[jess]

Ok, dumb question. Didn't see it on a search, and I am going through the stuff we're selling before we leave. There's one lamp I'd like to bring and run on a convertor if that's possible, but even if I do, I don't know if I can find light bullbs for it. Can a US lamp running on a convertor use NZ light bulbs? Are NZ light bulbs even the same size as American light bulbs?

Thanks for any help!

Jessica

[jubjub]

Dont know about US, but UK lamps work just the same, you can get a good variety of bulbs here. Failing that pop some in your container for that particular lamp.

[Miffy]

Good idea, I'd get a supply if light bulbs for any of the special light fittings to be on the safe side.

They all look similar to be, so I think you'll be okay.

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Jess

If you really like the lamp, I’d say take it with you, you can always have the fittings changed.

I think it may actually cost you less to have the fittings changed than buy a converter.

Although I don’t really know what it would cost because I’d do it myself, and I’d expect it to cost me around £5 in parts and around 10 mins of my time (unless it’s a LV with a transformer, or one of those cool ones that turns on when you call its name, or one with the dimmer that starts up when you come into a room, or one that you plug into a plant pot that switches on when you touch the leave).

Got to stop getting daft gadgets I have, it's getting really confusing trying to turn the lights on here, I’m sat typing in the dark :laugh

Sorry, trying to say, if it has an on - off manual switch it shouldn’t cost much to convert it.

Bob

[Kenny]

Hi Jess,

If you are coming to Wellington, you will have nothing to worry about.
In the center of Wellington, there's a guy whose business is called 'The Light Bulb'. All he sells is every conceivable light bulb you can think of.
If is available somewhere in the world, he will stock it.

[jess]

Thanks for all the replies!

It's just like me to not even think of changing the fitting. Great idea Bob. Maybe I'll get my OH to do that. ;) Tho from what Kenny says I should be able to buy lightbulbs until we get around to it... just one more reason to like Wellington.
:yes

Jessica

[selchie]

Good idea on changing fittings. My OH likes to restore old lamps, and I'm sure she'll bring several projects with her. It looks like the wiring is simple enough to do, except for that #*@+ing 3-way plus 3 she's working on.

[Paul and Linda]

That shop in Welly sounds great....what a bright idea....sorry! :P

[selchie]

I'm shocked that you would use such a pun. ;)

[curtis]

Just noticed this post ....funny I had recently emailed Lisa on forum to ask if you can purchase a certain type of bulb for a lamp that I would like to bring with me.

Does anyone know of a shop in Christchurch that sells all sorts of bulbs?
If not, I will pack lots this end, but may convert in nz once they run out...thanks for tips. :clap

Karen

[StevieD]

What is the standard fitting there? Is it bayonet cap or Edison screw??? Got quite a lot of the energy saving light bulbs, just wonder whether it is worth taking them with us...

Steve

[SteveR]

What is the standard fitting there? Is it bayonet cap or Edison screw??? Got quite a lot of the energy saving light bulbs, just wonder whether it is worth taking them with us...

Steve


both bayonet and edison screw are avilable here you will find them all in most supermarkets and hardware shops.
Including small and standard size bayonet and edison screw these will be 240V not the USA 110V

[StevieD]

Thanks Steve, wasn't sure if they had BC or not. My luck is that the house we choose will have ES fittings :laugh

[Jenny & Mark]

I know it doesn't quite fit, but I learned yesterday that the light bulb was actually invented in Toronto by two Canadian inventors who sold the patent rights to Thomas Edison for $3000. Apparently, Edison was more of an entrepreneurial genius who would buy the rights for emerging technologies.
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/cool/002027-2003-e.html
Mark.

[Malay-Coopers]

This thread has been very helpful to us in our plan for the move to NZ . . .

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=591&highlight=US+NZ+Electronics

Hope this works - I'm pretty new to this site!

[Ana&Steve]

This thread has been very helpful to us in our plan for the move to NZ . . .

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=591&highlight=US+NZ+Electronics

Hope this works - I'm pretty new to this site!Thanks fo rthat link, very helpful!
Ana

[sarahw]

With regards to lightbulbs - just don't expect them to be 100% OK if you're shipping by sea-container - I brought lamps with our lightbulbs in them & quite a few lightbulbs rusted & went quite manky in the sea-container so could not be used again (but mysteriously others identical were fine!) - luckily that was our worst casualty & the lamps themselves were fine - there are both screw & bayonette type bulbs just depends on what light fitting you have in the house you rent/buy - quite a few with halogen bulbs too in more modern places.

[highlander]

This is a question that I had before leaving the UK - so for the benefit of others...

The common light fittings in NZ are exactly the same as the common ones in the UK. That is BC22 (bayonet cap 22mm) and ES27 (edison screw 27mm). However it seems to me that ES fittings are more prevalent than they are in the UK.

There is a very good choice of light bulbs available from supermarkets to specialist stores - including Compact Flourescent (CFL) bulbs which are around $5 (depending on brand). CFL reflector bulbs are also available in R80 size. Halogen lightbulbs (all types) are common and easily available (same as UK). DIY stores like Bunnings Warehouse and the larger Mitre10 stores hold a very good range of bulbs.

The Australian Govt is planning to ban the sale of 'old fashioned' incandescent bulbs (eg 100w, 75w, 60w etc) within three years, on environmental grounds. It is not yet known if the NZ govt will follow suit - but it is likely. Given the total running cost of a CFL over its lifetime is far lower than that for an incandescent there is little to argue about. I guess some incandescents will still be available for specialist 'decorative' purposes.

[Johnnyrs]

I wouldn't worry too much about your light bulbs - energy efficient bulbs sell for around $5 or so - ie £2 - so not a problem. My personal experience suggests that the bayonet fitting is more prevalent.

My experience with shipping is very different to sarahw - no problems at all with water/moisture damage.

I wouldn't worry too much about the electrical fittings etc... I'd bring them if you have room but electrical things are pretty cheap here.

One tip that I've found really handy is to bring some UK powerboards/4 or 6 point plugs. When you're here you can change the wall plug to a NZ one then you don't have to change dozens of UK plugs to NZ ones. You forget how many electrical things you have and a powerboard or 2 in the kitche, lounge and bedroom is really helpful. 2½ years here and we still have a few of these in use in the lounge and a bedroom.