How many transformers to bring from Canada to Australia

I've been shopping around for step down power transformers, from Amazon, to ebay, and they're expensive! This has led me to the sketchy Alibaba source of bulk goods, but I'd really like to hear from everyone regarding HOW many they bought, WHICH brand, wattage, and so on.

I have quite a few Canadian appliances that I would like to bring to Oz from espresso machines to power tools, stereos tvs and so on. The issue it seems is the prohibitive retail cost of buying power transformers in bulk quantities needed for an entire house of goods. Many of my high end North American appliances would be far too costly to sell used and re-purchase new as 240V models for insane prices in Oz. I also intend to have many of these products plugged in continuously in sedentary locations, such as toaster ovens, espresso machines, blenders, stereos and tv's.

Can anyone provide a detailed list of transformers you would recommend, including wattage strength, that would be necessary to continue living with Canadian purchased products? Ie. How many 3000W, 2000W, 500W, 100W, etc.

Thanks!

I would sell the electronics or if you intend on returning to Canada then put in storage somewhere in Canada. I say this because I did the transformer thing when I moved to Sydney and all 4 had blown. Not just the fuses bu the whole unit. Especially if you leave them on continuously. Example left on one wiht xmas tree and day 3 the unit strarted to smoke and the blew up, unit destroyed. The lights on the tree were only on for about 3hrs a night. I even checked into replacement units but were over $150.00 AU. Consider replacing often it adds up. I know it is a pain to replace and costly but ultimately it is the only way. Only my opinion though.

Canuk15

We purchased 4 step up step down transformers to power our Canadian electric appliances and tools in Australia. We have one 500W we use in the kitchen (brand Q Power), a 1000w we use to power a stereo receiver on our TV (used daily), a second 1000w one we use for christmas lights for our tree (brand for both 1000w is Wellson) and a larger one (i'm guessing 3000w - don't know the brand as it's hidden behind things in our storage) for our garage to power my husband's power tools up to an air compressor. We looked at the wattage maximums for the various electric items to assess our needs before we bought the transformers.

We bought them off ebay from a fellow located in Markham ON. Luckily we lived there at the time so I arranged pick up in person and we shipped them with our household goods. We have had no issues with any. All came with back up fuses which have yet to be used after 2 years here.

Do your homework though. Although transformers transform wattage, they do not transform frequency (Hz) which is also different here. Any TV's, stereo equipment, radios, heating appliances (toaster, hair dryer, waffle iron, coffee maker, bread machines, etc) will overheat at the Australian frequency - probably including your espresso machine. Lamps are easy to bring and use without transforming power. The bulb is the electrical exchange point so as long as you leave all your incandescent bulbs behind in Canada, you just need an plug adaptor and to buy Australian light bulbs (halogen bulbs are the only exception - they won't work).

The only appliances we brought with us were things that we could not sell or that didn't make sense to rebuy. We use our kitchen transformer for a kitchen aid stand mixer, a citrus juicer and a little handy chopper (like a mini cuisinart). Christmas light strings here are astronomically expensive so we have 10-12 strings on our transformer to light our indoor tree (sell the outdoor lights - they will be useless). The Canadian power tools all came but we rent so they are used rarely. You can't avoid buying things here as you can't use your Canadian TV's. clock radios, hair dryers, even with a transformer. If they don't blow up immediately, they will melt from the inside out.

I hope that helps.

Further to Dolly'sgirl's comments... if you do bring tools or appliances make sure they are rated 50/60 Hz.We brought several, intending to use them with a transformer until they die then we'll replace them with local items. We only bought the expensive items with us...Kenwood mixer, Cuisinart, woodworking tools and tools that could be converted with a simple change to the wiring , done by an electrician.

If you have one of those travel hair dryers that suit both voltages you'll just need the right adaptor plug for it.

Thanks for the info about the lamps. We brought several that we really like with us. We'll just replace the plugs on them rather than buying an adaptor for each. I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone about that and thought we'd have to rewire them. I take it that you're using yours with Oz bulbs? Will have to unpack ours and try them.

Check your TV, depending on the type, might work here anyway. We have a Plasma and LCD, both work from 100-240 volts, only difference is the plug, and it is a standard computer plug.

We just moved here about 7 weeks ago, and the only appliances we really brought with us were lamps. We were told before we left that our appliances would not work here. My dad advised us that our lamps would work, however. We just replaced the plugs on the ends and use the light bulbs from here. We also brought about 8 adapters with us and so far all of our other electricals ie/hair dryers, straightening irons, lap tops all still work.