Technics Turntables Owners Thread

[cafe latte]

12 hours ago, stevoz said:

 

The sticker on the back of the unit only mentions 100V, not 240V so I think I'll use the transformer @ 100V to be safe.....so I just not worry about the green wire then? That's still the crux of my inquiry.

Tes because it is for the home market but all have a switch mode power supply. What do thr instructions say?

The green wire is earth

Chris

[Darryl]

44 minutes ago, cafe latte said:

Tes because it is for the home market but all have a switch mode power supply. What do thr instructions say?

The green wire is earth

Chris

Given SMPS, couldn't you just use an Australian kettle cord rather than the Japanese supplied one?

And even if you use a stepdown, couldn't you use an Australian kettle cord assuming the transformer has an input that fits.

I'm not an electrician, just curious to know.

[Warren Jones]

20 hours ago, stevoz said:

Seeking a word of advice.....I have set up my new Japan sourced 100V Technics TT and am about to plug the supplied power lead into the step down transformer but have noticed that there is a small, I assume, ground wire coming out of the 'plug in' end (similar to the example in the photo below) and was wondering if I have to attach that to anything (likely on the transformer) before powering up the TT or if it can be just left as is?

 

NB: The connector on the end of the wire on my plug has a removable protective plastic cover on it.

 

Also NB: I also can't see anything on the transformer that I could connect this wire to.....so I am assuming it can be just left as is.

 

 

 

If the Turntable is Class 1  by law it MUST be earthed. Failure to do so will only be a problem if your house burns down or someone get electrocuted. Class 1 is earthed and Class 2 is double insulated, in Aus Class 2 equipment has a Box in a Box symbol on the label. If that symbol is not there the equipment is deemed to be Class 1 and MUST be earthed to the distribution board.

 

It's not illegal to use a stepdown Tx to convert 240 to 110/100V but the equipment MUST adhere to to the relevant safety standards.

[stevoz]

5 hours ago, cafe latte said:

Tes because it is for the home market but all have a switch mode power supply. What do thr instructions say?

The green wire is earth

Chris

 

The instructions are in Japanese.....but I downloaded an English language 'Operating Instructions' for the SL1200GR2 and it says, under the heading 'AC mains lead':

 

"To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or product damage, 

      -ensure that the power supply voltage corresponds to the voltage printed on this unit.".....which in the case of my TT is printed on the back as 100V.

 

It also says further down the page:

 

"- An apparatus with Class 1 construction shall be connected to the mains socket outlet with a protective earth connection." which alludes to what @Warren Jones says above in his post. Now I am really confused.....

 

I have noticed on the transformer (after initially stating that there was nothing on the transformer that the green earth wire could be connected to) that under the two upper plug pin slots there is a slightly larger hole, square at the bottom, rounded at the top, in a similar position to where the earth pin on an Australian three pin power point would be.....is that indeed a earthing point? I think I am going to contact Tortech and ask them about this.

 

 

[andyr]

Aah, the hassles of buying gear designed for the US or Japan mains power 

.

 

[stevoz]

17 minutes ago, andyr said:

Aah, the hassles of buying gear designed for the US or Japan mains power 

.

 

 

Indeed!

 

My new 100V amp doesn't have one of those STUPID green leads on its power cord.....I just plugged it straight into the transformer socket and way it went with no problems at all.

 

Why wouldn't the TT just be the same?

[Warren Jones]

2 hours ago, stevoz said:

 

Indeed!

 

My new 100V amp doesn't have one of those STUPID green leads on its power cord.....I just plugged it straight into the transformer socket and way it went with no problems at all.

 

Why wouldn't the TT just be the same?

 

Because equipment must be compliant with Australian electrical safety standards.

 

I will work perfectly until the device has a fault it may not trip the breaker and could cause electrocution.

[Warren Jones]

3 hours ago, stevoz said:

 

The instructions are in Japanese.....but I downloaded an English language 'Operating Instructions' for the SL1200GR2 and it says, under the heading 'AC mains lead':

 

"To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or product damage, 

      -ensure that the power supply voltage corresponds to the voltage printed on this unit.".....which in the case of my TT is printed on the back as 100V.

 

It also says further down the page:

 

"- An apparatus with Class 1 construction shall be connected to the mains socket outlet with a protective earth connection." which alludes to what @Warren Jones says above in his post. Now I am really confused.....

 

I have noticed on the transformer (after initially stating that there was nothing on the transformer that the green earth wire could be connected to) that under the two upper plug pin slots there is a slightly larger hole, square at the bottom, rounded at the top, in a similar position to where the earth pin on an Australian three pin power point would be.....is that indeed a earthing point? I think I am going to contact Tortech and ask them about this.

 

 

 

The stepdown Tx should have a 3 pin socket with a ROUND earth pin. You should purchase the correct power lead with round earth pin.

[stevoz]

23 minutes ago, Warren Jones said:

 

The stepdown Tx should have a 3 pin socket with a ROUND earth pin. You should purchase the correct power lead with round earth pin.

 

I have read that US plugs are the same as Japanese plugs but with an added earth pin. Is this correct?

 

If so, I could get a US C13 lead?

 

This is the plug socket on my TorTech transformer......would a US 3 pin plug fit this socket?

 

 

 

[andyr]

1 minute ago, stevoz said:

 

This is the plug socket on my TorTech transformer......would a US 3 pin plug fit this socket?

 

 

 

 

Can I suggest TorTech is the best place to ask your question.

 

[stevoz]

1 minute ago, andyr said:

 

Can I suggest TorTech is the best place to ask your question.

 

 

Yes, I have sent TorTech an enquiry regarding this dilemma.

[stevoz]

Update on the Technics SL1200GR2 power plug 'to earth or not to earth' issue. 

 

Tortech have replied to my enquiry and said the following:

 

Depends on which model transformer you have, ISOLATION or AUTO. (or Non Isolation)

The label should tell you, also Auto has a A in the part number at end SD110-1010A, Isolation does not.

 

If Isolation, you would not need to connect the earth wire, as the transformer provides safety.

 

If it's an Auto type, you should Earth it.

 

There is more but that's all I need to know as, thankfully my transformer, as one can see from the previously posted photo IS an 'ISOLATION' model!

 

Halleluiah! I can finally plug it in and check it out tonight. I have the next three days off.....so it's going to get a thrashing!

 

Thank you one and all for your advice, especially @sounhqr who has private messaged me with the some advice relating to his experience with Japanese equipment and it's use with his Tortech transformer and some info today which pretty much said what TorTech told me. 

 

Onward and upward!

Edited October 11, 2024 by stevoz

[Ahh- Schnoo Schnoo]

3 minutes ago, stevoz said:

 

 

 

Halleluiah! I can finally plug it in and check it out tonight. I have the next three days off.....so it's going to get a thrashing!

 

 

Enjoy mate

[April Snow]

3 hours ago, Ahh- Schnoo Schnoo said:

Enjoy mate

We know this feeling don't we 

[stevoz]

13 minutes ago, April Snow said:

We know this feeling don't we 

 

I soon will!

 

Having a late dinner.....then a movie (I'm a man of habit).....then Technics fun!

[andyr]

42 minutes ago, April Snow said:

We know this feeling don't we 

 

So does your Technics require a step-down, Sue?

 

[April Snow]

4 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

So does your Technics require a step-down, Sue?

 

No I purchased mine here - but it was made in Japan ....................I was only referring to the joy of spinning on one 

[andyr]

1 minute ago, April Snow said:

No I purchased mine here - but it was made in Japan ....................I was only referring to the joy of spinning on one 

 

That's great that you did the right thing and bought from an Oz retailer.  

 

But given other people's input on this thread (that it has an SMPS) ... maybe Steve doesn't actually need to use a step-down?  (Merely change the mains plug - which of course, he'll need to pay a licensed electrician to do!   )

 

[stevoz]

5 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

That's great that you did the right thing and bought from an Oz retailer.  

 

But given other people's input on this thread (that it has an SMPS) ... maybe Steve doesn't actually need to use a step-down?  (Merely change the mains plug - which of course, he'll need to pay a licensed electrician to do!   )

 

 

I would have paid a thousand bucks more if I'd bought it here.....but it's running fine now, because I bought the correct Aussie made transformer.

[andyr]

19 minutes ago, stevoz said:

I would have paid a thousand bucks more if I'd bought it here 

 

A very valid point, Steve.  

 

19 minutes ago, stevoz said:

.....but it's running fine now, because I bought the correct Aussie made transformer.

 

My point is ... perhaps you don't actually need a step-down - given (according to people who have posted on this thread) it has a SMPS which can operate with any voltage from Japan's 100v to our 240v?  

 

[Tweaky]

Just thought I'd forewarn any NEW Technics Turntable owners about an annoying quirk I fell foul of a few years back.

 

If you buy a Technics turntable in OZ, you will find it's big printed manual included in the box, with all the parts listed, with their CODE numbers, can be useless when it comes to ordering replacement parts from Panasonic Australia.

It was in my case.

 

When I bought my SL-1200G it had the 3 screws and washers that bolt the platter down, missing from the box, I rang Panasonic Australia telling them they were missing, and gave them the code numbers that were in the manual I had, and for them to order replacements.

 

I won't go into details again, you can go back through this thread and read what happened [you might get a laugh out of it], but I wasted 3 months of my life trying to get 3 screws, and the first screw up was because Panasonic, for reasons that nobody could explain to me, had the exact same manual [they sent me a PDF copy of THEIR version ] and the only difference was that all the parts had a different code numbers.

 

 

 

[blownaway]

On 11/10/2024 at 4:05 PM, stevoz said:

Update on the Technics SL1200GR2 power plug 'to earth or not to earth' issue. 

 

Tortech have replied to my enquiry and said the following:

 

Depends on which model transformer you have, ISOLATION or AUTO. (or Non Isolation)

The label should tell you, also Auto has a A in the part number at end SD110-1010A, Isolation does not.

 

If Isolation, you would not need to connect the earth wire, as the transformer provides safety.

 

If it's an Auto type, you should Earth it.

 

There is more but that's all I need to know as, thankfully my transformer, as one can see from the previously posted photo IS an 'ISOLATION' model!

 

Halleluiah! I can finally plug it in and check it out tonight. I have the next three days off.....so it's going to get a thrashing!

 

Thank you one and all for your advice, especially @sounhqr who has private messaged me with the some advice relating to his experience with Japanese equipment and it's use with his Tortech transformer and some info today which pretty much said what TorTech told me. 

 

Onward and upward!

enjoy I have the GR and from everything I have heard about the improved cogging issue it should be a gem. It will be interesting to see how much the G2 is going to be  

[stevoz]

On 11/10/2024 at 9:54 PM, andyr said:

 

A very valid point, Steve.  

 

 

My point is ... perhaps you don't actually need a step-down - given (according to people who have posted on this thread) it has a SMPS which can operate with any voltage from Japan's 100v to our 240v?  

 

 

I wasn't taking any chances seeing the 'operating instructions' specifically said to ensure the voltage used corresponds with the voltage stated on the back of the unit, ie: 100V in my case.

As a Japanese model, it appears to be 100V only....surely it's only international models that have a dual power option?

[andyr]

1 hour ago, stevoz said:

I wasn't taking any chances seeing the 'operating instructions' specifically said to ensure the voltage used corresponds with the voltage stated on the back of the unit, ie: 100V in my case.

 

Very sensible!  

 

1 hour ago, stevoz said:

As a Japanese model, it appears to be 100V only....surely it's only international models that have a dual power option?

 

Possibly - but earlier on, someone posted that:

a.  they all use a SMPS, and

b.  SMPSs can run on anywhere from 100 to 240v.

 

Plus - it would increase their mfrng cost if they had to stock 2 different PSs ... one for local and one for international?

 

[stevoz]

49 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

Possibly - but earlier on, someone posted that:

a.  they all use a SMPS, and

b.  SMPSs can run on anywhere from 100 to 240v.

 

Plus - it would increase their mfrng cost if they had to stock 2 different PSs ... one for local and one for international?

 

 

Fair and sensible points. Oh well, running nicely via the step down, I'll stick with that.