Travel Technology - Power transformer needed for Europe

Hi,
We are shipping some electronics from the US for our small apartment in Europe. These include some kitchen items (like mixes, blenders, ice makers, etc) and some hi-fi electronics (stereo system, amp, pre-amp, dvd player, cd player but no TV). As we are renovating the flat, we would like our electrician - in Serbia to install US powered outlets and wire them to a transformer. We have a family friend that set up two 4000 watt transformers/coverters outside on his balcony and had the electrician put two US style plugs.

My question is - where do I find high quality high wattage transfomers for this function? I know these puppies are heavy but they will be going in a container.

Thanks!

My question is - where do I find high quality high wattage transfomers for this function?

Have you asked your friend who has done this before? ;)

A cheap source for these things is overstock APC units. Even Amazon lists a couple of 30A 220>120 stepdown units (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Foffer-listing%2FB0002AAREM%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref%255F%3Ddp%2 55Folp%255Fnew%26qid%3D1242414514%26sr%3D8-12%26condition%3Dnew&tag=641539-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957), for as low as $190. Shipping is expensive though.

The plugs may not be what you need, but any electrician can fix that in a few minutes. Whatever you do, make sure you get some high quality stuff, you may not need that for a blender, but AV equipment does not like bad power.

Also, be sure to check whether the stuff you plan to use it on isn't compatible with 100-240V already.

Watch out for the 50/60Hz issue. Motors designed to work at 120V & 60Hz may not work too well at 120V & 50Hz. I think many things will run more slowly (duh) and get hotter.

Basically white goods, kitchen appliances, etc. would present problems. Of course shipping something like a washing machine is silly, and blenders are cheap. Stand mixers... well... hmmm...

I think it will be more expensive to have the place wired then it would be to just buy stuff that is already on the right voltage, at least for some of it.

I would not try anything with a motor because of the 50/60 thing unless it's already for the differences.

Have you asked your friend who has done this before?

Bought 8-10 years ago on some store on 39th Street in New York. Paid about $50 for 4000watt converter, bought 4, put two in action and two spares and it's worked great for years. He still has the spares.

Ok, so what about the stereo system then - this is the big one as the selection of pro-audio electronics is limited there and dismally expensive. No, I will not bring a bridge, dishwasher, etc.

I already inquired about getting the amps and pre-amp (both Rotel) converted into right electricity. And it won't be worth it shipping the Plasma or whatever in the container in case it breaks.

Has anyone tried these guys?

http://www.voltageconverters.com

Ok, so what about the stereo system then - this is the big one as the selection of pro-audio electronics is limited there and dismally expensive. No, I will not bring a bridge, dishwasher, etc.

Good call on not bringing a bridge. :D

If you want a nice audio system there, I can't fault you -- only you can decide what you need. But for a "small apartment" do you need anything more than an ipod and a dock speaker? I realize this will not provide audiophile-quality sound, but is that necessary? Just a thought.

If it is, one option would be to buy in Austria or Germany on a stopover -- prices may well be much lower than in Serbia.

Hi,
We are shipping some electronics from the US for our small apartment in Europe. These include some kitchen items some hi-fi electronics (stereo system, amp, pre-amp, dvd player, cd player but no TV). As we are renovating the flat, we would like our electrician - in Serbia to install US powered outlets and wire them to a transformer. We have a family friend that set up two 4000 watt transformers/coverters outside on his balcony and had the electrician put two US style plugs.

My question is - where do I find high quality high wattage transfomers for this function? I know these puppies are heavy but they will be going in a container.

Thanks!
Having moved from the US to Europe myself I would say its way overkill to rewire a whole house like that.

Far better to get a couple of transformers and use them at each point. Eg near your stereo, plug up to 3-4-5 devices into a US power strip/extension cord and plug thatinto one single transformer at that point, which then draws European power from the wall. Just add up the relevant wattages and get a transformer rated for at least the total amount.

Where to get transformers?
- Any good non-chain electronics or lighting shop is the right place in a big city.
- Or on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1242594185/ref=sr_kk_1?ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=power%20transformer
- Radio shack carries the ones with smaller capacity, up to about 100 or 200 watts I think. I have bought a couple there before.

In the kitchen the hard truth is that your US-based devices with motors will die eventually ie the blender, mixer etc. Even when you convert the power, the issue of cycles/frequency seems to kill motors eventually. That has happened to us many times. So we dont do that anymore. its a waste of time. The same goes for hair dryers and so on. Dont bother because its just a matter of time before the motor goes "poof".

If you are getting your stuff moved in a container I would say you SHOULD bring a big flatscreen TV. US prices are the best and most competitive in the world, both at low end and top end especially. Most top end modeils will do PAL and NTSC both and you get the benefit there.