Importing from Japan with the voltage difference...

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm planning to import an MD unit from Japan, with the N10 or DR7. Would the voltage difference (100 in Japan and 120 in US) be a problem? Would it damage the unit in anyway immediately or on the long run? Would I need to get some kind of an adapter?

[me]

Apparently it doesn't, but I wouldn't risk it. If it doesn't fry the unit, it may fry the battery.

[BJ]

Actually, I'm reviving this thread, as I'm currently waiting for a Panasonic '220 (yay, me!) to arrive. Has anybody had experience with the 100v/120v difference?

Minidisco says there shouldn't be a problem, but I'd like a couple more opinions before I plug it in. For example--will it fry the unit or mains? Will the battery blow up? Will my house burn down in the night, leaving nothing behind by my cat and my tank-like Sharp '702?

I can pick up an adapter at Radio Shack, but I think the 220 takes 1.6v, and the adapter is only 1.5v. Will it still work? Or am I once again setting myself up for the house-burning-down scenario?

Any input will be greatly appreciated, thanx!

[BJ]

Okie-doke. At the risk of answering myself and sounding like a lunatic, here's my experience.

I tried the Panasonic with its original 100v adapter in my 120v wall outlet. No problem at all, but the MD has been used quite a bit and the battery is not too reliable (they only get about 300 charges before they die anyway). I went to a battery outlet for a spare, and grilled the technician who was there. Here's what I got out of him:

US current averages 115v, not 120 as advertised. The 15v difference is shrugged off by the AC adapter--Minidisco is correct in asserting that AC adapters are built to handle a wide fluxuation in AC power. What the adapter does, no matter what the AC input is, is feed the constant 1.8v DC (or whatever they convert to) to the MD unit. Like a firewall.

I've had good results charging my Japanese unit with its own AC adapter plugged into a 120v US outlet, and the tech at the store was positive I can't possibly damage the MD recorder or its battery by doing so.

Your results may vary--this is just what I've managed to find out and experiment with.