Getting the voltage right in Australia for turntable from USA

[tipi]

Hi everyone,

I have an Audio-Technica turntable (model AT-LP120-USB) that I bought in the USA. The power label says it supports 115/230V, 60/50Hz, and 11W.

I recently moved to Australia and tried plugging it directly into a power socket here. It worked for a second but then stopped, and now it won’t turn on at all.

 

Does anyone know how I can get it working in Australia? Could it be a voltage issue, or did I possibly damage it? From my research I see that I probably need a step-down transformer, but not sure what type or if that will fix the issue. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance!

[SONDEKNZ]

There is probably some kind of switch that allows you to move from 115V/60Hz to 230V/50Hz - but you did not switch it, by the sounds of things.

This may have simply blown a fuse.

See if you can find a fuse and check it - and replace it, if necessary - then hunt down the switch that allows you to use 230V/50Hz.

If the fuse is not blown (unlikely) then you may have damaged the 115V/60Hz circuitry BUT - you may still find the 230V/50Hz circuitry intact, as it was out of circuit, when you had the problem.

In any event, be sure to switch to the right voltage, before you power up again.

Edited December 2, 2024 by SONDEKNZ

[krebetman]

Hi there.  Hopefully I have this wrong but generally if the spec say 115/230 volt that means there is a switch somewhere where you have to select the right voltage (whereas if it says 115~230 then it uses a switch mode power supply that can take a range of voltages.

 

 Suspect you may have fried something but it might be worth setting the switch under the platter (see https://warehousesound.com/r/audiotechnicaLP120USBmanual.pdf) and trying again before heading to a repairer.

[SONDEKNZ]

Good work @krebetman

Here's the switch, under the platter...

[tipi]

Thanks so much for this very helpful advice. Indeed there is a switch under the platter, and when I do switch it it still doesn't turn on, so blown fuse I'm guessing. Will try to change it and see if I have any luck.

[SONDEKNZ]

2 hours ago, tipi said:

Thanks so much for this very helpful advice. Indeed there is a switch under the platter, and when I do switch it it still doesn't turn on, so blown fuse I'm guessing. Will try to change it and see if I have any luck.

 

It would be highly unusual for a modern piece of kit to NOT have fuse protection...

[VanArn]

The User's Manual indicates that an adaptor rated at 12 volts/3 amps AC, is required to power this turntable from a nominal 230volt mains outlet. Possibly the adaptor from the USA is rated for 117volts only and is now defunct. 

[krebetman]

1 hour ago, VanArn said:

nominal

 

1 hour ago, VanArn said:

The User's Manual indicates that an adaptor rated at 12 volts/3 amps AC, is required to power this turntable from a nominal 230volt mains outlet. Possibly the adaptor from the USA is rated for 117volts only and is now defunct. 

When I was looking it seems the lp120x has the wall wart but the older lp120 variant has a captive mains cord 

[VanArn]

Good point, krebetman.  Knowing the version of the Audio-Technica T/T would be helpful, although a voltage selector is not mentioned in the Owner's manual for the earlier model.