R2D2 returns

Whilst still in Canada, we tried to get info on which of our Canadian electrical items would work back home.
In the end we decided just to take as much as we had and hope for the best.

Heres how they worked out :

TV.....for this we had to get a transformer for the voltage and a set top box as it wasn't digital ready, and amazingly enough it worked ! Sounds like Battersea Power station at the back of it, but we don't care. Our TV was less than a year old and we weren't prepared to leave it behind.

Same with the surround sound system, only a transformer required to make it work,

Computer : just needed new cables, and switched the voltage switch over at the back.

Lamps : All we did was change the plugs. Even the bulbs are the same here.

Digital Piano : Just bought a regular socket adaptor for this...BINGO

We didn't take white goods though, so can't comment on those, but we were so pleased that we didn't have to start from scratch with everything

audreyrose23

I wonder if anyone in Canada has found bayonet light bulbs? I shipped lamps out from the UK and can't use them as can only find screw in bulbs. *frustrating* In UK you can get both styles. I'll probably ditch the lamps anyway on the return as I have found after shipping things you realise you don't really want a lot of it anyway!

Jerseygirl

What about the difference in voltage...isn't Canada 120v? Surely if you plug them directly into 240v they will blow.

Sorry I'm not really answering your question but we were amazed a couple of months ago when buying light bulbs in the UK...many are screw fitting now.

audreyrose23

ha ha I think this post sums up the immigration experience...mundane things like bulbs and voltage (which i never thought about in my life before) become these huge challenges. It's like being a child and learning all over again. This is something people back home don't realise, that every little detail is a challenge..you don't simply hit the ground running in a new country, you have to re-learn everything.

nik04

Yeah it's more like hit the ground in a crumpled heap pick yourself up, then dust yourself off and learn to walk all over again

sans

The transformers take the voltage down, so they dont blow.....I bought 2 8 ft xmas trees while in Canada, complete with lights and they were fine here with a transformer, my problem was raising the ceiling so they fitted in

R2D2 returns

With the lamps, just pop 240v bulbs in instead of the Canadian 120v and change the plug, plus 3 amp fuse and away you go

Jerseygirl

I know but the OP didn't say anything about transformers...that's why I asked. What was the problem...surely you could have cut a hole in the ceiling.

Interesting...what about the piano...surely you can't just plug that in?

R2D2 returns

Yep, with a plug adaptor.
As long as your cables have a voltage adaptor that takes 100 to 240v (ie that black rectangular box you see on laptop leads for example) then it'll take voltage within that range. Just needed the socket adaptor so we can plug it in.

sans

Nar we just bent the point....which was good... the angel actually looked like she was flying

Jerseygirl

Exactly...it either has to be dual voltage or you need a transformer because of the difference in voltage.

Bevm

How much were the transformers? We're definitely taking some things back and plan to use transformers, but I thought they were expensive.

I think our computer monitors will need transformers. They're good ones we bought recently, so they'll go back. I'd like to take our cappuchino maker, but I think that takes a lot of power so it'd need a big transformer.

Interesting about lamps. I didn't know that. Or that you can get screw in bulbs. Thanks! Mind you, there aren't many I want to take. Most of them we bought to "stage" our house. Not our taste, but they did the job.

I have an electronic keyboard I might take. It doesn't have one of those boxes on the cable. I wonder if I could get a new cable.

Anyway, thanks for great info. It's got me thinking!

Any other hints about moving back from Canada -- please send.

Bev

sans

Dont forget Bev the voltage in the UK is stronger then in Canada....so you need the transformer to lower the voltage for Canadian electricals. The transformer OH got were around £60 for 2, but you can pay upto £60 for
one. We bought 3 plug adapters to fit the Canadian plugs so we can plug straight into the transformer....

Bevm

Good point about plug adapters. Do you know the power of those transformers for L30? What do you use them for?

Thanks,

Bev

sans

If i knew what L30 was i might be able to tell you or at least find out
Maybe R2D2 knows

My son runs his Canadian bought WII off the transformers weve got. We bought the adapters from Argos 3 for £6.99.....