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A 120V,60Hz Music Box

08/18/2014 9:30 AM

It happens

A 120V,60Hz music box was connected to 230V,50Hz, it stopped working on AC. Fortunately it works on battery, what are the possible faults?

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#1

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 9:45 AM

Something within the AC path has opened up.

If you're willing to open the case, you can begin looking at the AC jack, follow it through the transformer and rectifier and into the conditioner. Checking along the way with a DVM set for resistance will help to locate the open.

Have fun.

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#2

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 9:45 AM

Unreal... you claim to be a graduate of an electrical engineering program and you ask this question?

I know... the magic smoke got released. What do you think the possible damage could have been?

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 9:51 AM

The most significant damage is not inside the boom box.

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 9:57 AM

Boom indeed.

It is possible the damage is inside the box and the fault outside it.

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#5
In reply to #2

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 10:40 AM

The same, as explained by Mr. BDThompson.

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#6

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 10:48 AM

You fried the AC circuit! It shouldn't take someone who, as North of 60 said, is a "Graduate in Electrical & Electronic Engineering 2009" to figure this out.

Cut the AC cord off where it enters the now 1.5/3/6/9.5/12 volt DC music box and throw it away.

Ask for a refund on your educational expenses, you got cheated.

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 10:55 AM

I'll give a GA for that.

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#8
In reply to #7

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/18/2014 12:37 PM

I'd say it depends on how much the music box cost, if you want to try to repair it.

There may be an obvious burnt place in the circuit that can be repaired, if you can get the box opened.

If it is just an inexpensive device it may be hard to open and repair.

Rechargeable batteries may be a better option for you.

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#11
In reply to #6

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/19/2014 4:39 PM

I usually don't care for responses such as this, but in this case.... Very much deserved!

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/19/2014 5:09 PM

Character flaw, I guess.

Diplomacy is not my strong suit.

As I've told everyone who ever worked for me. I want the truth, not what you think I want to hear. I don't know is an acceptable answer.

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#13
In reply to #12

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/19/2014 5:30 PM

I don't know!

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#14
In reply to #13

Re: A 120V,60Hz music box

08/19/2014 6:37 PM

What?

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#9

Re: A 120V,60Hz Music Box

08/19/2014 12:50 AM

On the mains side the box probably has a transformer. If there were a fuse in the primary side, you are lucky:you only have to replace the fuse and buy a 230/120 converter, it will work again. If there were not fuse in the mains circuit you have burnt your transformer. Re-wind is may cost more than the value of the box... This case you can use it from 12 V DC...

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#10
In reply to #9

Re: A 120V,60Hz Music Box

08/19/2014 3:07 AM

As Qqberci said, its most probably a problem with the transformer or fuse. If it turns out to be just the transformer, try and identify it better, how many outputs and what voltage they produced.

If you are lucky, its a single output only and it produces (guessing!) say just around 12 volts AC. Then go an buy a 230V ring Halogen lighting transformer which just happens to be around 12 volts....and replace the original transformer with it!

Bigger is better than too small with transformers. An easy way to decide is to buy one that "weighs" about the same or a bit more than the original....not very technical but it should work!! Especially if replacing a "Boxy" type with a ring core, which are slightly more efficient and make less electrical noise (important with audio!). They should also fit in a similar space with a bit of luck!!

This is only good for a transformer with a single output. All bets are off when there are more than one output....sorry.

Hopefully you are then good to go......a little bit of luck will be also needed of course that the components AFTER the transformer were not damaged by the possible over voltage spike.....

A competent person with electricity/electronics should be able to fault find or simply replace the whole power supply with an quality alternative from say ebay.....

I build my own PSs using some great chips and a circuit published in an electronics mag in 2003....of which I have built several versions (different voltages for different people) over the years, which will supply up to 10 amps (at up to 36 volts DC), in a quality right for audio equipment....remember, cheap Power Supplies may let 50-60Hz through to the amp....not good for audio quality!!!

This is not rocket science, none of it and if you are at least little bit mains AC competent easy, if not, leave it alone. Mains can be deathly..... final!

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#15
In reply to #10

Re: A 120V,60Hz Music Box

08/21/2014 10:40 AM

"to decide is to buy one that "weighs" about the same or a bit more than the original....not very technical but it should work!! Especially if replacing a "Boxy" type with a ring core, which are slightly more efficient and make less electrical noise (important with audio!".

Carefully put.. in layman language.

nicely said sir.

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#16
In reply to #15

Re: A 120V,60Hz Music Box

08/21/2014 10:47 AM

Thank you...

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#17

Re: A 120V,60Hz Music Box

09/02/2014 9:22 AM

After opening I encounter a maze of screws and dropped my exploration further to this

RHS a 0-12V RPS.

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Users who posted comments:

Andy Germany (2); BDThompson (2); hithuanand (4); lyn (3); North of 60 (1); Phys (1); PWSlack (1); Qqberci (1); redfred (2)

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