Switchable mains voltage?

[yourguitarhero]

Do the standard Shivas come with a switch on the back or are they hardwired?

 

[Jaish]

Holy F**K!!! Never mind, THAT! What happened to yer bike?!??


OK, seriously...
The Shiva doesn't have a switch, you'll have to get it rewired. Fortunately you shouldn't have to replace the transformer as it is universal. Don't forget to check for / replace any protective fuses, especially if you're modding one that's set up for a lower voltage and going to a higher voltage.

 

[yourguitarhero]

Oh yeah, that's my old bike - I got hit by a van!

18 months later and now I've got a Buell and a massive cheque coming in the post (hence my Shiva queries)

 

[supersonic]

Holy F**K!!! Never mind, THAT! What happened to yer bike?!??


OK, seriously...
The Shiva doesn't have a switch, you'll have to get it rewired. Fortunately you shouldn't have to replace the transformer as it is universal. Don't forget to check for / replace any protective fuses, especially if you're modding one that's set up for a lower voltage and going to a higher voltage.

How sure are you about the transformer?

 

[yourguitarhero]

Some other searching suggests most modern amps have twin power transformers wired in parallel for 120V and series for 240V and it is an easy swap for a tech to do. You also have to change the fuse.

I foudn that info specific for Shivas too.

 

[supersonic]

Some other searching suggests most modern amps have twin power transformers wired in parallel for 120V and series for 240V and it is an easy swap for a tech to do. You also have to change the fuse.

I foudn that info specific for Shivas too.

Where is the Shiva info?
I'm aware of the tranformers that are able to be rewired to suit different voltages, as I had my Herbert rewired by a tech. The same tech told me my XTC 100B could not be rewired.

 

[Jaish]

How sure are you about the transformer?

100%


Of course, all amp specs are subject to change without notice, I mean, I have a Marshall JVM and some 2007 models have extra fuses whereas all 2008 and newer ones don't have them and this info is NOT readily available from the manufacturer. However, I know by looking inside.

These could be famous last words, but I can't imagine a company changing their transformers spec within the run of a product line, as that would have a greater effect on the amp's sound, etc.

My advice is that if any cross-voltage modifications have to be made, make sure you are knowledgable enough to do it; have a tech on hand that can do it; or better yet, don't take the risk.

 

[supersonic]

I just heard back from Bogner, they told me you can't rewire the transformer, to protect worldwide disrtibutors.

 

[Jaish]

I just heard back from Bogner, they told me you can't rewire the transformer, to protect worldwide disrtibutors.

Of course...
There is that which is physically not possible, and that which is possible but should not be done...for moral or other reasons...


Bogner do not want this type of mod to become well-known, otherwise people would be buying amps across borders to get the best deal - thus hurting business for the local distributors in more "expensive" countries. This is also likely why they don't offer a user switchable voltage.

It would be like me calling Apple and asking if I could copy "Logic Studio" and give it to all my friends and family. They would say it can't be done. Yup...they're right, it can't be done as I bought the software in agreement with it's EULA (end-user license agreement) and that act violates the EULA. The reason is that this would obviously hurt sales as anyone I give it to won't need to buy it. However, I CAN copy it and distribute it to my friends...

Disclaimer: None of my friends / family have, or use "Logic Studio" and I would NOT supply them with copies of mine. This example was just for illustrative purposes.