[kidco]

I'm wondering about whether or not it is feasible to bring over to NZ the following 2 electrical items, which were purchased in Canada - and have US-type power settings:

* The washer is a Whirlpool front-load model, set to operate at 12A and 120V.

* The stereo system is a Panasonic CD/Cassette/Tuner system set at 120 V, with rated power consumption of 140W (no amperage given - perhaps it's 140/120 = 1.2A or thereabouts...? :confused: )

Can these be run in NZ? Do they require transformers - if so, what kind? The washer especially, is a beauty, made in D-land and a shame to leave behind...

Any advice from those in the know about US - NZ electrical articulation would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Kidco

[dilanium]

They would definitely need some kind of adaptation to run in NZ as the entire electrical system is different. I'm not sure of the exact details, but I probably wouldn't chance it with the washer.

Someone will be along soon with more specifics I am sure.

:)

[IanW99]

I'm wondering about whether or not it is feasible to bring over to NZ the following 2 electrical items, which were purchased in Canada - and have US-type power settings:

* The washer is a Whirlpool front-load model, set to operate at 12A and 120V.

* The stereo system is a Panasonic CD/Cassette/Tuner system set at 120 V, with rated power consumption of 140W (no amperage given - perhaps it's 140/120 = 1.2A or thereabouts...? :confused: )

Can these be run in NZ? Do they require transformers - if so, what kind? The washer especially, is a beauty, made in D-land and a shame to leave behind...

Any advice from those in the know about US - NZ electrical articulation would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Kidco

Not sure I can help much but I'll say what I know?

NZ consumer electricity supply is 240V 10A at 50Hz so most electrical goods from the US which is 110V at 60Hz won't work without some modification.

Some items e.g. laptops will have a power supply that can cope with all the different voltages and others such as PCs will have a switch on the back which allows the voltage input to be switched between 110 and 230V.

So I assume that neither device has the ability to be switched to the required voltage.

The main option that you can do is use a transformer that steps down the voltage from 240 to 110V. They can be big and cumbersome to use and not too cheap but if you want to take them to NZ then this is probably your best choice.

A couple of things I would check with the manufacturers:-
For the Washer, see if you can get a replacement power supply i.e. Whirlpool make 240V washers so it is likely you can just get the correct version and replace yours, it may be cheaper this way and would certainly be better.

For the stereo, check that it will be able to cope with 50Hz mains supply. It is one thing to step the voltage down from 240 to 110 but you can't (easily) change the frequency from 60Hz to 50Hz and some stereos use this frequency to set the timing of the cassette motor so it may not work correctly or may fail.

I wouldn't worry about the power used i.e. it may be 12A at 120V but that is only 1440W (10A at 240W is 2400W)

Ian

[gpbenton]

I have a 240V - 120V transformer that I use to power a stereo system that I bought in the US. You plug in the transformer into the wall and the stereo into the transformer.

Everything works fine, you just need to buy a transformer that is big enough to power the equipment, otherwise you get a fire hazard. You can get various sizes at Dick Smiths Electronics.

I'm not sure if it would be worthwhile buying one big enough for a washing machine though.

[kanatakiwi]

fyi its cheaper to buy those transformers in Canada than here. try london drugs or for the big ones go to an electrical shop.

[Nick88]

If anything were to go wrong with them you can't get parts. It might be alot easier to sell them and buy new when you get here.

[kidco]

Thanks everybody for the replies/advice :nice1 .

Doesn't look good for the ol' washer - I'll check with the store here where I bought it, to see exactly which gizmo or other might work...

:cheers
Rob

[Super_BQ]

IMO you would be wasting your time with the washing machine. The simple reason is a 2KVA step down transformer would cost a lot of coin. These can not be found at any Radio Shack or local retail outlet.

Also with that kind of amperage, there will also be losses in the step down transformer - energy loss in heat as not all transformers are efficient. For your interest, cost of electricity in NZ is over 3 times more than in Canada between 18 - 24 cents/kW/hr.

If you are keen on bringing large appliances over, then I highly recommend bringing over the large front loading clothing dryers. They are already 240VAC as in Canada, the dryer plugs in all houses are 240 volts. So all you would have to do is change the plug. Somehow in NZ, there aren't many large dryers that can properly dry a king size blanket. MAYTAG WHERE ARE YOU?

BQ