American Voltage to New Zealand Voltage

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hamisht

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#138383 1-Jan-2014 17:46

Hi all!

I'm wanting to import a Seamer Down Now machine (http://www.tools4flooring.com/seamer-down-now-pro-series-ultimate-carpet-weight.html#.UsOcmPQW1LA) for my work (Carpet Layer), but because it's from America, its 110 Volts..

How much do you think it would cost to get it converted to NZ voltage?

I know I can buy an inverter, but having another box to go with it just makes it more difficult to use.

You can buy them here from Guilt Edge, but they charge over $NZ500 for it, so that's why i'm wanting to import it instead..

any electricians out there that can give me some advice.. is it even possible to change the inside bits?

Thanks!

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#960021 1-Jan-2014 18:11

Could be pretty hard to say if it can be converted easily. It may be universal and just need a new plug, it may need a whole new power supply. Also consider the shipping cost and if it attracts GST/customs fees (you'd get GST back if it's for a business) and the NZ price might be worth paying.

gregmcc

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#960048 1-Jan-2014 18:40

unlikely to be able to do a voltage conversion that would not be expensive, 1st problem 2HP motor, about 1500W, this would have to be replaced with a 230V version of this motor, unlikely to get this off the shelf, most likely have to get the motor rewound professionally, $300-$400, plus how is the motor controlled? are there electronics in the unit that can be converted to 230V?? a bit of an unknown.

Other option is get a 230V-110V 2KVA stepdown transformer, it will weigh around 50kgs and be about $800, very expensive and very cumbersome

It may not be practical in the long run.

Greg

Registered Electrician

hamisht

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#960049 1-Jan-2014 18:42

Shipping is just under $NZ50 based off the box dimensions and weight (free to my YouShop address in USA), so it's definitely worth it if the conversion can be done cheaply..

I know on some devices it's just matter of changing the power cable, but this one i can't tell.. I suppose no one can actually say for certain I guess..

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hamisht

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#960059 1-Jan-2014 18:47

gregmcc: unlikely to be able to do a voltage conversion that would not be expensive, 1st problem 2HP motor, about 1500W, this would have to be replaced with a 230V version of this motor, unlikely to get this off the shelf, most likely have to get the motor rewound professionally, $300-$400, plus how is the motor controlled? are there electronics in the unit that can be converted to 230V?? a bit of an unknown.

Other option is get a 230V-110V 2KVA stepdown transformer, it will weigh around 50kgs and be about $800, very expensive and very cumbersome

It may not be practical in the long run.

Greg

Registered Electrician

Thanks for that info mate, appreciate it. Yeah the stepdown transformer is out of the question, I currently use one on a Kool Glide machine and it's a pain in the *bottom* to lug around.

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oxnsox

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#960101 1-Jan-2014 20:48

Perhaps a silly question. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer/retailer/wholesaler to see if they offer an 'international' or 230v version? ?

jpoc

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#960140 1-Jan-2014 22:21

oxnsox: Perhaps a silly question. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer/retailer/wholesaler to see if they offer an 'international' or 230v version? ?

They do, they list it on their website and they say that the 230V international version is available in NZ through Gilt Edge the NZ official distro.

hamisht

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#960142 1-Jan-2014 22:33

jpoc:
oxnsox: Perhaps a silly question. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer/retailer/wholesaler to see if they offer an 'international' or 230v version? ?

They do, they list it on their website and they say that the 230V international version is available in NZ through Gilt Edge the NZ official distro.

Indeed, but their mark-up is ridiculous. I've emailed Guilt-Edge numerous times about their tools and products, and every time i've ended up importing from USA for well under half the price (including shipping to NZ).

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jpoc

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#960157 2-Jan-2014 00:00

If I was after one of these, I would fancy my chances of making one in the garage over a couple of weekends.

If I am correct in my understanding of how it works, it is basically a tool for a vacuum cleaner but the vacuum cleaner comes built in hence the high price and the i18n issues.

Blag a suitable lump of Aluminium from some local metal supplies outfit and drill lots of holes or cut a few slots and when you are done polish the underside. Make up some hood/cowl arrangement out of plywood/epoxy/glass-tape and screw the two parts together. Buy a cheap vacuum next time Godfrey's or the Warehouse have a sale. Select one of the tools that come with the vacuum and cut off the business end. That leaves you with a small stub pipe that will fit into the vacuum cleaner hose. Cut a hole in the plywood to take the stub and glass/epoxy it into place.

There you are - fifty bucks for the materials plus a vac and you are in business.

If you really want to impress, try buying one of those roomba robovacs next time Godfrey's have them on sale. Rip out all of the twirly brushes etc and replace them with a flat plate and your seam fixer will follow you round the room all by itself! (OK that part may not be so simple but it sure would be cool.)

Zeon

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#960165 2-Jan-2014 01:27

Feel your pain about NZ distributors and markup. With electronics that run on DC like computers, having an auto switching power supply isn't too hard. But as has been said, considering it has a 2HP motor that most likely is an AC in which case it will be tricky to change. Perhaps contact a US distro and see if they can order in a 230v version for you to send to your Youshop address?

When we buy stuff from US suppliers whose suppliers have exclusive distributors, there are always ways around any limitations.

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surfisup1000

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#960176 2-Jan-2014 08:05

hamisht: Hi all!

You can buy them here from Guilt Edge, but they charge over $NZ500 for it, so that's why i'm wanting to import it instead..

Thanks!

Perhaps you can complain to the manufacturer about the price their "NZ" distributor is charging. They might be appalled too. But, they also may not care about minnows.

hamisht

389 posts

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#960177 2-Jan-2014 08:18

surfisup1000:
hamisht: Hi all!

You can buy them here from Guilt Edge, but they charge over $NZ500 for it, so that's why i'm wanting to import it instead..

Thanks!

Perhaps you can complain to the manufacturer about the price their "NZ" distributor is charging. They might be appalled too. But, they also may not care about minnows.

I'm sure they don't mind. Once they sell it to guilt edge, it's out of their hands.

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surfisup1000

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#960178 2-Jan-2014 08:28

hamisht:
surfisup1000:
hamisht: Hi all!

You can buy them here from Guilt Edge, but they charge over $NZ500 for it, so that's why i'm wanting to import it instead..

Thanks!

Perhaps you can complain to the manufacturer about the price their "NZ" distributor is charging. They might be appalled too. But, they also may not care about minnows.

I'm sure they don't mind. Once they sell it to guilt edge, it's out of their hands.

It depends whether 'gilt edge' is an 'official' NZ importer. In that case, they would have an agreement with the manufacturer (or overseas agent) that they are the only NZ supplier.

It does happen for various reasons, eg renaissance lost their 'apple' importer contract a couple of years back. Not sure why, probably apple wanted more control now that times are good.

oxnsox

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#960180 2-Jan-2014 08:33

hamisht:
surfisup1000:
hamisht: Hi all!

You can buy them here from Guilt Edge, but they charge over $NZ500 for it, so that's why i'm wanting to import it instead..

Thanks!

Perhaps you can complain to the manufacturer about the price their "NZ" distributor is charging. They might be appalled too. But, they also may not care about minnows.

I'm sure they don't mind. Once they sell it to guilt edge, it's out of their hands.

ok so they do make a 230v version.
Good on them for supporting their dealer channel...... but they probably have more than one dealer that sells the 230v unit. Have you looked at their dealers in say UK or Oz to see how their pricing compares?
(Of ccourse much of the increased cost could be the 230v motor, which would be uncommon, and higher priced, in the US)

Skolink

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#960228 2-Jan-2014 11:00

hamisht:
gregmcc: unlikely to be able to do a voltage conversion that would not be expensive, 1st problem 2HP motor, about 1500W, this would have to be replaced with a 230V version of this motor, unlikely to get this off the shelf, most likely have to get the motor rewound professionally, $300-$400, plus how is the motor controlled? are there electronics in the unit that can be converted to 230V?? a bit of an unknown.

Other option is get a 230V-110V 2KVA stepdown transformer, it will weigh around 50kgs and be about $800, very expensive and very cumbersome

It may not be practical in the long run.

Greg

Registered Electrician

Thanks for that info mate, appreciate it. Yeah the stepdown transformer is out of the question, I currently use one on a Kool Glide machine and it's a pain in the *bottom* to lug around.

Also the AC motor (and fan) will spin slower at 50 Hz rather than 60 Hz

jpoc

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#960278 2-Jan-2014 13:40

hamisht:
jpoc:
oxnsox: Perhaps a silly question. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer/retailer/wholesaler to see if they offer an 'international' or 230v version? ?

They do, they list it on their website and they say that the 230V international version is available in NZ through Gilt Edge the NZ official distro.

Indeed, but their mark-up is ridiculous. I've emailed Guilt-Edge numerous times about their tools and products, and every time i've ended up importing from USA for well under half the price (including shipping to NZ).

Is the mark up ridiculous.

The Seamer Down list price for that item is $400 which compares fairly with the Gilt Edge price. (BTW, why do you keep misspelling their name?)

The US seller to whom you linked seems to have a special price. Perhaps they buy in large quantities and get a discount from Seamer Down while the NZ distro is buing small quantities only and paying the full wholesale price.

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