230v 50hz to 115v 400Hz converter

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,460
A 400hZ 120 volt inverter could be a useful device to have. I wonder about revising one of those small package 60 Hz 120 volt inverters to deliver.
Unfortunately FAIR RADIO seems to have gone out of business.
 
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MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,460
400Hz is not that hard to achieve. Can programmable MCUs help?
Certainly there are simple ways to generate a frequency accurately. It is always THE POWER LEVEL that is the challenge, when other than the mains frequency is required.
Fair Radio used to have a great deal on a sideband radio that needed quite a few amps but at 400Hz. Certainly it was possible to build a mains powered alternative power supply, but not for mobile applicaton.
 

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,970
400Hz is not that hard to achieve. Can programmable MCUs help?
The 400 Hz is easy enough with just about any MCU. The difficulty arises with getting a 400 Hz sine wave at the desired power level of 500 watts. That takes a little more doing. Guessing a function generator chip like the XR2206 for the sine wave and maybe a IGBT to amplify it. Using a uC you end up starting with a square wave.

Anyway, as mentioned, this is a pretty old thread so for future reference. :)

Ron
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,460
My choice would be to generate the 400 HZpower with an inverter circuit powered with rectified mains voltage. I would try to use a surplus 400 Hz transformer for THE INVERTER OUTPUT. At one time surplus 400 Hztraansformers were available as surplus, not to terribly expensive. That is the part that made the choice attractive. But I am not aware of the current availability or pricing.
 

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,970
I was jokingly going to suggest a motor/generator. I'll be, Kato is still making the things, we had their units along with old GE Amplidynes, the latter were 3 phase beast driven by 40 HP and larger motors. Thankfully those days are gone. I can't believe Kato is still at it. :)

Ron
 

vandveuser16776

Joined Feb 21, 2026
231
I personally do not go for huge projects because the cost of DIY is almost always more than off the self. Unless you are member of large corporation's lab and you have seen all trial and error at the expense of the manufacturer.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,460
An inverter would not be a "Huge Project" for those who both have the knowledge and resources to design and build one. It would be a bit much for a beginner who lacked those resources.
Unfortunately the TS provided us with no hint as to their resources or abilities: " I am in need of 100W 230v 50Hz to 115v 400Hz converter Circuit. Help me" . And we get no hint as for the application. I wentback and looked at the "information" about the TS. I have said enough.
 
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