Moving from US to NZ

Gerry · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:45 am Post subject: Moving from US to NZ

Hi
I'm new to this board so if someone has asked this before, please forgive the repetition.
I am a kiwi presently staying in the US for a few months. I'd love to ship a few items back to NZ, particularly a clohtes dryer. They are much bigger and more efficient here and since I run a B&B in NZ, I would find it very useful. Since US dryers run on 220V I had thought that they would work in NZ but I have been told by another member of this board (thanks) that this may not be the case. Apparently there is a problem with the number of ac cycles.
As something of an electrical moron I'm not quite sure what that means or if it can be corrected. Can anyone help?
Also, if anyone is moving to the south island in the next 6-8 months and has a little room on their container that they would be prepared to rent to me, I'd love to hear from you.
Good luck to all with your immigration applications. It will be worth it in the end
Gerry

JCM · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 7:21 am Post subject:

Hi Gerry, I'm not any sort of expert but I thought U.S. electrical gear operated at 120 V. Are driers some sore of exception with built in transformers?

Gerry · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 7:55 am Post subject: Driers

You're right about US appliances in general but most driers (and I think ovens) require 220V even in the States. This is achieved by wiring two 110V circuits together and is placed on a special (differently shaped) socket in the wall in kitchens and laundries. THe reason is that 110V does not have the muscle to provide quick heat in large quanitites.

I'm hoping therefore that this means I can transport a US drier to NZ. Predictably they are bigger and better. But I have been warned that the phase difference might cause problems (whatever that means).

The saddest point of this entire thread is that many years ago I used to teach physics.............. no wonder education is in such a sorry state.

JCM · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject:

Gerry, this might help.

Frequency is unimportant to the normal operation of most loads: most motor driven loads will simply run at a slightly different speed than they did at their rated frequency; simple heating equipment (broilers, coffee pots, etc.) will operate with no problem at all. However, motor loads whose proper operation depends upon frequency, such as clocks, turntables, timers, cassette players, etc. must be converted for voltage with a transformer and then also have their gears and/or pulleys changed for speed correction.

Some motor loads are heat sensitive to frequency changes. To avoid overheating sensitive motors, such as those that continuously stop and start, or run non-stop -- refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, shop equipment, etc., it is good practice to run 60 Hz motors at 10% less voltage when operated on 50Hz (e.g. 115 V 60 Hz equipment should operate at 100 - 105 V at 50 Hz). Conversely, to obtain full power from a 50 Hz motor operated on 60 Hz, it is necessary to supply it with 10% extra voltage (e.g. 220 V at 50 Hz should be operated at 250 - 260 V at 60 Hz).

http://www.toddsystems.com/geninfo.html

So according to this, you could probably operate at 60 Hz without a problem but preferably at 200 V. You would either need to step down the voltage a little or just run at 240 V and hope for the best. fingers crossed

richsadams · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: U.S. 220V Vs NZ 220V

Hi Gerry and All,

I've got some background in electronics and have been doing a LOT of research as we have some great high-end equipment I just can't part with. Eek

The good news is most U.S. electronics will work in New Zealand! Mr. Green

You can buy inexpensive (US$10 or so) travel converters for small appliances like hair dryers, battery chargers and such at stores like Radio Shack or larger variety stores like Target. Things that require more juice like stereos can be used with the aid of a voltage converter or better yet, a voltage transformer. (Transformers "regulate" voltage supplies...better protection for your equipment!) Either will "step down" 220 volt New Zealand power to 110 volts. Transformers are rated in watts. They make small ones, say 50 watts up to some big bruisers that can handle 5000 watts and higher. (Keep in mind NZ electricity ain't cheap so turn things off when you're done with them!) To know what transformer to buy for each piece of equipment, you have to know how many watts your little precious uses. This can usually be found on a sticker near where the power cord comes out. If it only lists voltage and amps you can figure out the wattage by multiplying the two. Make sure to allow for some extra juice, add about 10% to 20% to the total wattage when deciding on a transformer, particularly for those that will run most of the time. (TV's "spike" when turned on so allow at least an extra 100 to 150 watts...more on TV's below)

It is true that the difference in cycles per second or hertz (US=60Hz, NZ=50Hz) usually doesn't matter. U.S. 110V/60Hz clocks and items that need to keep time won't be accurate on a 50Hz system. (A VCR would work, but its clock would always be wrong...but then it's always flashing 12:00 anyway...so what?) Wink

U.S. 110V motors designed to run at 60Hz will run slightly slower on 50Hz, but generally no harm done. Nice One

Now you'll need to weigh the cost of shipping your equipment against its value and the transformers you'll need to buy to run everything. (You CAN use one transformer to run more than one item, just make sure the wattage rating is HIGHER than the total of everything plugged into it!)

Here are some sites that sell voltage converters, transformers and the like:

http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com

http://www.starkelectronic.com/franzus.htm

No idea how good they are because I haven't purchased anything yet...but they have a wide variety and you can get an idea about pricing.

NOTE: TV signals in the U.S. are NTSC and in NZ they are PAL B, so you cannot use your U.S. TV in NZ to watch "normal programming" unless you buy a signal converter...but that's a whole other thread. (We're taking our projection TV so we can watch our old DVD's anyway. Do you think they'll ever get High Def? Rolling Eyes

)

I'm working on hacking a Series 1 TiVo for NZ (it can be done!)...I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Almost all computers run on both 110V 60Hz or 220V 50Hz. Laptop power modules would only need a plug adaptor (look on the power pack and it will list 110V/220V). Most desktops have a switch inside. This saves companies from building multiple power systems. Check with the manufacturer about your particular model, flip the switch and you're in business. (If it's too scary to open up your PC, take it to a repair shop and they'll be happy to charge you for it...oh what the heck...be brave!) Laughing

Unfortunately all of this doesn't have anything to do with the difference in U.S. and NZ 220V electricity...the juice electric clothes dryers and a few other things need. The difference has to do with electrical phase. The U.S. uses two phase electricity to supply 220V appliances. NZ uses single phase 220V electricity so the appliances are not interchangeable. Rolling Eyes

Here are a couple of excerpts from other web forums I found:

Gerry · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:16 pm Post subject: Of volts and beer

Well, I guess that answers that question.

Anyone want to buy a dryer?

Nice post Rick. Thanks forhelping me out with that. Maybe I'll have to supply the case of Lion Red when you get down here. Actually you can have all the Lion Red I own - it has been suggested that it tends to taste like someone drank it once already, although I could never agree with such a statement. If you're looking for good beer in NZ, the two top contenders have to be Founders Brewery out Nelson, with Emmersons from Dunedin coming in a close second place.

Dryers , I may not know, but beer..................

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Rich,
Do you know how much a signal converter would run? We have a 60' HD tv that is like my child LOL.I always watch movies on the weekend on it and will miss it dearly if I can't take it.

Michelle

bigshotla · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 17 Nov 2003 Posts: 16

Okay, Rich, you've nominated yourself the electronics guru. We weren't considering bringing our Tivo - but now I'm curious. Should we? J'aime my Tivo.....and will it really work there?

Also, what about DVD players and equalizers. Should we just plan on replacing it all? Doesn't using a converter shorten the lifespan of the equipment?

Best,
Liz

richsadams · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 12:37 pm Post subject: Electronics - DVD's - TiVo, etc.

Hi Michelle, Bigshot and All,

Sorry for the delay, just got back into town.

Let's see, with regard to a signal converter (PAL to NTSC) for your television, here is a website I've found that sells them...

http://www.220-electronics.com/comworld.htm

Not sure of the company or quality, but a good place to start.

There are other companies selling other brands. I’m told the Emerson brand is not very good, but that’s only from a post on another board…maybe put there by someone selling something else! Rolling Eyes

As far as DVD players...depends on what you're connecting it to. Of course if it's a U.S. DVD player being connected to your U.S. NTSC T.V., then no problem as long as you're playing U.S. DVD's But if you rent or buy NZ DVD's they likely won't play. (Some U.S. DVD players can be made multi-region...they sell instructions on ebay, but I've never tried it.) Hmmm

I would save up some change and buy a multi-region DVD player (you can buy one for $125 USD or less). Ensure that it plays all region DVD's (U.S. is Region 1, New Zealand is Region 4) and that it will play on both NTSC and PAL televisions. Most are dual voltage so you'll only need a plug adaptor to use it in NZ. Better to buy it in the U.S. and ship it either with your "stuff" or just mail it to yourself before you leave forever. Mr. Green

Here are a few places that sell multi-region DVD’s…

http://www.regioncodefreedvd.com/products.htm

http://www.planetomni.com/index.shtml

http://www.codefreedvd-vcr-tv.com/dvd-player.html

And just for the heck of it, a good NZ DVD website…

http://www.dvdshopnz.co.nz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=D

Some of the DVD players are "code free" as well. That means when you want to skip that annoying FBI warning at the beginning of the movie...no problemo!! Many of these places also sell multi-system televisions. Multi-system T.V.’s can receive both NTSC and PAL signals and most are dual voltage as well. Here is a good FAQ page about multi-system televisions…

http://www.planetomni.com/FAQ_tv.shtml

Ideally, buying a multi-system television and a multi-region DVD player is the answer. But then there are a couple of bucks involved. Using transformers and converters is a quick fix particularly if you’ve spent a lot on a nice U.S. home theater already!

With respect to an equalizer, I'm assuming it's an audio equalizer. It'll need power conversion like the rest of your equipment, but shouldn't be a problem otherwise.

The life expectancy of any equipment can be shortened (or ended) when incorrect power is applied. If you’re going to use your U.S. 110V T.V., DVD player, receiver, etc. in NZ, make sure to purchase the proper electrical transformers…not converters (not to be confused with signal converters). Transformers and/or voltage stabilizers regulate the electricity going to the equipment. They are designed to catch spikes, fluctuations, etc. and keep things at 110V 24/7. You can even put a surge protector in between if you’ll sleep better. cool

And again, small appliances can use the inexpensive travel-style electrical converters as they generally don’t cause power surges when started and won’t be running all of the time. Here's good news...most hair dryers are set up for 110V or 220V! Yes

So you've already saved 20 bucks!! (Beware of other things that are made to heat things though...they use a LOT of juice and are probably best replaced.)

With regard to TiVo, I’ve been "talking" with a fellow in Wellington that has managed, with the help of a local, to hack a Series 1 unit to work in NZ…PAL signals and all. The guide is still an issue, but it’s better than no TiVo at all. Apparently the pioneers are the Aussies. (They don’t have TiVo in Oz either). They’ve done a pretty good job of hacking TiVo there and the technology is identical in NZ. Here’s a quote from the guy in Wellington…

MichelleW · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject:

Thank you very much Rich!! That was most helpful!

Michelle