Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

There's been a lot of discussion in the past here about whether this is true or not and people had strong opinions. Basically nobody really knew for sure and I wouldn't want to be the first to find out, so my personal take is not to risk it.
To the OP - I would be wary of putting a laser printer on a voltage converter unless it can handle the high surge current when it's first powered on.

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

if the voltage converter devices are UL/CSA approved products then there should be no issue.

As far as 220V in Canada - most all household laundry dryers run off 220v.

Contact a licensed electrician about having 220v outlets - do not do it yourself ever.

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

This is a common thread, but we have in the 10yrs I’ve been on this site never had anyone confirm it as true, but many suggestions its false and a few comments from people in the insurance industry comment that they believe it to be false

What is worth considering that the closest I’ve come is a statement that suggested that any electronic items need to be approved by a recognised industry standards body, the biggest two bodies are UL and CE, UL being the states and CE being Europe, it would be hard to buy anything that in the UK that isn’t CE covered!

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

Beware of things that are CE marked that come from China.

Those cunning chaps over there have started marking cheap dangerous crap with CE.

They can of course do this, because they have decided that it stands for Chinese Export...

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

For those items which are to often too cheap to be true, they'll add UL on it too if you ask nicely

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

OMG, here we go again... new electrical thread, same old insurance chestnut.

Look, it's nonsense. Nobody who thinks this is a real thing has ever been able to quote one shred of evidence to support their assertion. Conversely, several individuals who work in the insurance industry (a broker or two, a loss adjuster) have said that they know of no such provision anywhere in Canada from a single underwriter providing domestic insurance.

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

Sewing machine: the motor will turn 20% faster (60Hz vs 50Hz electricity) but that will mean you just have to be a bit lighter with the presser foot. If it were running flat-out constantly, the motor might run a bit hotter and/or wear more quickly, but that's not how most people operate sewing machines!

Laser printer: check the power supply - it may already be 110-240V capable, either auto-detecting or through a switch on the power supply unit. Sometimes this switch may not be visible without taking a cover panel off the back of the machine. What is the make and model? We can probably find out for you, between us.

Food processor: pretty much the same comments as for sewing machine. Food processors tend to have quite meaty ('scuse the pun) motors, though, so check the rating panel on the back or underneath to see what power rating (watts) you need in the transformer. Transformers upwards of 1kw get quite big & heavy, so become a consideration if you're having to lug it out of a cupboard every time you want to shred a lettuce.

Wii: the bigger issue is whether you can get a picture on your Canadian TV. I imagine UK wii's output via a SCART connection? Those are not used in North America, so you'd need to have a different A/V cable: and if that's a composite video cable there may be signal synchronization issues. If you're now contemplating bringing your UK TV as well, plug the wii into that, use the HDMI inputs for other sources (DVD/cable etc), and you're all set. Again, depending on the TV it may not even need a voltage converter as the power supply might already be rated for 110-240V - look carefully at the panel on the back!

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

As some of you will already know, this is a subject that really bugs me!
Most things electrical will work! Even hairdryers. Using a voltage converter, they may run a bit faster/slower, hotter/cooler. But to say a hairdryer is a fire risk just because it's being run through a voltage converter is just nuts! Who plugs in a hairdryer then places it on a towel and walks away and leaves it for an hour?

I've actually checked with our insurers and using a voltage converter does not invalidate our insurance. Nor does using a drill that came from the UK. Bosch is a pretty common make over here and I'm pretty sure they're safe to use.

It seems to be a minority of people who perhaps feel slightly miffed they left a load of electrical stuff in the UK when they moved that perpetuate these myths that stuff won't work or it will blow up in your hand! Unless you absolutely know it won't work, or it has a huge UK resale value, what's the harm in bringing it with you? I'm still running UK bought monitors, UK printers, UK stereo, UK mixing desks/music stuff, kitchen stuff, bedroom lights etc etc etc!!!

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

This is super helpful. We have been investigating our various electronics... our printer is definitely dual voltage, so we had that shipped. We have two kitchen appliances, though, a Nespresso coffee maker, and a Cuisinart hand blender, that were gifts. We have left them with my in-laws in the UK for now, but found a voltage converter that someone linked to on this thread (thanks!) that looks like it will enable us to use both. It looks like the only thing we can't sort out is the kettle, as the wattage is simply too high. But everything else should be fair game!! :)

This thread has been very helpful. Thanks to those who have chipped in on the insurance debate as well, as I'd also heard it invalidates the insurance but then didn't find anything to back it up... so I'm glad to hear it's hogwash! :)

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

We are shipping everything electrical apart from white goods (including my beloved American-style Fridge Freezer with ice and water), the Sky box (useless), Flymo and strimmer (as they are on their last legs) and anything that is faulty or crap (eg 4 slice toaster that has blown one half, worlds loudest kettle).

Some of it will require a voltage converter (Brother laser printer, Sharp 37" TV, corded and cordless power tools, my Bean-to-Cup coffee machine, hair dryers etc), however the rest of the stuff is all universal voltage including main telly, server, other printer/scanner etc).

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

Don’t do this unless you know what you’re doing!!
But a kettle is a good “bring” as the higher wattage result in a faster boil
Set the kettle up to run on a 220v circuit, most NA kitchen have 220v available, if this mean nothing don’t bring it

FYI My Canadian wife has kept a UK kettle in the kitchen for the last ten yrs

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

How does the wattage work? Most UK kettles need 2300 watts... even off th 240v line... (admittedly my knowledge on this gets confused in about two seconds, Mr SchnookoLoly knows way more about this stuff, and he said not to bother with the kettle because you'd definitely have to run a 240v line, but the wattage still is a problem...)

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

Good news....

We are waiting for residency to ship our things over.
We have 30 boxes at my Mum's ready to come over.
So now I know I can bring the sewing machine, kitchen aid etc.

We have already bought new TV, playstation etc so no worries there..

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

not sure where in Ontario you are headed, but there is a store in Mississauga called A1 electronic parts. a1parts.com.

A ridiculously messy store with crap everywhere, but if you ask the staff for something they run around find it for you.

I got the converter for an xbox from there (has very high wattage) so needed a pretty big converter. cost about $25 i think.

Re: Voltage convertor for selected items
 

Forget that place, you need to head to Matheson & Dixie in mississauga just south of the 401

You'll find Sayal electrionics and AA electronics, two very good shops and neat and well priced too..