question about using voltage converters (in Australia)
 

Hi,

I'm going to be visiting Australia for 7 weeks, and I have several items that are 110V only. In particular, I have 2 white noise machines that are 110V only. I contacted the manufacturers, and they stated:
"The short answer to your question is no, the Sleep Mate model #980A operates on direct line voltage of 110/120V AC (US) or 220/240V AC (France & other countries), simply using an adapter plug does not change the voltage it just allows you to plug in to the wall socket.
My advice would be to order one model #980A equipped with the standard 110/120V AC motor for use in the U.S. and a second unit equipped with 220/240V AC motor for international use when you travel overseas. The reason for this suggestion is because the standard 110/120V AC model is on the boarder line when considered for use with power converters. It draws approximately 38 watts and most of the low wattage converters suggest a threshold of 40 Watts for “motor” driven appliances and the high wattage converters are to strong for use with our standard 110/120V AC unit."

This is the answer I got about my Homedics Sound Spa:
"Products that are sold in the United States are made to be used with 110 volt in the United States only. Using this product with a voltage adapter or transformer can damage the product beyond repair and void the warranty."

Both seem to say that using a converter could damage it :/

I'm not sure what to do. My husband's Oral-B toothbrush also runs on 110v only, as well as my hair dryer. Hotel hair dryers are usually incompatible with the diffuser attachment I need to use. hmm....

Any advice? I haven't been able to find any info from a reputable source that discusses this issue.

Also, is www.walkabouttravelgear.com a reputable site to buy adapters, converters, etc? If not, do you have a better recommendation?

thanks for any advice you may have :)

I thought you already asked this in the other thread recently?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...overnight.html

Once you decided you can't use the hotels hair dryer because of your diffuser attachment or that you must have your husbands oral B toothbrush that runs only on 110v, I think you lost most of us there. If you must travel with a hair dryer, try to find one a dual voltage one. You really don't want to use voltage converters with devices like hair dryers.

Without knowing much about your particular white noise generator, I was able to find an international version of it .. http://www.amazon.com/Marsona-TSCi-3...f=pd_sim_hpc_1, though I really don't understand what they told you about yours.

-David

Many electrical items have a power supply that handles anything from 100-240V.. (laptop/camera chargers etc)

I think it is clear that the OP's items do NOT. Hence the suggestion to get a "Euro" model for travelling.

I doubt if there is a way around it. In any case a transformer would probably cost so much that just buying another toothbrush/hair dryer on arrival would be a sensible move.

Yes, I did, and no one responded.

As this is a work-related trip for my husband, he can get reimbursed for stuff like voltage converters, whereas he cannot get reimbursed for purchasing a new white noise machine, hair dryer, etc...so I'm not sure what to do.

You can buy a voltage converter at Dick Smith in Australia (major electronics store chain, located everywhere), for about $50 for 50 watt converter, or $200 for 500 watt converter. Works very well and solves your problems. Also available on Ebay for somewhat cheaper prices.

If you use motorized equipment that's made for 60 Hz electric on 50 Hz you risk burning out the motor.

Wow. For less than $200 you could probably buy a new hair dryer, toothbrush, and sound machine on arrival and just throw them away when you leave.

(As a person who likes to travel with minimal stuff, doesn't carrying two white noise machines seem excessive? Just asking.)