Where to get a step-down transformer?

singemonkey

I've got a computer sound interface with a power supply that takes American (120v right?) voltage. It's fine on my desktop which has a 6-pin firewire connector that provides power - so I don't need the power supply there. But I'd like to use it with my laptop (because my desktop's old and clicks and pops no matter what I do to reduce the cpu load) which has a four-pin firewire connector which would require using the power supply. Does anyone know where I could buy a step down transformer so that the power supply's sucking the right kind of juice?

Alternatively, does anyone know if there's a firewire booster available for 4-pin firewire so that it can provide direct DC power like a 6-pin connection?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as it would save me buying a new desktop in order to have a 6-pin firewire connection attached to a sufficiently powerful processor.

AlanRatcliffe

I'd look at getting a 220V power supply to fit rather than a step-down. Alternatively, check to see if you can get a PCMCIA card that will give you the 6-pin Firewire (which also has much faster transfer rates IINM).

singemonkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I'd look at getting a 220V power supply to fit rather than a step-down. Alternatively, check to see if you can get a PCMCIA card that will give you the 6-pin Firewire (which also has much faster transfer rates IINM).

Thanks for the prompt reply, Alan. Two key questions about the alternative routes:

How do I find the correct power supply (and a sub-question, is there an issue of American 50Hz vs. SA 60Hz?)?

And re the card: This is for a laptop? Is it internal? Are they available from any PC supplier?

Oh, and finally, what does IINM mean? :-[

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote How do I find the correct power supply (and a sub-question, is there an issue of American 50Hz vs. SA 60Hz?)?

Mains frequency isn't a problem - it all gets rectified to DC anyway. If you want the proper thing, speak to the local agents of the soundcard, otherwise you'll have to look around the electronics stores with details of the plug size, output voltage and amperage.

And re the card: This is for a laptop? Is it internal? Are they available from any PC supplier?

PCMCIA is the card slot most laptops have, you can get all kinds of cards for them from modems and network to card readers and audio interfaces, so while I don't know of a specific Firewire card, I would guess there is one readily available. You'll have to google it.

Oh, and finally, what does IINM mean? :-[

If I'm Not Mistaken.

singemonkey

Right. Ta. ?

The laptop card sounds like the best way to go, if it works out. I'll check that out as my first choice. Thanks a bunch.