Shopsmith Forums

I have a Mk V and will be moving to Germany this fall where the voltage is 220-240 Volt and 60 Hertz. And the SS is the first thing the movers will be packing, selling it before we move is not an option!

Transformers are available, but I was wondering if there is a way for the Mk V to run on 220? The data plate says 120, so I'm assuming a new headstock with a 220V motor would be needed.

Just casting this out there. Thanks!

Carl

woodshopflunky wrote:I have a Mk V and will be moving to Germany this fall where the voltage is 220-240 Volt and 60 Hertz. And the SS is the first thing the movers will be packing, selling it before we move is not an option!

Transformers are available, but I was wondering if there is a way for the Mk V to run on 220? The data plate says 120, so I'm assuming a new headstock with a 220V motor would be needed.

Just casting this out there. Thanks!

Carl

The GE and AO Smith 3/4 HP & 1 1/8 HP motors can be internally rewired to accept 220 VAC input Voltage in place of 110 VAC. I can rewire either of these motors for 220 VAC only or for an additional fee, I can rewire the motors to accept either 120 VAC or 220 VAC by reconnecting numbered motor wires and changinging the power plug. Contact me if interested. I can rewire your motor or supply a motor already converted. I can add a reverse capability to these motor.

What year is your Mk V and what brand is the electric motor?

Many, but not all, of the electric motors can be disassembled and rewired to make them reversible and/or run off of 220 volts.

The motors have one start winding and two run windings. If you reverse the polarity of the start winding with respect to the run windings, the motor will run the other way.

For 110 volts, the two run windings are connected in parallel. For 220 volts, the two run windings are connected in series.

Here is a link giving a basic explanation generic to AC induction motors - not specific to Shopsmith motors.

Here is a link to a thread showing how I re-wired my Shopsmith to make it reversible. I did not rewire it to make it operate off of 220 volts, but the thread will show you pictures of the inside of the motor and the type of work required. Some brands of motors that Shopsmith has used through the years can be modified, and others can not be modified because when you take them apart, the ends of the run and start windings are buried inside where you can't get to them.

There are others on the forum here who have much more experience in this subject than I. I'm sure they will be along shortly to help you out.

P.S. Not only does Bill know more than me, he types faster too!

If an Emerson motor - no way:(

Maybe this is the excuse for a power pro upgrade!;)

I lived over seas in Europe between England & Greece over 10 years. I would get huge 5,000 watt or 10,000 watt transformers and convert people's home- at least their outlets to 110/120- 50% of the input voltage. The only problem I ever found was with synchronous motors which the line frequency determines the speed- like in clocks. Every clock with a 60 hertz clock would run 6 minutes or so slower on 50 hertz (cycles) which is used over there.

We used transformers for everything. GI's would simply pass them down to new people as they rotated in. External transformers are a way of life overseas as you have more than a Shopsmith to power. Many new electronic items will automatically sense the voltage and you'll never know the difference.

You'l send a small fortune in conversion and then reconverting back or simply use a transformer. Most devices we use have transformers in them anyhow- we just can't see them.

I lived over seas in Europe between England & Greece over 10 years. I would get huge 5,000 watt or 10,000 watt transformers and convert people's home- at least their outlets to 110/120- 50% of the input voltage. The only problem I ever found was with synchronous motors which the line frequency determines the speed- like in clocks. Every clock with a 60 hertz clock would run 6 minutes or so slower on 50 hertz (cycles) which is used over there.

We used transformers for everything. GI's would simply pass them down to new people as they rotated in. External transformers are a way of life overseas as you have more than a Shopsmith to power. Many new electronic items will automatically sense the voltage and you'll never know the difference.

You'l send a small fortune in conversion and then reconverting back or simply use a transformer. Most devices we use have transformers in them anyhow- we just can't see them.

woodshopflunky wrote:I have a Mk V and will be moving to Germany this fall where the voltage is 220-240 Volt and 60 Hertz. And the SS is the first thing the movers will be packing, selling it before we move is not an option!

Transformers are available, but I was wondering if there is a way for the Mk V to run on 220? The data plate says 120, so I'm assuming a new headstock with a 220V motor would be needed.

Just casting this out there. Thanks!

Carl

Depending on what you have a DIY PowerPro upgrade can be a reasonablely cost effective solution. It runs 110/220 by just plugging it in to a plug adapter (like a laptop). If you sell the left over parts the cost is way less than you would expect.

Also note that Germany has 50 hertz/cycles, not 60 hertz which means a 60 hertz motor runs slower there than it would on 60 hertz. And the motor likely will run hotter and that can lead to overheating if you're not careful.

Wow, thanks for all the information. I think a plug in type transformer is the easiest/most cost effective option.

Will it "hurt" the SS? I'm not worried about the other appliances, just the 1996 SS Mk V!

It's initially a 3 year assimgment, but if we like it we might stay longer.

woodshopflunky wrote:Wow, thanks for all the information. I think a plug in type transformer is the easiest/most cost effective option.

Will it "hurt" the SS? I'm not worried about the other appliances, just the 1996 SS Mk V!

It's initially a 3 year assimgment, but if we like it we might stay longer.

The lower frequency will cause it to run slower and possibly hotter. Just watch temp rise.