Build a Step up for home use (subnormal mains AC V)

[jonhsmith1212]

I am a complete beginner. At my home, we have very serious low voltage condition. I need to make a Step up transformer unit to make at least water pump work. From what I can conclude, I can get myself a board, a transformer and use them to build a Step up transformer unit so that my home appliances can work even under low voltage.

Would be great if the experts here can give some help in building the same.

 

[betwixt]

For stepping up the voltage you only need one component, a transformer. However, the real problem isn't stepping it up, it's stabilizing it.

Consider this scenario:

Your voltage should be 220V and all your appliances work on 220V.
Due to distribution problems you only get about 180V so some things do not work.
You use a transformer to step 180V up to 220V and everything seems OK again. :grin:
Other peoples loading on the line drops and the incoming voltage goes up to say 210V.
Now your transformer steps the 210V up to 260V and damages everything. :-x

Brian.

 

[BradtheRad]

This question has come up a few times. There does not seem to be an easy low-cost solution. You need a device that outputs a constant voltage. Try a forum search on 'stabilizer' and 'stabilizing'.

Consider assembling a backup power supply. A 12 or 24V battery, a power inverter, and a battery charger. This becomes expensive. The charger needs to be versatile so it works even if mains AC is drooping severely.

Or consider installing a DC water pump. (Another expensive option.) These run on 12 or 24V DC, at a few Amperes. Voltage can be flexible, does not need to be regulated. Thus you might get by with an AC-DC adapter. Make sure if the water intake has sufficient filtering, in case the pump mechanism cannot tolerate dirty water.

 

[c_mitra]

Did you consider using a constant voltage transformer? Efficiency may be low but I do not know how much power your pump needs.

 

[brushhead]

What is the Motor of the Pump? You could possibly replace the pump with a three phase machine and install a motor drive to it. Single phase in and three phase out?