I am in the process of moving to Canada and wanted any tips from people with experience of selling all their electrical goods they didn't take to Canada, such as via EBay or other and what sort of % value of original RRP did you extract for good condition kit? I am going to sincerely thank any credible tips in advance just in case I am swamped with replies!

I sold mine to people at work. Around 50% (but not less) of (current) RRP. Had lots of interest and sold everything that I wanted to sell.

i put all mine on ebay (fees upto 10%, and recently put the max figure up from £40 to £75 i believe), or gumtree (free),

some items that are not worth too much could be donated or put on something like freecycle..
guess it depends how old the stuff it and what condition it is in.

hamazz

I thought about taking my stuff and using a step up transformer like this

To clarify, canada uses 110V 60HZ? I wonder will the different frequency (UK 50HZ) mean this is not possible?

i had something like that that i hard wired from the fuse box to specific sockets in certain rooms where i needed them and used it like that, came in handy, but had to make sure i dont put the wrong cables in the wrong sockets. it helps because it keeps it out of site

hamazz

And that worked fine despite the difference in frequency?

If thats the case I`ll buy a couple and take them with me

it worked where i put them, but wasnt in canada, im sure you can find similar ones running 60hz,

hamazz

Somehow I doubt that - Changing voltage is relatively straight forward with a transformer but frequency (cycles/second) is not so straight forward

Where did you use them if it wasnt in Canada? I ask so I can check the frequency in that locality

was in cairo, egypt for a project.

most equipment that runs 50hz, sometimes allows 60hz, there is normally a range which it can work on, like mobile chargers/laptop chargers do 110-240v and 50-60hz in the same unit

dont think it will be too much of an issue, you could always get a 50-60hz converter unit. im sure someone else on here will confirm whether or not there is an issue.

hamazz

I'm also interested in this, so does anyone know whether you run a transformer AND and frequency converter together or is there one that is combined and does it all for you.

I would like to take some electrical items with me to Canada from the UK because they are not that old and I may as well use them until they come end of life. UK things with motors will not run properly in Canada without changing the hz rating. I'm trying to work out how to do this, any one know?

There's plenty on this in the Wiki.

Received wisdom (and personal experience) seems to be distilled thus:

• if it has an AC motor or a heater, don't bother. Heating elements draw a lot of power (so you need a large and heavy transformer to step up the voltage) while motors typically are designed to run on 50Hz and don't appreciate the 20% increase in frequency. They'll still work, but they'll run over-speed and wear out quicker.
• Portable electrical items and a surprising number of electronic devices (even if they don't say so on the plate on the back) are often multi-voltage, so just change the plug or use a converter and plug it straight in.
• If you do want to step-up the voltage then make sure you get a transformer rated above the power consumption of the device it's going to drive. They're relatively easy to get in Canada (www.voltageconvertors.com ships across the country and are reasonably priced).
• large appliances/white goods are not worth the hassle of bringing. Rental properties often come with them in place, houses for sale are typically sold with built-in appliances in place and may have options on buying laundry/fridge appliances too.

The motor will run but at the wrong speed. I found that this made records by, for example, Minnie Ripperton, almost bearable. Paul McCartney is, however, as bad at 60hz as at 50.

+1

It is possible to buy frequecny convertors but unless you want to spend a small fortune on one then go with the above!

Am I the only other one who actually knows who Minnie Ripperton is, and what you mean by this?!