115v to 240v drills

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

A debate is till going back and forth with 2 install engineers.
One old timer, who knows everything as he is " time served".
The other a younger man who thinks Googles has all the answers.

I started this by accident, by mentioning the fact I have 2 old school B&D drills. One 240v and one 115v



I mentioned that the 115v will be passed on as it is not practicable for me to use it, or MIS to use it.

Old timer replies:
"Oh it will be a simple swop of a few parts, as back then B&D ran all their tools down one line and only a few parts were changed, a simple job of swopping the parts. We used to do it all the time."
I asked for details.

Younger guy:
"It will not ne that simple, as 115 is used a lot and 240 is as well, different plugs and earth details. There will be a lot to change over and at least you will need a transformer. I will google it."

That's when they started the debate.

I am now leaving them to debate as I go round looking at their install.


I can see both sides. As I have had a B&D sander that was switchable from 115v to 240v.

I wonder what the forum thinks.

 

[gaz1]

it might be a question that you wont like

 

[gaz1]

110 does last longer compared to the 240v counter parts

but its down to ease of use 240v is the main go to tool
whilst onsite its the exact opposite of 110v

its always the ackward lug of the 110v transformer that goes with it that most dont like

tool for tool there both the same or both look the same but there not

we still have tools that are 110v and years old now probably 15/20 years or longer

do they make them as good as they was years ago no not really but

 

[Seadog]

That's not the question Gaz.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

110 does last longer compared to the 240v counter parts

but its down to ease of use 240v is the main go to tool
whilst onsite its the exact opposite of 110v

its always the ackward lug of the 110v transformer that goes with it that most dont like

tool for tool there both the same or both look the same but there not

we still have tools that are 110v and years old now probably 15/20 years or longer

do they make them as good as they was years ago no not really but

It got me thinking what are the internal difference. The sander was through a small Transformer.

 

[Bornfree]

I would have thought the windings would have a different resistance

 

[dobbslc]

The windings and switch gear on the 110v might be heavy-duty compared to the 240v one.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I would have thought the windings would have a different resistance

I would of guessed so.

 

[gaz1]

there also not as harsh on the electric bushes to turn the motor part of the reason they last so long on them

if anything the only change would be the winding armature and the switches everything else would be exactly the same

 

[Dave-sparks]

Just thinking out loud here, and I may be completely wrong, but it could be that they have 2 sets of windings which are connected in parallel for one voltage and series for the other. Thus the voltage change should be relatively easy.

Or they could have different windings in each and so the swap would be less easy. It may be a case of swapping the rotor for the correct one, or it could be far more involved.

 

[jerrytug]

That can't be a simple parts swap, because the windings have a very different resistance. What 'parts' does he imagine you swap?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

That can't be a simple parts swap, because the windings have a very different resistance. What 'parts' does he imagine you swap?

No idea, he has not told me, yet.

But he has a name for being an " expert on all things. "

I don't think it is as simple as a few parts.

 

[Dave-sparks]

That can't be a simple parts swap, because the windings have a very different resistance. What 'parts' does he imagine you swap?

It could have multiple windings which get swapped between series and parallel for different voltages.
Or it could be windings with a centre tap to allow voltage to be swapped.

 

[Parm]

That's not the question Gaz.

Stop paying attention to the question

 

[Parm]

If for arguments sake it is just as simple as swapping over a few parts.

are these parts still available ?

 

[jerrytug]

It could have multiple windings which get swapped between series and parallel for different voltages.
Or it could be windings with a centre tap to allow voltage to be swapped.

That's the kind of thing commonly found on transformers, but surely motor armatures are not normally made like this?

 

[bigegg]

maybe the "few parts that are swapped over" are just the rotor, and the windings, and the brushes, and the switch, and the cable, and the plug?

They *are* quite modular: no need for a different case, or chuck, or gearbox. It's a LONG time since I used to sit on g/dads's bench wiring plugs whilst he rebuilt power tools (in the 70s)

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If for arguments sake it is just as simple as swapping over a few parts.

are these parts still available ?

They are not available new, some can be found on the Flea Bay. I may even have some in my dead tool bin.

maybe the "few parts that are swapped over" are just the rotor, and the windings, and the brushes, and the switch, and the cable, and the plug?

They *are* quite modular: no need for a different case, or chuck, or gearbox. It's a LONG time since I used to sit on g/dads's bench wiring plugs whilst he rebuilt power tools (in the 70s)

The switch in old B&D tools I have fixed in the path seam to be a standard part rated at 240v 15A. But it seams to be standard for drills, another standard part for sanders etc.

The motors in the old B&D gold, orange and blue drills look interchangeable. So I am guessing the solid parts are the same. But the windings must be different.

They are still "discussing" it.

They will soon stop, as I have found 5 points on the new install that needs to be sorted before they can move on to second fit.

 

[Chillitt]

Why not just take the drills apart and have a look?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Why not just take the drills apart and have a look?

'Cus.
I am a mere 100 miles from them. It was a debate I was interested in.
Or you could pop down to my place and take a look.
The fresh air and the change of view will do you good.

You tea is in the wooden tea caddy, milk and sugar you can find.