Topic: Fostex FR2-LE AC adaptor in Europe?

[oivindi]

Just picked up a new Fostex FR2-LE on ebay, but as I understad it the AC adaptor that accompanies it isn't - for some reason - a variable adapter, but fixed to 120V.

I will be using it in Norway, where we use 220V. Anyone know where I might get hold of a 220V adaptor?

Will the FR2-LE be able to accept a generic 12V adapter?

[George2]

Right, the wall wart is for 120VAC only. Look for one that is at least 600mA 12VDC center pin positive that can be plugged into 120-220 VAC.
A lot of prosumer camcorders use these. Then all you need is a cheap travel adapter.
Depending on where you are, look at Fry's or an electronic supply shop, or maybe at last resort Radio Shack.

[oivindi]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I live in Norway, and there are no Radio Shacks or Fry's. There are, of course, places selling power supplied (battery eliminators, as they are called).

Would a generic power supply that supplies 12 V DC and with a maximum load of 1.25A? As long as it has center pin that is positive?

Btw, my initial contact with the Norwegian Fostex supplier has so far resulted in a price quote of ... $193 for the power supply. One hundred ninety three dollars. This is for the FR2 power supply. I am hoping something else comes of this ...

Or I guess I could just buy a step down transformer?

[flintstone]

The Fostex web site shows the following distributor for Norway

Siv. Ing. Benum AS
Drammensveien 130 B12, N-0277 Oslo, Norway

Telephone: (+47) 2213 9900
Fax: (+47) 2214 8259
Email: post@benum.no
Web Site: http://www.benum.no

You should be able to purchase the appropriate power supply
for the FR-2LE from this company. 

[oivindi]

Thanks for the suggestion, flintstone, but as I said in the reply above I have already been in contact with them ... and they want to sell me a FR2 (not LE) adapter for the pretty hefty sum of 193 dollars, or 990 Norwegian kroner.

That's about 39% of what I paid for the complete FR2-LE ...

[digifish_music]

Will the FR2-LE be able to accept a generic 12V adapter?

Yes it will, as long as the specs (and polarity) match.

You should be able to find a shop that sells generic power adapters. Just make sure you get a nice one that is well regulated. If you are in the right shop they will be able to recommend one for you.

digifish

[John Willett]

Go back to the Norwegian distributor - he should be able to sell you the proper FR-2LE mains adaptor as a spare part - It's *not* the same as the FR-2 adaptor.

But don't be surprised if it's not cheap - the local agent is hardly likely to be helpful to someone who tries to by-pass the proper distribution system by buying abroad on the internet.

If you *do* buy over the internet it's always best to, at least, try to buy from the same continent!

If you use a generic adaptor you are likely to void the guarantee.

[oivindi]

John Willett: I never got the impression the distributor was trying to punish me - I didn't say anything about how it was acquired.

Anyway, the adaptor can't be used with the FR2-LE, as you suggest, so I'll need the original. Still waiting for a price on that one (it wasn't in stock).

However, I've heard from a couple of people who say they hardly, if at all, use the power supply, so I'll try and see how I use the unit before making any decisions.

A generic 12VDC adaptor will most probably also work.

[MJ]

Probably a step down transformer will also work.  You can ask a local travel agent or
a sales person at the duty free shop for a piece of advice.  The regular AC adaptor
sold in US is AC110 volt.  We use 100 volt in Japan.  You might be able to use this
recorder without a transformer or an extra adaptor in Japan.   It might affect the
performance juicing an AC110-volt electric machine with 100 volt but it is not
dangerous.  But supplying an AC110 machine with 220 volt in Europe?  You can’t
be too careful with it.
I for one start thinking about getting this machine from an ebay seller and
will use in Japan. 
What is the specification of the AC adaptor that comes with it in US?

Koichi

[oivindi]

rocknrolljourney: the scenario you describe depends on whether or not the unit itself is capable of handling 110-240V, which is very common these days. It may be that the adaptor itself only handles 110V, but if the recorder handles a variable voltage rate it becomes less risky to use a generic 220V adapter in Europe.

[Sebastian]

I have just answered the same question about a D50. The FR-2 LE should be the same. Just look at the manual or the original AC/DC adapter and search for the required voltage and polarity (unfortunately, the Fostex web site doesn't list that info), then buy a cheap AC/DC converter at a local electronics shop. They are usually sold for under 10 €.

[stevetoney]

I tend to agree with those people that have said that you may not even need the AC adapter.  I had the FR2-LE for awhile and never once plugged the AC adapter into the unit.  It's DEFINTELY not worth $100 to buy, or even I'd say $50 because you can just as easily buy three 3600mah RC batteries and a charger for not much more than $50.

One of the best features of the FR2LE is the variable powering options.  If you are mainly expecting to be recording remotely, then you could just as easily keep it powered with RC batteries and rechargeable AAs as the Wall Wart for when you have it back at home and need to upload your recordings.

[oivindi]

recording remotely, then you could just as easily keep it powered with RC batteries and rechargeable AAs as the Wall Wart for when you have it back at home and need to upload your recordings.

Or as one taper suggested: Just insert the memory card into a card reader when you need to upload your recordings, saving even more power.

[stevetoney]

recording remotely, then you could just as easily keep it powered with RC batteries and rechargeable AAs as the Wall Wart for when you have it back at home and need to upload your recordings.

Or as one taper suggested: Just insert the memory card into a card reader when you need to upload your recordings, saving even more power.

Bingo...In fact, I think I bought my CF card reader when I owned the FR2-LE, so right on!

PS:  I've owned my current recorder...a Fostex HD-P2 for awhile now and it hasn't been plugged into the AC outlet either.  It uses CF cards too, so I read them with the CF card reader...which incidently reads the CF card about 3 or 4 times faster than if you plug the FR2-LE into you computer and have it read it.  All the more reason to go the CF card reader route!

[oivindi]

Well, waddayaknow. Got my FR2-LE today, and it seems Fostex has, wisely, changed their ways!

Because inside the box was a power adapter which clearly states "INPUT: 100-240V".

Granted, it has a US plug, but that's a $2 investment for a USA-to-Norway-plug compared to a much larger sum for a original, Norwegian version of the FR2-LE AC adapter.