Dear all,

I've been in Canada for a short while now, and I've just discovered this forum, seems really good! I have a question regarding voltage converters, I miss using my ghd straightners and need to source a voltage converter, i'm looking online as canadian tire etc seems to have none! So really my question goes out to all other fans of hair straightners on the forum, do u know which wattage is necessary? I've read that even if straighteners say on them 35watt (which mine do), they can draw up to 200watts when you switch them on, to heat up quickly. I'm thus unsure if I should buy a voltage converter with an 100/200/300watt limit. Any ideas? Comments would be GREATLY appreciated

Welcome,

GHDs come up from time to time... a search threw up this thread (among lots of others)
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=GHD

Biiiink reported that a 100W transformer craped out on her with 70W irons, so overcapacity is the safest bet.

Theres also a wiki article for general advice.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Compat...f_Goods-Canada

www.voltageconverters.com do free delivery in Canada

You can buy GHD's from the U.S. on the GHD website I presume these would be the correct voltage and wattage for North America.

They cost an arm and a leg (as far as I'm concerned that is) but hey I'm male and bald what would I know.

http://www.ghdhair.com/us/ghd-iv-mini-styler

You can buy dual voltage ones in Canada now.......they work either here or the UK, actually you can buy them in the UK too, i believe all of the new GHDs are dual voltage, the canadian ones have a canadian plug and you just use an adapter if going to the uk and vice versa. I actually just picked up a pair in Calgary (Balzac mall) for $200, way cheaper than i paid for mine which i got 2 years ago at $400 USD!!

Dont buy a convertor, i took mine to a electrical store and the only compatible convertor was the size of the kitchen sink. Buy the ones with the dual voltage and you'll be ok

I have some 4 yr old UK GHDs - single voltage. I bought a 100W transformer for peanuts and have carried on using them. They transformer hums a bit whilst working but I have never had any issues and a darn site cheaper than buying a new pair of GHDs.

You can also use the converter for other small appliances.

Hope that helps,

PS my local electrical store sells transformers, so I bought one of the shelf - it's worth a google!

Using a convertor though still leaves you with the issues of travelling in north america, for me, i didnt want to lug around the convertor that was on offer at the electrical store as I travel too much and rely on my GHDs too much also.

If the plan is to stay in Canada long term then i would make the switch, if not then you could thnk of using the convertor

If you bought them in the UK/Europe they will be rated for use with 230v/50hz. If you use a north American plug adaptor you should be able to use them without a convertor, but they will only get up to half the rated maximum temperature taking you a bit longer to do your hair, as the north American electrical mains is 120v/60hz half the UK/European mains and derates the power rating by half. This will be safe to use without a convertor.

Another path you could go down is to get a price from an electrician to install you a 240v circuit and recepticle in your bedroom, and then compare the cost of a convertor. These types of circuits can be found in the kitchen and are usually connected to a high wattage appliance such as a dish washer or a cooker. As these appliances tend to run off 240v due to their high wattage power ratings. I don't suppose you want to do your hair in the kitchen but it's up to you, or you could have the kichen circuit extended into a downstairs bathroom if the local wiring codes permit it.

The things that will work without a convertor are appliances that produce heat, such as kettles, and heaters, but will not produce the full heat output. In the case of a 2 KW fan heater it would work but would only give 1KW output, and a kettle would take at least twice as long to boil.

However there are a lot more appliances now being manufactured for international use, if they display on the rating plate/label 100/250v - 50/60hz they can be plugged into any countries socket outlet automatically. All you need to do is change the plug or use an adaptor. So far they tend to be phone/laptop chargers and the like, but watch for larger appliances in the future.

Hope this helps

The purpose of GHDs is extreme heat, meaning extreme straight hair I did try mine over here when i as on vacation and i was embarassed at the mess my hair had to be in when venturing over the door, my hair and no straightners is a bad mix

I was just expressing my comments as you asked in your post.

Looks like you need to purchase a high wattage convertor or hire an electrician to fit a 240v socket then.

It would be cheaper to buy a new unit made for north american electricity.

It'd be even cheaper to get a haircut. (Not you, obviously).

Some people.

I still have to get the sides and back done but I really do think that 75% of what they charge is a finders fee.