Update - 240 volt dual action polisher (porter cable)

[marcos]

We use as standard 415V 3 phase and since our single phase supplies are derived from this we get :-

(1/(3^0.5)) *415 = 239 Volts -

We will drift down to a 380V supply in line with most of europe and end up with a 219 Volts single phase supply (which many will already have)

Of course by the time the board tolerances are applied , particularly if you are a long way from the sub then you may well get a lot less.

The standard 3-phase supply is now 400v not 415v and has been for a few years now and yes we will quite soon get another reduction to bring us closer to Europe.

 

[fredfloggle]

"The Department of Trade and Industry has a duty to ensure that electricity supplies are sufficiently reliable and meet minimum standards of quality in terms of voltage and frequency. In Great Britain domestic supplies must be maintained within the range 216 volts to 253 volts, corresponding to a nominal value of 230 volts, minus 6% to plus 10%."

As you say around 400V - which would certainly bring up a good polish on your bonnet with the "Glazebuster Turbo"

 

[marcos]

That's 400v between phases not to neutral

 

[television]

I have not been reading all this, but an isolating is what it says it is, it means that the output is not live with respect to earth, whereas the live on normal main is, neutral is effectively ground.

3 phase in Europe is 380v and has been for yonks, our ordinary household supply runs at 235, in line with Europe

 

[television]

If you use a 110V transformer the RCD needs to come after it and not before.

That will do a fat lot of good unless you are using a stepdown transformer, rather than an isolating that should of coarse be used

 

[television]

That's 400v between phases not to neutral

it is too earth Ground

 

[stats007]

That's 400v between phases not to neutral

Indeed - though I think Fred's comment was tongue-in-cheek.

Gensets still use 415V - or in fact whatever is required to offset voltage drop etc. Another concept is real/apparant power which is dependent on the nature of the load (resistive/inductive) and power factor correction.

 

[CMR]

Thread gone off a bit but all interesting reading none the less.

Quick question on the PC or UDM. Do you think the 240v UK version will be exactly the same as the American 110v in all issues of spec etc so worth waiting for, or, is it better to get the tried and tested 110v one as I'm concerned the UK release has faffed around so much (nearly 1 y?) that there must be some issues with it?

 

[television]

Thread gone off a bit but all interesting reading none the less.

Quick question on the PC or UDM. Do you think the 240v UK version will be exactly the same as the American 110v in all issues of spec etc so worth waiting for, or, is it better to get the tried and tested 110v one as I'm concerned the UK release has faffed around so much (nearly 1 y?) that there must be some issues with it?

There should be on differences

If you get a 240v version then you run it via a RCD.

If you get a 110v version, run it via a stepdown transformer and a RCD or a isolating transformer, no RCD needed but could be used before the transformer

 

[Goldfish11]

I've been away for a few days! Little did I realise the chaos I left behind with this thread It seems to have got completely lost.

Glad to see we have got the voltage issue sorted.

PS I dont polish my car in the rain, I sometimes wash it though.

 

[television]

I've been away for a few days! Little did I realise the chaos I left behind with this thread It seems to have got completely lost.

.

I must try this one day, post something then take off for a few weeks

 

[Goldfish11]

Meguiars have won the race !!!!

It has just been launched the 240volt Meguiars Dual Action Polisher :bannana:

Limited information is available at www.meguiars.co.uk

Price is £149

But I have spotted a couple on Ebay already

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEGUIARS-G220...ageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

This gives a bit more information.

The main thing is it is "backwards" compatible with Sonus, PorterCable and UDM equipment.

I am chasing Autopia as I hope their 240volt machine will be available next year the price for this is said to be around $160 so this would come in at under £100

 

[SL300-24]

These polishers look good. Is it easy to polish through the paint or are they very safe to use with regard to this?

 

[NW_Merc]

They're very safe as long as you don't drop it on your car

 

[Goldfish11]

These polishers look good. Is it easy to polish through the paint or are they very safe to use with regard to this?

Check out the Power Polisher thread for full details. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6997 (See body work sticky) These machines are excellent and very safe. If you follow instructions on Autopia You will get an amazing finish.

The only issue is you can buy a machine like the UDM from Autopia for £75 ($150) and get a site transformer (240volt to 110volt) for about £50 so you can get yourself the same system but running on 110volts for less money.

I phoned around a few Meguiars stockests today to see if I could get one. I intend to do a group test but sadly none of the shops have them they are only available over the internet.

 

[stats007]

You can just spend £40 on a rotary polisher - they're not that hard to use.

 

[Goldfish11]

You can just spend £40 on a rotary polisher - they're not that hard to use.

Very true but they are not idiot proof and if you do not know what you are doing you can damage the paint. Also the Dual Action machines are so widely used by car care enthusiasts there is tones of advice on the web.

I like idiot proof machines as I have a tendency to do silly things.

 

[glojo]

You can just spend £40 on a rotary polisher - they're not that hard to use.

That's the nitty gritty,
Anyone can use the Porter cable and unless you drop the thing, then they are idiot proof, no way can you burn, or blister the paintwork. for those that value their car then it seems unwise to buy a rotary polisher that might damage the paintwork.

Each to their own and good luck to those inexperienced folks that use a rotary machine.

The 110v transformer is quite heavy so folks might want to take that into account.

Regards
John

 

[stats007]

It's VERY hard to damage the paintwork with a rotary unless you pick a harsh abrasive and course pad or have it at high rpm and sit on the same spot.

 

[glojo]

It's VERY hard to damage the paintwork with a rotary unless you pick a harsh abrasive and course pad or have it at high rpm and sit on the same spot.

You know that, I know that but I guarantee there are thaousands out there that will over do things when trying to remove a 'slight' scratch with their rotary polisher.

This is an extract from a site I found:


Basic rules for polishing:
Polishing rule 1: Use the least aggressive tool or polishing material necessary to get the job done. Hand polishing is the least aggressive, followed by a dual-action (DA) polisher, followed by a rotary buffer.

Polishing rule 2: Do not mix polishing materials. Do not use the same polishing pad or cloth with multiple abrasive materials.

Polishing rule 3: Work in good lighting conditions, and frequently check your work. You will rue the day you polish through your paint because you couldn't see what you were doing or polished in one area too long.
Polishing with a rotary buffer requires skill and training. We're going to discuss the proper use of this versatile tool later.

For most car appearance enthusiasts, a rotary buffer is not a necessary tool. It is essential for professional detailers and painters, who need to properly machine-compound a car.

Polishing with a dual-action machine is a great way for most car appearance enthusiasts to create a perfect paint finish without a lot of elbow grease. Although a dual-action polisher does not have the power and speed of a rotary buffer, it also does not have the potential liabilities.
Hand polishing is the best way to polish when time and effort is not a concern. All polishing jobs require a final hand polishing step to completely remove wheel marks left by machine polishing.