electrical/voltage question

RVC
CanuckAbroad Regular


Moving to Adelaide from Vancouver

Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 34
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:53 pm

 

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Does anyone have any idea on where to buy outlet adapters and stepdown transformers in Australia or even in Canada? ie. for a decent price.

Thanks!

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comet555
Super Member



Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 155
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:39 pm

 

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No idea, although I have heard people mention Ebay.

What are you bringing over that you need that voltage converters for? Check each and every electrical item you want to bring. If it says 100-240 Volts and 50-60 Hz, then you only need a small adapter piece to plug it into the wall (they're pretty cheap). This doesn't change the voltage at all, it just allows you to plug it in. I bought two of them in a computer store and I've also seen them on occasion in the grocery store. So they would be relatively easy to get.

If you have something that is only 120V and 60Hz, then you'll have more difficulty. You can get a transformer or converter to change the voltage but you can't change the frequency of the electricity (the Hz). So be careful about that.

http://kropla.com/electric.htm

Also if you're bringing your tv make sure it can operate on the PAL video system. Canada uses NSTC I think, so if you want to get cable and watch tv here then you'll want to make sure your TV will handle PAL.

Check out these links:
http://kropla.com/electric.htm
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/pwrfaq.htm
The second link has a list of appliances that might be affected by the frequency problem.

I know you're company is paying for the move, but just be careful that you will actually be able to use these things and not have them burn out after a while.

Haley

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lukester
Junior Member



Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 13
Location: Brisbane

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:22 am

 

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I agree with Comet, check the appliances for voltage and compatibility.
My laptop only needed a plug that fit the wall outlet and it works great.
Most of what you bring may only need that but I did find that my portable
CD player for the truck wont play original moves, they have to be burned but I wouldnt do that because we all know it's against the law to do that right? LOL
Also, my cell phone does not work because the frequencies are different and it
cannot be reconfigured.
Anyway, do as much checking as you can as far as compatibility goes as a perfectly
good TV of CD player that wont work with whatever it is that is different here is just a large paperweight, right?
_________________
Enjoying the heck out of this country!

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