Model Railway Forum

Help and Advice needed

I have just purchased a 'Hammant & Morgan' 'Duette' from the US. I am currently using the same model which I have had for a number of years. When the one from the US arrived it had a sticker on it 'INPUT 120 VOLTS AC'. My current transformer is 'INPUT 220-240 VOLTS AC'. In Australia it is 240 Volts and I was just going to put an Australian plug on the new unit, however, the sticker on the new panel indicating 120 Volts has given me cause for concern. Can anyone tell me if the controllers sold to the US are modified to only accept 120 V and if so am I able to somehow convert the 120 to 240 Volts.

The US version will need a 240 to 120v converter to use it in Australia otherwise if you change the plug & plug it into Aust mains, bang will go the H&M

https://www.jaycar.com.au/50va-240vac-t ... r/p/MF1091
https://www.wallcann.com.au/100w-step-d ... re=default

are just a couple of sites

On no account plug the H & M into your mains power sockets.The transformer will blow. Use the converters as listed above or take it to a specialist who may be able to convert it back to 220/240 volt direct operation, as often the primary winding (Mains side) of the transformer is dual wound and in parallel the two are for use on 110 volts, but if rewired in series they can then be then used on 220/240 volts.

Thanks Ron and Brian for the advice.H&M must have produced these solely for the US market then.The controller is "As new" and I would guess it hasn't been used ,mint condition. It is exactly the same as the one I have had for a number of years in all aspects apart from this sticky label over the input details.Will purchase step-down transformer until I can find a suitable electrician that can modify it.Thanks again guys.