PAiA kit voltages

[Bill Layer]

Hi Bauke,

The Fatman, like all PAiA stuff, runs off of what is called a 'Class-2 Wall
Transformer' or 'wall wart' in slang. The output is around 13.8VAC, and is
used in the conventional half-wave doubler to get the +/-15 volt rails
(after regulation).

In the USA, these transformers are literally running out of our ears; we're
drowning in the surplus! I would assume the situation over there is
similar, but then again, the EC may have had their way... Perhaps you can
get a 235V 50Hz version.

OT: How the heck did Europe end up with 235V/50Hz anyway? Perhaps 117V/60Hz
wasn't dangerous enough?

For that matter, the Japanese run 100V. Now why's that? Does anyone know
this stuff?

Bill Bob