Allotments 4 All

General => The Shed => Topic started by: littlegem on June 22, 2006, 21:42:35

Title: USA electrical goods
Post by: littlegem on June 22, 2006, 21:42:35
I want one of those food dehydrators, on ebay they are about £50. but ones from US on ebay are only about £5/10 with delivery about £20.

Can we use them over here in UK, or do they need adaptors and stuff, and will that impair the performance?

Please help me, i am in desperate need of a dehydrator (to add to the rest of kitchen appliances) but cannot afford one off UK ebay, never mind brand new in shop!   ::)
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 22, 2006, 22:36:50
I think the voltages in the US are different, but do check.
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: Leonnie on June 22, 2006, 23:04:23
Unless it says for UK use I'd assume the voltage is not right for this country.
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: MikeB on June 23, 2006, 07:41:12
The voltage in the USA is 110-120volts, here in the UK it's 240v, so you will need a transformer to convert the voltage from 110 to 240. The price of a transformer ranges from £20 upwards, from builders merchants (site tools are at 110v to reduce stealing), sorry.

The sort of thing you are looking for can be found here

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Transformer_Index/USA_110volt_Convertor_Transformer/
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: SMP1704 on June 23, 2006, 08:38:34
You can also get an adaptor from Maplins for about £20.00 - now when you add all of that together, you are still looking at about £50, so if you absolutely, definately have to have that dehydrator, then you might just as well go for a UK one ::)

Have you tried looking in Loot?
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: umshamrock on June 23, 2006, 08:46:03
Hi
I'm an American living in the UK, and everything I brought with me when I moved here has since exploded even with a proper adapter and voltage converter. I am talking sparks flying and loud noises. So I totally wouldn't by one from the States unless it is dual voltage.
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: shirlthegirl43 on June 23, 2006, 08:58:41
Hi all,

I am a Brit but have lived in the US a time or two and have loads of stuff that we brought back with us.  My OH collects jukeboxes and valve radios and I love the kitchen gadgets from there - didn't buy a dehydrator yet though I wanted one!

Can only say that so long as you make sure your voltage converter is big enough to power the item you are using, you won't have a problem.

If you buy a 'travel adaptor' and try that you will have trouble.

Good luck
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 23, 2006, 18:42:53
If you're buying a voltage convertor always buy a hefty one. it pays in the long run as they last far better when they work at a fraction of their maximum capacity, and so does whatever
Title: Re: USA electrical goods
Post by: littlegem on June 23, 2006, 20:59:27
thanks everyone, have looked into the convertor thing and would need at least 240va and they come in 200 and 300 (amongst others) which on the link above is over £30, so looks one in UK will be cheaper!  ::)

Thanks again though everyone, great help - as usual  :)