External voltage tension transformer for Nord stage 4

[Rodkeys]

Hello community,
I just got a Nord stage 4 73 in Europe set to 230v. I am moving to USA and just read about the voltage change-switch / fuse-replacement procedure. My question is: can I just use an external tension transformer that transforms 120 to 230v? I rather spend 100€ on the external transformer itself than void the warranty for opening it.

[Rodkeys]

There may be a chance to get an official prompt how to adapt your Stage to the other voltage if you ask on the Nord support channel (web form). That way, you shouldn't loose your warranty.

[Rodkeys]

Hello community,
I just got a Nord stage 4 73 in Europe set to 230v. I am moving to USA and just read about the voltage change switch / fuse procedure. My question is: can I just use an external tension transformer that transforms 120 to 230v? I rather spend 100€ on the external transformer itself than void the warranty for opening it.

Using an external transformer should be OK, but if you are moving permanently doing the change on internal PSU makes sense, contact your local distributor to ensure how you can do it without losing warranty (which probably will still be Europe-based, in the country where you bought it, also when you move to US, anyway..)

[cgrafx]

Hello community,
I just got a Nord stage 4 73 in Europe set to 230v. I am moving to USA and just read about the voltage change switch / fuse procedure. My question is: can I just use an external tension transformer that transforms 120 to 230v? I rather spend 100€ on the external transformer itself than void the warranty for opening it.

Don't waste your money. You won't void your warranty switching the internal power supply to the USA voltage.

[Rodkeys]

Hello community,
I just got a Nord stage 4 73 in Europe set to 230v. I am moving to USA and just read about the voltage change switch / fuse procedure. My question is: can I just use an external tension transformer that transforms 120 to 230v? I rather spend 100€ on the external transformer itself than void the warranty for opening it.

Don't waste your money. You won't void your warranty switching the internal power supply to the USA voltage.

As discussed in other threads, that is not true in general, it it depends on each country legislation, for example in Italy by opening the synth you probably would, in the sense that in case of future HW problems the assistance may detect that you did and claim that you caused the new problem by doing that (and that NS4 has been bought in Europe, so the applicable warranty is the one of the country of purchase)

[cgrafx]

Hello community,
I just got a Nord stage 4 73 in Europe set to 230v. I am moving to USA and just read about the voltage change switch / fuse procedure. My question is: can I just use an external tension transformer that transforms 120 to 230v? I rather spend 100€ on the external transformer itself than void the warranty for opening it.

Don't waste your money. You won't void your warranty switching the internal power supply to the USA voltage.

As discussed in other threads, that is not true in general, it it depends on each country legislation, for example in Italy by opening the synth you probably would, in the sense that in case of future HW problems the assistance may detect that you did and claim that you caused the new problem by doing that (and that NS4 has been bought in Europe, so the applicable warranty is the one of the country of purchase)

NO NO NO... there is no case has been opened detection on Nord keyboards, there isn't tape across the bottom with a warning saying opening the case will void the warranty. Additionally the adjustable voltage switch is inside the case necessitating opening it to change the setting when appropriate, so even if there was tape across the unit, Nord would lose that legal challenge as that switch in the normal operation of the unit has to be changed in order to get functional use out of the keyboard when changing physical locations that have different power.

Italy which is part of the EU has very strict "Fit for Purpose" laws. You can't void a warranty for doing something that a device was designed to do.

Just opening the case is NOT legal precedent for voiding the warranty.

[Rodkeys]

Cool. Thank you everyone. I already asked Nord support for advice on the recommended voltage tension adaptation procedure and whether they can direct me to an authorized dealer in Mexico to execute it. Given that the unit will be mostly used there, it makes sense to change it. I’ll wait for their answer. Last option - expensive although effective is the external transformer.

[Rodkeys]

Hello, and welcome to the Forum! It might be worthwhile looking into the reliability of the electric distribution grid in Mexico (momentary outages, sustained outages, brownouts,..). As you're going to take advantage of the internal switch for the voltage, I would suggest using the money for protecting your investment - a UPS/surge protector and possibly a power conditioner. Good luck to you.

[cgrafx]

Hello, and welcome to the Forum! It might be worthwhile looking into the reliability of the electric distribution grid in Mexico (momentary outages, sustained outages, brownouts,..). As you're going to take advantage of the internal switch for the voltage, I would suggest using the money for protecting your investment - a UPS/surge protector and possibly a power conditioner. Good luck to you.

+1. This would definitely be a more useful way to spend your money.

[maxpiano]

Don't waste your money. You won't void your warranty switching the internal power supply to the USA voltage.

As discussed in other threads, that is not true in general, it it depends on each country legislation, for example in Italy by opening the synth you probably would, in the sense that in case of future HW problems the assistance may detect that you did and claim that you caused the new problem by doing that (and that NS4 has been bought in Europe, so the applicable warranty is the one of the country of purchase)

NO NO NO... there is no case has been opened detection on Nord keyboards, there isn't tape across the bottom with a warning saying opening the case will void the warranty. Additionally the adjustable voltage switch is inside the case necessitating opening it to change the setting when appropriate, so even if there was tape across the unit, Nord would lose that legal challenge as that switch in the normal operation of the unit has to be changed in order to get functional use out of the keyboard when changing physical locations that have different power.

Italy which is part of the EU has very strict "Fit for Purpose" laws. You can't void a warranty for doing something that a device was designed to do.

Just opening the case is NOT legal precedent for voiding the warranty.

I still not totally agree: although changing the voltage is possible, it is not indicated at all in the user manual so (imo) this means that it is not intended as a user operation but as a service one (manual Warnings includes the statement "14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.") and to use the unit in a different country/voltage can be done using a transformer; then I agree it would be difficult to prove that in a court, but for sure asking to repair a keyboard shipped originally as 230V and now set as 110 would be enough of an evidence (I guess?)

Of course opening the NS to perform a (properly done) PSU voltage change would be unnoticeable in most cases, but I think the owner doing that should be aware that it is not supposed to be a user task and decide (and at least get a preliminary OK from the distributor providing the warranty, just to stay on the safe side).