electricity

[mrsmurphey]

next year I am going on a cruise and need to take my nebuliser, but the ship runs on 60hz and my nebuliser is 50hz. will I be able to use it? Can some knowledgeable person advise me?

[redman41]

mrsmurphey !
Go to your nearest Maplins Store and explain to the Sales Team that you need a Stepdown Voltage converter so that you can run an UK appliance on 110v/60htz supply. It needs to be lightweight as you will have to carry it with you aboard ship and back again.

[beso]

The question is about frequency not voltage. But the voltage is important becuase if that is radically wrong it can either burn out the applinance (too high() or not run (too low). You need to check the voltage too.

Some devices do not care much so much about frequency but it is complicated. Some devices will draw more current if the frequency is lower than spec. The fact that it specifies frequency suggests it may be affected.

If both the frequency and voltage is reduce in proportion it will often be OK but it may run slower on low frequency.

Post everything from the specification about the device. Also its brand and model. Also can you determine if the nebuliser seems to vibrate in a similar way to an aquarium air pump if you know what one of them is like.

[mrsmurphey]

. Hope t6his info helps

[mrsmurphey]

thanks beso for your answer. My neb is a Travelnebplus f1000 AND DOES VIBRATE. iT RUNS ON 240V/60HZ AND THE SHIP IS 229V/60HZ Hope this info helps

[redman41]

If it is an American Cruise ship you are going on the Voltage will probably be 110 volt/60htz and not 229 Volts as you state. If I were you I would check this out again with your Cruise Line Company.
What is the name of the Cruise Liner that you are going on ?

[mrsmurphey]

hoello redman the answer is 220v/60hz and the ship is Ocean Princess of the Princess Line

[redman41]

Your best bet mrsmurphey is to contact Princess Cruise Line and ask if they provide Nebuliser services aboard ship. Maybe the Medical Staff have one you can use during the Cruise.
I doubt if your Nebuliser will work properly on 220Volt/60Htz

[mrsmurphey]

Princess Cruises have sent me a letter telling me to ask the manufacturers but they have not proved at all helpful so just stuck, but hoped someone had haD the same trouble

[dipee65]

mrsmurphey - As far as I can tell, from a specification I have seen on the web, the nebuliser is fed via a mains adaptor. Many, but not all, adaptors are rated at 50/60Hz. Have a look at your mains adaptor and check. If it's 50/60Hz you should have no problem using it on the ship. If it's 50Hz it will still PROBABLY be ok, but you should still check with supplier/manufacturer

[beso]

From this page it looks like it actually runs on 12 volts.
http://www.westonshea...Catalogue-NEB91Q.html

There are two basic types of mains adaptor.
Transformers which are quite heavy and Switch Mode which are quite light.

Switch mode are really tolerant of voltage and don't care in the slightest about frequency. Often they will work from less then 100 volts to 250 volts and frequencies from DC (zero hertz) to 400 hertz.

The transformer types are fairly particular about voltage and the supplied adaptior is probably one of these.
Changing form 240 to 220 on the transformer type means it will only supply eleven volts instead of twelve.
However the increase in frequency from 50 to 60 Hertz will lower the magnetisation of the transformer and this will likely further reduce the output voltage.

You can be sure it won't damage the transformer or the nebuliser but it is probably going to run slower. It depends on the technology in the pump. It may even work normally.

However since you health depends on it I would be looking for a reliable replacement. I would suggest a switch mode type for maximum versatility.

Check out the markings on the transformer.
Aside from the 12 volts there are usually markings showing a number of Amps rated for the output.
This matters a lot.
There will often be mA for the input rating but this doesn't matter.

As switch mode adaptors are so light they are usually very powerful but you need to be sure it will do the rated current. You need one that will do at least as much Amps as the original.
You will also need to determine the output polarity (the orientation of plus and minus). Get this wrong and it can wreck the nebuliser.

[beso]

Also the exact size of the connector. There are many and to the inexpereinced eye can look the same. Many have a round connector and the hole in the middle comes in several variants. One common variety has a hole either 2.1 millimetre or a 2.5 millimetres. A loose connection leads to unrelaibility.

Electronics hobbiest shops are the best place to get one. Usually the staff will help choose the right one.

Hope this helps.

[mrsmurphey]

after reading all your replies, I am even more muddled. All this detail is too too technical for my very old brain. I just keep hoping that someone with a similar neb can read my request and give me a simple answer.