Step down converter advice needed 220v

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Kiwi1971

696 posts

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#106165 19-Jul-2012 08:56

My colleague impulsively bought a coffee machine from Amazon.com only to find that it was [of course] 110v [1100W] So she is now has to look for a step-down converter solution that will accommodate this voltage/wattage.

I think she is looking down the barrel of a few hundred dollars but just in case anyone knows of a more economical solution I thought I would ask here.

Cheers

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#658180 19-Jul-2012 09:00

It depends entirely what the power consumption is.

A cheap step down transformer will cost $30 or $40 or so from any electrical wholesaler or store such as DSE or Jaycar.

If you've got a coffee machine is probably drawing 1000 watts plus you will be looking at some serious $ for a transformer, somewhere along the lines of a few hundred $ which you've already looked at.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#658183 19-Jul-2012 09:04

sbiddle: It depends entirely what the power consumption is.

A cheap step down transformer will cost $30 or $40 or so from any electrical wholesaler or store such as DSE or Jaycar.

If you've got a coffee machine is probably drawing 1000 watts plus you will be looking at some serious $ for a transformer, somewhere along the lines of a few hundred $ which you've already looked at.

Thanks, I had a quick look for her online and DSE had one for $249 that was up to 600W.

I think she will be better off sending it back and biting the bullet on postage and restocking charges.
She just returned from Europe where everyone had them and just had to have it.

richms

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#658690 19-Jul-2012 21:02

Watch trademe for a used one. They go pretty cheap.

Richard rich.ms

Michael11234

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#659501 21-Jul-2012 12:09

Personally i would send it back depending on the price of postage because once you buy a step down converter it will likely surpass the cost of the coffee machine plus clutter of a step down converter.

Pock

156 posts

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#659509 21-Jul-2012 12:33

Yeah, 1100w is a lot. The transformer isn't going to be cheap, and will probably be quite large (and ugly).

khull

1245 posts

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#659511 21-Jul-2012 12:36

Pock is correct, not only will a 1000-2000w rated step down transformer ugly, it is also heavy and inefficient.

Lesson to learn is never buy appliances from Amazon US - if you think you can get a good deal from buying a dyson fan heater for cheap it will end up costing you.

Appliances does not include electronics which most are dual voltage.

gzt

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#659529 21-Jul-2012 13:48

If it is a model avail in Europe or here you could look at getting a 240v element for it. If it has electronics you will need a power module as well. Sometimes these things can be cheaper than you might think, and if it is a very expensive model might be worthwhile.

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Azzura

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#659650 21-Jul-2012 18:42

Glade we brought 5 x 2000W step down transformers with us (when moving here). It's sickening to think they cost a paltry $75usd in North America...it is eye watering to think what they would cost in NZ.