Do I need a step-down converter for US HOB filter, here in the UK?

[JackDemetriou]

Hello,
I got the Fluval C4 HOB Filter from Amazon, not realising it was a US product. I am wondering how I can safely run this here in the UK? Do I need a step-down converter plug, or will a simple plug adapter be okay?

 

[WVNed]

Since it involves a motor in the pump I wouldn't recommend it. AC motor speed is determined by the frequency of the power. It is 60Hz here and 50 there so even if you got a voltage converter it would run slower and not make the rated flow.
No you can not plug a motor rated for 110v into 230V with a plug adapter.

I would return it.

 

[JackDemetriou]

Since it involves a motor in the pump I wouldn't recommend it. AC motor speed is determined by the frequency of the power. It is 60Hz here and 50 there so even if you got a voltage converter it would run slower and not make the rated flow.
No you can not plug a motor rated for 110v into 230V with a plug adapter.

I would return it.

I saw that on the website for the filter, it lists both 110V 60Hz and 240 50Hz. Would it still be okay to use here in the UK? I have contacted Fluval directly but waiting to here back.

 

[WVNed]

I looked at the manual on Fluvals website. I didn't find anything

I really don't know. If it's just an AC motor it would work with a voltage conversion but wouldn't run as fast. What that would do to the filters performance? I don't know that either.
If you want to use it you are going to have to see what they say.

 

[JackDemetriou]

I looked at the manual on Fluvals website. I didn't find anything

I really don't know. If it's just an AC motor it would work with a voltage conversion but wouldn't run as fast. What that would do to the filters performance? I don't know that either.
If you want to use it you are going to have to see what they say.

 

[WVNed]

I you go to Fluvals website these filter do not appear on the UK page. I would think they would be there if they would work.

 

[Red_Beard]

Those are probable separate options you see in the manual. The motor pops off of the housing, I bet they sell 2 versions the us and U.K. but they are not interchangeable. I would send it back. Worst case if they don’t take returns you could get a 240/50hz motor and swap just that.

 

[JackDemetriou]

Those are probable separate options you see in the manual. The motor pops off of the housing, I bet they sell 2 versions the us and U.K. but they are not interchangeable. I would send it back. Worst case if they don’t take returns you could get a 240/50hz motor and swap just that.

I cannot see a UK version on their website. I do like the filter though, but they don't seem to have an equivalent here in the UK.

 

[theMeat]

Motors have a range they can operate within. If it doesn’t say on the motor itself, or in the manual, would wait to hear back from fluval

 

[Red_Beard]

Found an amazon post of someone who plugged it in with an adaptor and said it let the magic smoke out and quit working within minutes. FWIW