ireland132

I have a new HP laserjet printer that I brought with me to US.

It is marked 220-240V and 50/60Hz.

Does this mean I can just plug it directly into the mains here?

Or do I need a transformer?

MY PS2 is similarly marked and also my Pioneer DVD player.

(I appreciate that these two items output a PAL signal).

scotch03

I have no idea what the answer is but how is LA treating you? I drive past Los Feliz everyday to work!

See you around.

smiler125

You will need to buy a stepdown transformer for all the items.
Ensure that the transformer is able to supply the wattage that you need.

Cheers

ireland132

smiler 125 - thanks for that answer. I looked at another couple of posts and have found a good place to buy transformers on line.

scotch 03 - LA is treating us all well. My wife gave birth to a baby boy (our first) exactly 5 weeks ago today! I have a good commute everyday to Burbank and we are enjoying the weather (except today, when it became a bit dreich, as they said in the town where i grew up). Thanks for your advice on the board prior to our arrival.

Have a good festive season. I thought you were due to move from LA?

NC Penguin

Yes, you need a transformer. I bought one for the printer we brought from the UK.

We calculated how much wattage we'd need but it wasn't sufficient. I don't know how best to describe this but when a printer is in use, the amount of power it uses is not always constant. It "peaks" from time to time so you need to compensate by having a transformer of much greater wattage than necessary.

I've read it's about three times the stated amount you need. I may be mistaken about all this but our printer only worked a few times when attached to the transformer.

Others probably can explain better how to determine the wattage you really need.



NC Penguin

Yosser

1. No electrical appliance from the U.K will plug directly into a U.S outlet.

2. The voltage in the U.S is typically 110v/120v with a 60 Hz cycle.

3. You can try a transformer but as many Brits have found, they 'burn out' quite quickly and you may have to buy extra plug adapters it depends on the type of transformer that you buy.

4. As NC said printers are probably the most finicky appliance to bring over they flacuate alot in volts and Hz so the transformers can't even cope with it.

To every Brit coming over, sell the toasters, TV's, videos, cookers, DVD players, and plug into the mains sex toy's and buy new in the states, it saves alot of hassle and electronic appliances are WAY cheaper than the U.K.

Go to ultimate electronics, get yerself a 12 months interest free card and go on a shopping spree, you'll have alot more fun than buggering around with big black obtuse transformers dotted around the house.

TexasPenguin

Ireland, you will need a STEP-UP transformer, not a step-down as someone has said here in reply. I've bought printers, wireless phones etc. from the UK and run them with no problems on step-up transformers from jameco (www.jameco.com). I use the tiny 99477 for printers etc. Yes, it's true the stuff is cheaper to buy here in the first place but why throw away perfectly good equipment. I also greatly regretted throwing away things like vacuum cleaners, washing machines etc. 220VAc is available in US homes. I've put in myself some 220V UK-style outlets in my garage (to run drills, sanders, planers etc. that I bought with me) and kitchen (for mixers etc.). If you (or a friend is handy with electricity then it's a doddle.

Just my 2c.

Yosser

so what yer doing in Flint, Texas Andy? do you work from home or work in Tyler?

TexasPenguin

Hi Yosser,
Flint, TX is a tiny postal district (not even really a town) just South of Tyler.
I actually work in Tyler as an electronics engineer / sales for an Italian owned company that I originally worked for in the UK.
If you are interested, then check out my web page (hosted at home) www.andy.smithers.name .

TexasPenguin

Where are you at, Yosser, your Profile doesn't give much away!!

Yosser

I'm in Rowlett Texas, not all that far from Tyler really (well not texan distances anyway! go highway 20 to 635 then up Hwy 30 exit Dalrock).

I like the website, small world I'm from Portland Dorset (near weymouth) and I used to work at the Bovington army base not far from Wareham (as a electrican/auto electrican).

JulianB

No Sir, you need a step-down. You're decreasing the voltage, after all.

JulianB

oops I'm thick, I didn't read the question properly....step-up it is.

tis, as someone pointed out, a much more practical solution to buy new electrical items over in the US.

unless, of course, the item in question has sentimental value
....always a tough one to explain to the new wife....

DaveC

Apparently they aren't just robots in disguise.

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electrom...a/transformer/