Electrical items - What works? What doesn't?

lynndyhop
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 71
Location: BC

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:05 pm

 

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Ooh good question from cordobaman - I have a sewing machine too that was given to me, and would love to bring it over - thought I would have to put it in storage though, as what I have heard so far, is that it's inadvisable to try and plus the sewing machine into a converter, but I'm hoping there are people out there that have managed to do this, as I would like to be able to bring it with me!
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Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1061
Location: Calgary

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:16 pm

 

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You need a step-down transformer for the UK, not step-up, you're going from 240V to 110V. The frequency is important on motorized devices, a sewing machine might be a tad more complex than other electrical appliances. Remember it's 110V at 60Hz you're looking for as the output, the input is 240V at 50Hz. A lot of transformers don't change the frequency. If you plug a 110V motorized appliance into something running at 50Hz instead of 60Hz, it may well not run at the correct speed.

Bear in mind that Canadian outlets are actually 220V with a splitter on them, that's why they're nearly always dual outlets. You do get dual 240V outlets in the UK as well but they're separate feeds off the ring main. Never really been clear why the frequency is different though.

But it's pretty straightforward to wire a Canadian house for European 220V appliances if you know what you're doing, the other way around though is more complex but I'm sure any competent electrician could do it, if you don't mind making a mess of the wiring in your house. Not 100% sure it's legal though.

No idea who to get transformers from anymore, it used to be Tandy's (Radio Shack) but they've gone out of business in the UK now. Maplins maybe?
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Steve.

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acrossthewall
Junior Member



Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 19
Location: New York, USA

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:12 am

 

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There's still a RadioShack in Edinburgh. Hmm.

Otherwise, maybe Comet or Argos or even PC World?

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1061
Location: Calgary

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:39 pm

 

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None of those sell transformers, only those goofy plug adapters. Tandy's HQ was in Walsall, they were taken over a few years ago, a friend of mine worked in purchasing and lost her job: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandy_Corporation

Like it says most of them are Carphone Warehouse now. If Maplin's haven't got them I have no idea. Most electrical retailers should have a supplier.
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Steve.

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cordobaman
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 63
Location: North Bay Ontario

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:09 pm

 

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Thanks Steve and everyone else,

Appreciate the input. I think we're going to leave them behind until we settle, then figure out exactly what we can do, if anything. I totally forgot about the MHz cycle too. My wife just doesn't want to part with them, and I cna't blame her; they're $4K machines.

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