[auskiwi]

Now that we are here in NZ we need to buy some step down transformers for our US appliances etc (I know we should have bought these before we left but we got a little busy and forgot-doh!). Anyone from the US found a supplier for these that they could recommend? We are in Auckland, so a local place would be great.

Thanks!

Amy.

[khhill]

Welcome to NZ! Glad to hear that you arrived safely. We found Dick Smith Electronics ones to work well for a decent price. Haven't fried any of our electronics yet, nor set the house on fire. :)

[auskiwi]

Thank you!

[montana]

Hi there - I have found them also at the Warehouse and the Powerstore. :)

[jo-and-jeff]

For DC items, I bought a bunch of AC/DC adapters (http://dse.resultspage.com/search.php?pw=ac%2fdc&w=dc%20adaptor) at Dick Smith ($27-49NZD each depending on amperage), and they do have some lower-wattage step-down transformers (http://dse.resultspage.com/search.php?w=step%20down%20transformer) there.

For our HDTV and A/V equipment (and the KitchenAid mixer) I bought 500w, 750w, and 1500w versions from the World Gift Center (http://www.world-import.com/transformers.htm), as well as some low-wattage converters (http://www.world-import.com/converters.htm) and adapter plugs (http://www.world-import.com/WSS416.htm), which I haven't seen any cheaper than $8-10NZD in stores here (maybe someone here in the Forum knows of a less-expensive source). However, I did this before we left the U.S., so I don't know what this company's shipping costs are to NZ.

There may be a local source for heavy-duty high-wattage step-down transformers here. I don't know of one, but maybe another Forum member can help out with that.

If you haven't read it already, this thread (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=591) is an incredible source of helpful information.

[Ana&Steve]

Hey jo-and-jeff, how do you have your Kitchenaid set up? (It's the only electrinic I want to take :) )

~(and the KitchenAid mixer) I bought 500w, 750w, and 1500w versions from the World Gift Center, as well as some low-wattage converters and adapter plugs~

I'm only familiar w/ the plug adapter and a regulator(?) that came packaged together from Walmart; I'm not sure of the safest/best way to set it up NZ style.
Thanks,
Ana

[jo-and-jeff]

how do you have your Kitchenaid set up?
It's 250w with a motor, so I've got it on a heavy-duty 500w step-down transformer (http://www.world-import.com/500a.htm).

We're really glad we kept it, since we would have gotten a pittance for it if we'd sold it in the U.S., and KAs are outrageously expensive down here.

Jo

[jbharvey]

I recommend using this transformer:

http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/OptimusEuropeVaration1b.jpg

[StevieD]

:laugh like that one JB!!

[clg]

If you are coming from the US and have halfway decent kitchen appliances bring them. We have a toater oven, kitchen aid, cuisanart, hand blender, etc. that we use on a converter. We also use a US stereo, vacum cleaner, and various small things like a wireless router. All run just fine on a conveter and buying all of these things really add up.

Converters are much cheaper to buy in the US. If you are buying in NZ try trademe, you can get some good buys there.

Chris

[jen]

We also use a US stereo, vacum cleaner, and various small things like a wireless router. All run just fine on a conveter and buying all of these things really add up.

I've been wondering whether to bring the vacuums (shop vac & upright hoover) but I wasn't sure if we would be able to get the right kind of replacement bags in NZ.

What about microwave ovens? I read through the amazing "US vs. NZ Electronics" thread but I they weren't mentioned - can they be adapted to run in NZ? Sorry if that's dumb question but I have a shaky grasp of the concepts of why these things work the way they do!

[clg]

Forgot about vacum bags so we had to order some for the US and get them shipped, we really like the vacum otherwise we would not do it. Bring extras!!!

Don't know about a microwave, sorry. I think the rule is that something with a motor will run at a different speed hence it will not work if that speed is important. So, a fridge (compressor), or washing machine or electric clock is not a good idea. but those are the only things I am fairly sure about. We do use a US power drill, miter, and electric chain saw and all work fine.

[Ana&Steve]

Ok, just want to ram this lesson home...I've got a max.325watt KitchenAid, do I still want a 500w transformer, or is there a conversion I'm not comprehending? :confused:

I love my KA, too, and haven't used it NEARLY enough to sell for some piddlely price! ;)

JBHarvey, you nearly killed me, that was a good one! :laugh
Ana

[katandbob]

I got some UK Converters from Warehouse, $12 and I have seen them in Mega10 for the same price.

Good luck, as the above posts have said, its expensive buying them here - like you I forgot and only packed the one I had in the laptop bag - DOH!

Kat

[katandbob]

PS whats a Kitchen Aid???

[clg]

For watts, double the maximum watts you think you will use. Equipment surges when you turn it on and higher wattage coverters will last longer. We plug in several items to our converters at once so we bought larger ones, we have a 1000w and 2 2000w. The later are probably overkill though except for some tools which I have found tend to blow fuses on the 1000w converter unless I am very careful.

For the 325 W kitchenaid at occasional use 500w is fine but we use ours quite a bit so we bought larger ones.

[Ana&Steve]

PS whats a Kitchen Aid???

It's a large mixer with a kickin' motor that also dices, slices, stuffs sausage, and makes pasta. See why they're hard to give up?! :)
Ana
P.S. You can google image search, or Martha Stewart always uses one, if you ever watch her...

[Ana&Steve]

For watts, double the maximum watts you think you will use. Equipment surges when you turn it on and higher wattage coverters will last longer. We plug in several items to our converters at once so we bought larger ones, we have a 1000w and 2 2000w. The later are probably overkill though except for some tools which I have found tend to blow fuses on the 1000w converter unless I am very careful.

For the 325 W kitchenaid at occasional use 500w is fine but we use ours quite a bit so we bought larger ones.

Ahhh, I think I'm getting it. 750w it is, then!
Thanks,
Ana

[Bruckner]

Ana,

Do you have the Professional or the Artisan? Have you used the pasta attachment? Debating whether or not to buy it.

Emily

[katandbob]

or Martha Stewart always uses one, if you ever watch her...


Ahh Yes....in the deep recesses of DTTV (day time TV) memories but I prefered her when she was a craft making/home cooking gal - not the current version ;)

Kat

[Ana&Steve]

Ana,

Do you have the Professional or the Artisan? Have you used the pasta attachment? Debating whether or not to buy it.

Emily

I have the chrome Artisan; I have never used the the pasta maker (or the sausage stuffer :o ) but my auntie uses both and loves it. (Hers is 15 or more years old.) We mostly use ours for grating/juicing fruit and vegge and mixing honey for our Mead! :D I use it for scratch baking and buttercream frosting, too. I say get one; there are soooo many attachments, you'll be finding all kinds of uses for it!
Ana

[Ana&Steve]

Ahh Yes....in the deep recesses of DTTV (day time TV) memories but I prefered her when she was a craft making/home cooking gal - not the current version ;)

Kat

Me too! Only saw one post-prison show...meh.
Ana

[Bruckner]

We mostly use ours for grating/juicing fruit and vegge and mixing honey for our Mead! :D Ana

You make your own Mead? I am impressed!

Emily

[Ana&Steve]

You make your own Mead? I am impressed!

Emily

Sorry it took so long to get back to you on that, we were at a Ren Faire all weekend, drinking our Mead! (Made from NZ honey we brought back in March :) ) Yep, we make mead and cider, mine sweet, hubby's dry. We hope to continue making it when we get to NZ; homebrewed mead kicks the commercial stuff's butt any day!
Ana

[Bruckner]

We have to meet on in NZ if only to drink mead and cider and moan over the lack of good Mexican food.

Emily

[Ana&Steve]

You got it! What's your ETA and where (what town) will you start?
Ana

[Bruckner]

Either Auckland or Wellington, depending on where Greg gets a job. We're flying out late August 2007 and spending a few weeks in the North County area beforehand - Oceanside and Vista. Also heading down to Poway and possibly out to Alpine too. Greg is one of eleven so he's got a big family. We will have one week of down time up in Tehacaphi too.

What are your plans?

Emily

[Ana&Steve]

spending a few weeks in the North County area beforehand - Oceanside and Vista. Also heading down to Poway and possibly out to Alpine too.
Emily
OMG! We live in Escondido, and Steve works in Carlsbad, we're mixed right in with the places you named. However, we hope to be in NZ by May, so we won't be home when you're through here. We also will be depending on a job to tell us where we'll end up, but our friends Sean and Judy now live in Auckland, so that will be a big factor. I do like Welly, too, except for the wind, but I think home location fixes the worst of it. We'll see you on the other side, one way or another!
Ana
PS So sorry for hijacking the transformers thread :o