MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

We sold our house near Toronto today and will be relocating back to a North East seaside town in March 2014. Exciting!!

Question; We have a few items that we would like to take back that are 110Volts...Treadmill, Bose system, domestic Pressure Washer and the like. If I use a step down transformer in the UK (240 v down to 110 v) will this work OK?...has anyone got experience of this?

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

No answer for you but congratulations! Please send house-selling vibes to us in Kelowna, B.C. We're leaving almost all of our electronics behind but haven't looked into it.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

We have a step down converter in the shipping that arrives this week :fingerscrossed: so Dh will use it to run some of his garage tools. I'll let you know how it works once he gets it all set up.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

we've successfully used step down transformers for a variety of things, including all of DH's tools, various kitchen appliances, sewing machine, cd/radio system etc.

The key is to make sure the transformer can handle the load. We have a big ugly yellow transformer that's used on building sites. We paid about £65 for it, but it can handle all the tools and about anything else. I have another little one that lives in the kitchen and powers the cd/radio in the mornings and various small appliances on an as-needed basis. It's small and good for up to 100 watts; cost was around £15 from Amazon.

I personally would not run anything continuously, as the tranny gets hot; having said that, I've heard of folks running a refrigerator on a step down transformer.

Some things (TV, external hard drives, computer, monitor) were dual voltage and just required a plug adapter or new cord with a UK plug. For the external drives, I bought a 240V universal outlet strip (http://www.amazon.com/VCT-USP600-Uni.../dp/B0036ZE6V0) that accepts plugs from about every country in the universe, and eliminated the need for an adapter. We did cut the supplied plug off and fitted the UK plug. Buy this BEFORE you leave; for whatever reason I couldn't find one in the UK, so got mine on the 1st trip back to visit family in the US.

And yes, we brought our TV, and use with an HD Freeview box; shipping cost wasn't an issue as we had a 40' container, and the Freeview box was far cheaper than the cost of buying a new TV.

A basic rule is that if it's a motor, no/few problems; things that heat up (crock pot, curling iron, hair dryer) don't do so well. The treadmill may run a bit 'off' due to the 50 cycle versus 60 cycle standard, but should be ok otherwise. Digital clocks will not be accurate.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Great information everyone, many thanks for your input. Treadmill and Bose definitely sound like they'll be in the container!
I'm really surprised that the TV might work in the UK...that's a bonus. Does it only work with a Freeview box, or would it work with a Sky or Virgin package? (I know I might sound ill informed, but we have been away 11 years so have lost touch with the TV 'lingo') :o

Cheers

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Just a suggestion, but check very carefully that there definitely won't be a problem with your treadmill.

If for any reason it doesn't work, or the engine burns out, a broken treadmill could be very expensive to dispose of. Depending on the company policy, it might also cost extra to put into and take out of the container - heavy items like pianos can take several people to lift, are very difficult to manoeuvre, especially if you have to take them up stairs, and they likely won't let you or anyone you know help, because of legal liability with such a heavy item.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Before I emigrated over to the US, my American wife lived with me in the UK for a few years. I seem to remember we bought a couple of pretty large step down transformers from Maplins who were very helpful with their advice.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

The TV should work with Sky or Virgin; Freeview gave us what we wanted for far less money, and now the HD boxes are even cheaper than they were in 2011.

Our TV wasn't anything special (a Vizio 32 inch), but I knew it would work as a giant monitor if all else failed. It was dual voltage, so just changed the plug. I've never regretted that decision.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

I would take the opposite view. Unless the equipment is specifically designed to be dual voltage, it would usually be better to leave it behind. Otherwise you risk ending up with an item of junk that (as someone else says), will be expensive to dispose of. More importantly, you'll have missed an opportunity to donate it to someone else locally who might benefit from it.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

We dumped a lot of larges stuff, including an old treadmill, but mainly because we knew we wouldn't have the space for it.

Small appliances can be expensive to replace, and those that aren't dual voltage have worked well. I first did this back in the early 90's, during my initial time in the UK, so didn't hesitate on this 2nd move.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

It's only really worth using a step down transformer for small, expensive items that don't use a great deal of power.

For anything else the cost and hassle of transporting it, buy a suitably robust transformer and hoping it doesn't overheat/break just isn't worth it in the long run. Better to sell them off locally and use the money recouped to buy new when you get here.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

I have a 42 inch Sony Bravia HD tv, its voltage is 110-240 will this work in the UK if I just change the plug? Its only a year old and would prefer to take it with me if it will work as I won't have a lot of extra cash once I move to buy something new.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

If its power unit is rated for UK voltage (240v, 50hz) then all you will need to do is change the plug or use an adaptor. You will probably need to use a TV box of some description (Freeview, Virgin, Sky, etc..) as it probably won't be able to receive UK television through an aerial.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Watt?

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

I just checked with sony and they said it won't even work with a free view box. its not about the voltage its about the uk being a PAI format and not an NTCB (?) fomat.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

UK - PAL
US - NTSC

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

It's highly unlikely a set like that wouldn't be capable of doing both especially if it's multi-voltage. What's the model number? Anyway NTSC/PAL doesn't really matter any more. If you're plugging your TV into a HD source then it'll work regardless.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Don't know about anyone else but I only get a handful of HD channels out of the 190 I get via Freesat.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Model # is KDL-40EX400. I was shocked when they said it wouldn't work but if you find out it can I appreciate it. I'd prefer to keep it if I can but also don't want to find out at the other end that it won't work and not be able to sell it in the UK. :D

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Think very carefully about your house contents insurance if there was an electrical fire!:thumbdown:

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

A quick Google search reveals that you'll be fine with HD sources but SD sources are unlikely to work. The UK version would work in the US but apparently not the other round around. There are boxes available that will convert the signal for you but they're not cheap.

If you can't do without the SD channels you may want to consider selling it before you move and buying again here.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Thanks for checking BritInParis. it just seems it will be easier to sell it and buy another one. At least my computer will work being an Apple :-)

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Really appreciate the advice...thanks everyone. House Contract was completed today so we should be firm...on the move by end of March. Can't wait! Looking forward to being back on home turf.....

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Hope everything goes smoothly for you Pem Brooke.

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The tuner in your US TV won't work in the UK, but when using a Freeview/Freesat/Sky or similar box the TV just acts as a monitor. The tuner is in the box, not the set. It needs to be an HD box to use an HDMI cable. If my cheap as chips Vizio works, your Sony will work. The answer you got from Sony was the standard answer #whatever back when PAL vs NTSC was an issue. There's a thread on here about this.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

When we moved from the UK to Malaysia in March this year, we brought 3 tvs with us - 2 are Sony Bravia (bought 4 years ago in the UK) and the other, an older, Bush. The 2 Sony Bravias work fine here (admittedly though, Malaysia uses 240V) although we did have to change the Sound setup, which is the only reason the Bush doesn't function properly (we get picture ok). Malaysia is PAL, but it is a different PAL to the UK. Unfortunately Malaysia doesn't have digitial (yet!), although they did start it in one state last year, but have stopped the rollout to concentrate on upping broadband speeds!

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Do you have a documented instance of an insurance company anywhere in world discounting or refusing a claim because an appliance was operated through a transformer?

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

No db have not but when moving over here I was a little concerned and read up a fair bit. This article comes to mind

There are a few issues with a stepdown transformer. One of them is it will not convert the frequency from 50Hz to 60Hz, so your 110V products will have a different impedance (which is dependant on frequency) and will get stressed when run at 50Hz.

Another issue is that a stepdown transformer does not provide dialectric isolation from 240V, and there are risks if a 110V appliance like say an amplifier is connected via an audio cable to a 240V TV set.

110V stepdown transformers should be limited to lab use, it is not really a consumer item.

I think knowing how Insurance companies like to "wiggle" I would make sure they know. :)

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

PAL and NTSC are the broadcast standards but I would expect a cable box that has an HDMI cable output, and a TV that has an HDMI input to be compatible.

I've used step up/down transformers but would only use them for small appliances. For large items such as treadmills I would be worried about overheating.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

If it's a PAL signal (576i @ 50Hz) being sent to a NTSC only screen (480i @ 60Hz) then it won't work regardless of the connector being used.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

My mistake, I didn't realize that you could get an NTSC only TV that had an HDMI input socket.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Neither did I to be honest. It appears to be a US market anomaly.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Ok, Im confused again LOL, will my tv work?

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Most likely not. The only way to be sure would be to try inputting a PAL source (e.g. a UK DVD) to see if it works.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Definitely NOT true. My Vizio is a dual voltage 50/60 cycle TV, but the integrated tuner is NTSC. I've been using it with a Freeview box connected via an HDMI cable sine 2011. I get all the Freeview channels (SD & HD) with no issues. The picture is actually sharper than it was when using the TV in the USA.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

If your Vizio brand TV is compatible with both PAL and NTSC then it will work in the manner you describe. But we're not discussing a Vizio TV.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

There are other threads on this issue; the Vizio is a cheap US TV - not remotely to the spec of a Sony, Samsung, LG etc. and not even "full" HDTV.

Any modern TV should perform well. Even my old pre-digital JVC would play PAL videos. The PAL-NTSC compatibility is no longer an issue.

The integrated tuner for a US TV will be NTSC, but the tuner in the Freeview (or other) box will be delivering the signal.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

do you use a converter or did you just change out the power cable?

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

lgabriel73: The TV is dual voltage (actually 110-240V/50-60 cycle), so I just changed the power cable. Did the same on a Samsung 23" that I still use as a computer monitor.

If the back of your TV says the same or similar (120-240 or some such), then no transformer/voltage converter is needed. Personally, if not dual voltage, I would dump before you travel just because TV tends to be on for several hours and the transformers get hot. I would have no reservations otherwise.

Re: MOVING BACK - VOLTAGE QUESTION
 

Thanks Vadio, I will check it when I get home but from what I remember it says 110-240V.