks for your replies.

The topic here was the attached ckt and possible rewiring.

The reason I started this topic was to get your opinions and share with you my and your thoughts after you study and evaluate the ckt.

So please if you can read the ckt and have any opinions on my idea regarding supplying the element with direct 240V, please reply and comment on this thread.

Kindly, Lambros

Unfortunately, your diagram isn't quite readable at CR4's standard resolution. Also unfortunately, most of us don't understand how a couple of people have succeeded in posting much higher resolution images.

If you succeed without blowing something, I'll be most surprised! A 1500W transformer is marginal at best for most microwave ovens.

I agree with the others: store it and buy a new unit. Your life just might depend on it!

From what I see of the circuit L1&L2 is the 240 v supply. your 240 v supply is the same thing! Wether one leg is "neutral" doesn't matter to the heater elements. I would keep the 240 (L1 & L2) as 240 and resupply the electronic control. I think I see another control transformer for the electronics (center of diagram?) either change this or supply 120v from another transformer. As to the micro wave can't see enough!

What everyone says is correct if you do changes and happen to have a fire, guess who doesn't have insurance coverage. All of these appliances have to go thru testing for safety and you would be short circuiting that all out. For an exoeriment in a shop (controlled conditions) maybe OK, but at home with the smarter half and the young ones NOT OK.

Personally I cannot read the diagram well enough to be helpful....sorry.

As DKWarner, and others, have mentioned, you life may hang on not doing this.

May I offer... unless you live in a fully self contained fully detached housing unit, you may be putting the life of others at risk as well. This you do not have the right to do.

Standards for electrical products were implemented to protect the silent majority from people who tinker.

If your residence is fully stand-alone... then the risk you take is yours to take. If you live in an attached dwelling unit, such as an apartment or row housing, you must not ask others to assume that risk on your behalf.

His house insurance will be null and void if anything happens too.....that might be the least of his problems!!

I nwould like to remind you of an old Southern German saying, translated by me of course:-

• "He saves money no matter what it costs!"
  

Hello all....it seems that it is hard to read the ckt due to the resolution. I will try to post a better one. Meanwhile...and as I said before...I started this thread in order to discuss an electrical matter. I am not trying to save money or anything like that. I am an Engineer and I don't like giving up as easy as some of you guys. I expected more professional answers than the above comments!!! Thanks again to those who tried to help.

Well...

This may be a place to get more information: http://www.fixya.com/support/whirlpool

I am not certain they will be as enthusiastic about your project as you are, but maybe.