Transformers 100V vs 120V

[Blastronaut]

I noticed that every one of my pachinko machines, regardless of purchase in the US or Japan, is running on a 100V-24V (3A) transformer. They've been plugged directly into the wall (120V) with no problems, but I can't help worry about the difference.

Anyone ever swap out for a proper 120V-24V transformer? If so, could you please provide a link where I can buy one? Or if everyone's been fine with 100V, then maybe I don't need to worry so much about it?

[luckydog]

I've owned over 40 machines and never has a power problem weather its 100v or120v or low amp transformers

I have everything on 120v power strips to turn on and off

[Skydanz]

If a single phase transformer is rated at 100v in and you put in 120v, then the output will be 20%more. So 24v *20% is 4.8volts more or 28.8volts out. I don't know what the actual operating range is for these machines but I suspect that is nearing its limit. I know many and I have run our machines on the 100v transformers without problems. I don't think it's worth risking if you can pick up 120v to 24v transformers for around $20 or less. The critical part is how much amperage it can handle. Some of my moderns are rated at 5-7 amps.20130725_192309.jpg 7 amps at 24v would require a transformer with a "va" rating of at least 168va! Now, I doubt any actually draw 7 amps during normal play but I suppose there could be times when everything is waving, wagging, spinning and blasting that they are pulling full current. Some transformers that are supplied with the moderns from retailers are rated at 5a or about 120va. A 7 amp burst for short periods of times will make the transformer get pretty warm but shouldn't hurt it.

So it depends on what amperage your machine is rated at. A 2a machine would need a 120v-24v 48va transformer to make everything happy.

[Blastronaut]

I was unable to find anything on the back of the Kyoraku or OK machines, but my Sankyo Macross Fever has the following rating on the back:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374811432.787110.jpg

All the transformers are 100V/24V 3Amp. Are they still okay for short bursts at 120V?

[Skydanz]

I was unable to find anything on the back of the Kyoraku or OK machines, but my Sankyo Macross Fever has the following rating on the back:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374811432.787110.jpg

All the transformers are 100V/24V 3Amp. Are they still okay for short bursts at 120V?

Well the label says 24v +/_5% which would give a safe range of 22.8v -25.2v.Instead, you're running a range of 19.2v-28.8v That's 3.6v MORE than what you'd be running with a 120v transformer. The 250va rating means the machine is rated at 10 amps! 10a at 28.8v is 288va or 38va more than design. A 115v-24v transformer would be much better for your machine than the 100v and almost as good as a 120v transformer. As LD said his machines work just fine on 100v transformer, most of mine have not needed the 120v transformer but i have had overheating problems on a couple. The machines continue to function properly but the transformer got so hot, it melted some of the plastic nearby.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone one way or the other as far as what to use. I'm just trying pass on the facts and let you decide if you want to gamble on the safety of operation.

[Blastronaut]

I wonder if this place still sells them:

PowerVolt - Slot Machine Transformers, Vending Transformers, Custom Transformers

I don't usually run my machines for more than 20 minutes at a time tops right now, because they aren't in a dedicated room and often times I am in the same room working, where the machines cannot be making any noise. If they're okay for 20 minute spurts (as in, 20 minutes every few days, roughly) then I can bide my time to get the right transformers. They are rather hard to find.