Electrician question - Voltage power etc?

Clipsey

Clipsey

Clipsey

Soldato
Joined
26 Nov 2004
Posts
6,167
Location
Near Windy City, USA
Just in England at the moment (:D) visiting home and I have a rather cool wall-mount electric fire place I want to send home to the States. However, I am unsure as to whether it will work (need to be 100% sure as shipping is not cheap).
I have no idea when it comes to this stuff so wondering whether a simple plug converter would be enough or would I need an 'up-transformer' to give the extra juice it may require?? :confused: (do they even work?)

Just for reference on the back of the fire place these are the volts etc
Volts: 230-240v 50hz
Watts: 420W
Elements: 120W
Bulbs: 5 x 60W
Motors: 1 x 2.5W
It has a standard UK plug all metal prongs. Also on a side not it can give out some heat - but I will not ever use that.

Any help/ideas will be much appreciated :)
 
Yeah I know that's what they have over there, just wondering whether that would need something different given those figures? Everything I have ever used over there works just fine except for my sonicare toothbrush.
I have found converters here: http://www.threedoubleyou.com/convertpower.htm (towards the bottom - have 3 different ones I think)
But they are only about 8-13pounds - would they be ok if need be?
 
Clipsey said:
I have found converters here: http://www.threedoubleyou.com/convertpower.htm (towards the bottom - have 3 different ones I think)
But they are only about 8-13pounds - would they be ok if need be?
Click to expand...

No the wattage is to low, the only suitable one they do is the 800w one.
The firepalce is arted at 420w and to be safer add another 20% so you need a 500w converter. Which will be big and ugly.

Edit- actually they do, do a 500watt one for £68 (2nd one up). Tbh for something that is used a lot, it's not worth it.
 
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But would I need that much wattage if I am not going to use the heat from it?
Just purely want the lights and motor I guess to work.
 
Clipsey said:
But would I need that much wattage if I am not going to use the heat from it?
Just purely want the lights and motor I guess to work.
Click to expand...

The lights are 5x60w. so thats 300watts anyway, plus any over heads. I wouldn't risk it.
300w for the lighting and 120w for the heating.
 
Ahh I see what you mean. So if we have 230-240v and USA has 110v what wattage do they both output?
Don't really want a huge transformer to have to plug into :(
Thanks for the help by the way.
 
Clipsey said:
Ahh I see what you mean. So if we have 230-240v and USA has 110v what wattage do they both output?
Don't really want a huge transformer to have to plug into :(
Thanks for the help by the way.
Click to expand...

they will both out put what ever wattage you want (within reason) no idea what the max wattage a mains supply can handle. The things is the transform needs to be rated for what ever wattage the device needs. In your case that's 300w for just lights or 420watts for the lot. You then ideally need a safety margin.
But you'll be looking at a hefty converter.
 
Ah ok - if that's going to be the case think I'll just try and sell it quickly and try and buy one out there.
 
Anyone else remember the uproar and mockery when dvdbunny asked the exact same question (different appliance.. but still the same question)?
 
If I used a transformer over here which steps down to 110v - would this be an exact scenario of what happens in the States?
 
^ Yep, pretty much (50Hz tho).

If it's only tungsten filament bulbs, they may work but glow really really dim due to half the voltage... Give it a go with the 110v trafo. :)
 
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