V -amp Power supply issue & Meteoro guitar amps

Skywalker

Howzit everyone 8)

I'm just about to purchase a 2nd hand Vamp2 from some dude and need some/help info with a power supply issue.
The guy bought it in the states so obviouslly the power supply aint gonna work here.
Would I be able to just pick up a behringer power supply for the vamp here and use that? If I can, does anyone know where the best place is to pick one up in the Cape Town area?

I'm also looking at this amp(which is part of the vamp "package") Anyone heard of them? They're apparently quite popular in Mexico where this dude is from.

http://www.amplificadoresmeteoro.com.br/site_english/
http://cybermusicalinstruments.com/meteoro-e-guitar-combo-simulator-chorus-100-100-watt-rms-1-speaker-30-cm-overdrive-rewerb-chorus-tremolo-footswitch-p-78.html

FenderBender

I checked all the docs I could find and there is no mention of what supply voltage the V-Amp 2 requires. It is a discontinued model so you would more than likely have to have a power supply made up locally or swap out the transformer in the existing supply.

Skywalker

Howzit Graeme.

Thanks for that. I saw that it has been disscontinued which is why I was a bit worried. I've managed to source a 2 pin power supply through the Behringer agents. I must just get the cost from the guys down here. If all else fails I know where to come ?

Hope you're keeping well mate.

Shotto 8)

Skywalker

Right!!!

So the behringer agent got back to me this morning and a compatible power supply for the vamp 2 is going to cost me a WOPPING R850 ??? Not a chance in hell i'm gonna shell out the cash for that.

Is there some kind of converter commercially available so I could actually use this thing? Or is there a "universal" power supply one could use without damaging the unit? :-\

AlanRatcliffe

Skywalker wrote Is there some kind of converter commercially available so I could actually use this thing? Or is there a "universal" power supply one could use without damaging the unit? :-\

You can always get a step down transformer and use the US power supply. Otherwise, you will almost certainly find a power supply that will work, but you need to know what voltage and amperage the stock unit is. From the pics I can see that it uses an AC supply and would guess that it'll be 12 or 18V. Ask the seller to take a look at (or photograph) the label of the PSU.

I'll be honest though - these things are pretty easy to find locally (even the rackmount V-Amp Pro) and even new were not expensive. I remember stores selling them out at under 1K new, so you should see them pop up much cheaper than that on Gumtree. Anyway - if the V-Amp is 110V, isn't the amp also 110V?

Skywalker

Alan

Thats good to know that I can use a "generic" power supply if the supplier knows the specs. Any idea who I can call? I pm'd Graeme aswell. I'll hear what he says too.

Funilly enough the amp has a little switch on the back to select either 110V or 220V. When I tried it out it was obviously set to 220V and had a normal 3 pin plug on it and it worked ok ? Do voltages differ in the USA and Mexico(where the amp came from)?

The bottom line for me really is the R1700 price tag this guy has on BOTH the amp and the vamp2. It seems like a sweet deal. The amp sounds decent and although I do have the Vamp pro, I'm always in different places so to have a guitar and the vamp2 handy wherever I may be seems like a pretty cool idea 8)

Gearhead

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_systems

FenderBender

The power socket on the V-Amp 2 looked rather strange IIRC.

I see three options:
1. Use a stepdown transformer - bulky but an easy solution.
2. Get the specs and find a local equivalent - you might need to use the existing jack and lead.
3. If it contains a transformer, have someone check out the existing transformer and pop in a local 230v unit for you.

Decisions can be made once we have an idea of the specs and type of power supply.

Hope this helps

Skywalker

Thanks for the help guys ?

Graeme, I'll give you a shout and make a turn there when I've got a bit of time spare.

Attila

I have a Vamp2 too so if you want me to measure anything on the transformer pins ect, just shout

Attila

Skywalker

Attila wrote I have a Vamp2 too so if you want me to measure anything on the transformer pins ect, just shout

Attila

Hey Attila. Thanks mate. ?
I'm going to see Graeme in the next few days or so aswell. I'll give you a shout if we get stuck.

Shotto 8)

FenderBender

The PSU in question has two outputs: 11VAC and 20VAC. I decided to open it, hoping to find extra tappings on the primary for 230V.
After removing the screws, I was unable to open the case without damaging it as it was glued closed, so I sent Skywalker off to Eloff transformers in Montague Gardens. They are going to cut the PSU open and rewind the primary for 230V. Apparently it is something they do regularly.

Skywalker

Power supply sorted. Thanks to Graeme and Eloff Transformers :dance:

Let the midnight jamming begin :bopping: