What would I have to change to make a 220v Constellation work in the US

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You would have to change the motor (obviously) and the cord, unless you want to just put on a US replacement plug, the switch should be fine.
 
a better idea

Rather than go through any of that, there is another alternative, there is a power supply that is available that will allow you to create a 240 volt outlet by using two 120 volt outlets on opposite phases. You could then use an adapter to convert the nema-6 outlet on the supply to the desired European plug. Here is everything you would need.
The company has a package which includes the power supply and the international outlet adapter, then you could use the vacuum without any modification.
Mike

https://www.quick220.com/-P-100.html
 
n0oxy's got the right idea. But for pete's sake, don't give those clowns $225 for something you can make with $50 worth of home depot stuff. It's legit two extension cords and a box with an outlet. Not worth $225.
 
Your best bet would be to find a machine with a good running motor and swap them. Depending on which unit you import, I don't know which motors will fit.

Good Luck
 
50Hz v 60Hz

Don't forget the US power frequency is higher. Whichever route you choose for getting the voltage, I believe the frequency will still be 60Hz, not the native 50Hz in UK/EU/AU. I suspect the motor will therefore run 20% faster, which may be deterimental in the long term as I think it will also generate additional heat which will need to be dissipated. If you just want to see it operate "for fun", then n0oxy's idea is one I've seen mentioned here before. I'm not sure I'd want to run the machine under these conditions for long periods though. If you want a Constellation as a daily driver, you might be best to swap out the motor with a genuine 110V/60Hz example
 
Line Frequency Does Not Matter!

Ordinary universal motors, such as what are commonly found in most vacuum cleaners can run at about any line frequency from 0Hz (DC) up to 60Hz. Recall any antique vacuum cleaner's model plate that says something like "0-60Hz" or "AC/DC" - that's that that means. Granted, when you start going over 60Hz, things get a little fuzzy, but nowhere uses anything other than 50 or 60Hz anymore. A European 240v vacuum motor will operate exactly the same on 240v, 50 or 60Hz, it will not know the difference, it will not run faster or slower.

Induction motors, on the other hand, will operate faster/slower, but there are not really any induction motors in vacuum cleaners... outside of central units.

In short, you needn't worry about line frequency for this.
 
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Husky, at least that's reasonably priced.

One of these days I'm gonna make that jury rigged dangerous thing, nobody here seems to think it's possible. Or safe, apparently. I guess nobody gets how it works.
 
There's no reason to make something when a safe, factory made device already exists. Also like aussie-plugs said, its not just the voltage, its the line frequency too. You can't just make plugs work just because they fit. That's how appliances and motors get burned up - or worse - a house fire starts.
 
Husky, please scroll up and read what I say about line frequency. I know far more about electrical safety (and electrical code) than you're giving me credit for. And frankly, I don't appreciate being patronized over it by someone who doesn't even understand line frequency.

Yeah maybe I shouldn't be encouraging lay people to make something that they don't have the knowledge to do safely, I'll give you that. But it's such a simple concept, if you understood it, you would know that it's perfectly safe. Excepting operator error, of course.

To your point, a factory made version already exists. If you'd trust them to make it, why can't you trust me?
 

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