Power Pro 110 to 220 converter attachment

[jswood]

A Shopsmith rep gave a presentation this weekend at Lowes and said that the new Power Pro can be plugged into either 110V or 220V by using a simple adapter. The motor will recognize which current you are plugged into and respond accordingly. I asked Lowes about this adapter and they are not sure what it is. The only thing I can find is a 15 amp to 30 amp RV adapter and am not sure if this is which is needed. Can anyone give me information on this so I can purchase one? What is a source for the adapter. Thanks.

[JPG]

Since the 'cheater' cord you need is 'not to code', there is nowhere to buy it.

You can make it yourself, but in doing so assume all responsibility of its use/misuse.

[benush26]

If you do a search of this site you will find a few adapters. The one thing in common is that they were constructed as a one off.

They vary from short stubby pigtails to cutting off the male end of the power cord or an extension cord, putting on a 240 male plug.

I contacted both Shopsmith and Tekna/nova about Designing and then providing replacement cords similar to what Miller provides for their welder allowing 120/240 usage. Neither company responded... at all!

This January at a computer show in Las Vegas I spoke to a foreign provider of extension cords to the big box stores, etal. For me to have them make a small production run was well beyond my financial safety zone.

I believe after further research you will find that making your own is, at least for the near future, the easiest path.

Others may tell you a simpler way.

The bottom line is understanding that when making one, what MAY look like a 120V piece of cord, MAY have 240 coming out one end and everyone playing with that cord needs to know that. Since the Power Pro already understand that, the unfortunate power tool that doesn't may not appreciate the boost in volts!

Be well,
Ben

[BuckeyeDennis]

A while back, I found some low-cost connectors that could be used to make an adapter that meets code for 15A circuits. Details can be found in this post.

[videobear]

The safest thing to do is to replace the 120 plug on the Shopsmith with a 220 plug, permanently. If you just must have the option, put a plug on the Shopsmith end that does not match ANY wall socket, then make two patch cords, with female ends to match the Shopsmith end and a male end for the appropriate wall socket.

[ChrisNeilan]

The safest thing to do is to replace the 120 plug on the Shopsmith with a 220 plug, permanently. If you just must have the option, put a plug on the Shopsmith end that does not match ANY wall socket, then make two patch cords, with female ends to match the Shopsmith end and a male end for the appropriate wall socket.

Good idea, and use a heavy gauge wire...

[JPG]

Unless very long, it does not need to be 'heavy' if used at 230v. Cannot hurt however.

[dusty]

Unless you have reason to believe that you will be "frequently" switching back and forth between 110vac and 220vac, I would simply install the appropriate plug on the PowerPro and skip the adapter.

[jsburger]

Unless you have reason to believe that you will be "frequently" switching back and forth between 110vac and 220vac, I would simply install the appropriate plug on the PowerPro and skip the adapter.

I absolutely agree. That is the only safe to do it. If you are going to run it on 220V then put a 220V plug on it.

As has been mentioned before, the adapters are not available for safety reasons and are against code.

Just change the plug on the PP and get on with it. After all that is exactly what SS says.

[rcplaneguy]

Why plug into 220? I thought the PP was supposed to be very powerful, on regular 110.