Yorkiechef

So we brought a few tools and kitchen appliances with us from UK. Went to Canadian Tyre today to try and find a transformer/booster thing, they have no such thing according to the very aged man that dealt with us. Anyone know where I can get one please? Thank you

not2old

ebay, amazon.ca & google are worth searching

Just remember the maximum current from a Canadian AC outlet is 15 amps or approx 1650 watts

in the meantime

https://www.amazon.ca/Goldsource%C2%...34ZXEMQKKD6SN1

https://www.amazon.ca/Goldsource%C2%...YTPP5G332JWZFG

https://www.amazon.ca/Simran-AC-500-.../dp/B004MPR3XQ

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pdarwin

I've seen this place mentioned before. It's a US company and I don't have any experience of them:
https://www.220voltappliances.com/

Pulaski

Make sure you buy a transformer capable of handling more power (watts) than the most powerful appliance you will ever plug into it. I would recommend 25%-50% more, so a 1Kw transformer would be OK for any appliance upto say, around 750w. If you wanted a transformer capable of handling the maximum of 1,650w, I'd recommend a 2Kw transformer ..... well actually, I'd recommend not using anything more than about 1Kw plugged in to a transformer.

Yorkiechef

Thanks for the replies and messages, very much appreciated.
What about items such as shavers, elec toothbrushes and hair trimmers that in UK use a converter to bring them down to the appliance voltage - 110v I think, using a straight forward adapter three pin to two pin, they don't work! Any tips please? Thanks

Aviator

Buy new ones.

Photoplex

This.

Also, it's Canadian Tire. Yes, they use the American english spelling for some reason, despite being in a commonwealth country.

Siouxie

http://britishexpats.com/forum/maple.../#post10949429

You need a universal adapter, then plug that into the shaver plug. http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/category...rs/447275.aspx

Hair trimmer I really wouldn't bother with, they are dirt cheap from Walmarts!

The Source sell step up/down transformers as well. http://www.thesource.ca/en-ca/travel...ge=1&view=grid and they have a sale on them right now.

Edited to add, it may depend on the Hertz of your UK small appliances - you could look into getting one of these: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...2d37e95d4fen02

quiltman

Bit confused. I think what you call converters are merely adapters to allow the plug on your trimmers etc to fit into the local power sockets. They do not change the voltage from 230 down to 110. to do this you need a transformer - sometimes called a converter. Many small appliances are sold only to work on the voltage/frequency of the country they are sold in, or others that use the same. those that use a wall adapter often are 110/240v and so should work with just a plug adapter. For example, here we are on 220v60Hz but use US power sockets so we need a 3pin to 2 pin adaptor to fit the wall sockets. Luckily we don't have to use transformers. We have a couple of appliances we brought from Canada which are 110v only so they run off of 220/110v transformers, sold everywhere here. Most modern electronic systems - laptops, tablets, rechargeable shavers etc are designed to work on 110.240V 50/60Hz so all that is need is the pin adaptor. Check the labels on your appliances and if they say 230v only then get rid and buy new ones. If they say 110/240 then you're good to go.

Davita

The above item will NOT work in Canada.
It is only a step-down transformer/converter from 240VAC to 120VAC.
The OP needs a step-up transformer/converter from 120VAC to 240VAC to operate the equipment he brought from UK.
Check London Drugs...I believe I saw small transformers there...also any small electronic or dollar stores.
I recently bought a similar cube step-down from a dollar store in Vancouver to charge a waterpik (120VAC) which we bought 'on sale' in London Drugs to take to Bali (240VAC) ....cost C$8.

Pulaski

The OP should be aware that those sort of travel voltage converters are only suitable and safe for very low power devices, such as a shavers, toothbrushes, etc, upto about 200w. They are certainly not safe for hairdryers, or larger kitchen appliances such as food mixers, or anything with a heating element.

Davita

I agree with the Pulaski...these small travel cube-style transformers are only for small non-continuous loads and can be dangerous if used on high wattage. They heat-up and can cause fires....especially if the connector is also weak.

Proper step-up-down transformers are ventilated and often fitted with a fan to dissipate the heat they generate. They are also made of heavy grade material...not flimsy plastic.

not2old

fully agree on the power rating, as well as the type of device.

Power rating & safety is primary, also what about when these UK appliance breakdown or require service

From my post #2 earlier in the linked above types available

OP, if you are going the step up voltage adaptor/transformer route, then at least the 1000w unit at $68.99 cdn each, maybe two of those

Or one 2000w at $99.99 cdn each

Depends if the portable transformer type, moving it around the house for those UK small applicance devices is even worth it.

If it was me, I wouldn't bother buying the bulky one or two transformers - I'd go out & buy 110v replacement applicances, figuring the replacement cost of replacing them all or one by one. Check Walmart, they have some good pricing

A hairdryer

A portable electric drill set

A Blender/mixer, coffee maker, coffee grinder, kettle...

OP, did you bring over the vacuum cleaner also?

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SchnookoLoly

IF you're feeling really ambitious, you can talk to an electrician about running a 240V line off your oven. Most stoves/ovens run off a special 240V outlet. We talked to an electrician before we moved about whether it would be possible to run a line so we could bring our UK appliances. He said it's possible, yes, however the vast majority of homeowners' insurance policies won't cover damage related to non-NA appliances, regardless of whether or not they're run off a converter/power line/transformer/whatever. If your UK appliance causes a fire (either the appliance itself, or else at the socket it's plugged into, or in the transformer) then chances are home insurance won't cover the damage.

In the end we just sold our UK stuff and bought new NA stuff.

Pulaski

And if you're renting somewhere and have just done thousands of dollars of damage to your landlord's property (bear in mind that a fire in a timber-framed house frequently turns into a total loss), you will be in a serious financial pickle!