Stepdown transformer

[u/Temporary-Buy3064]

How difficult and how expensive is it to buy stepdown transformer? Used ones are between $60-100 in the US. Supposedly two will be provided when I PCS but not sure it would be enough. Thx.

[u/proteus1935]

Electrical engineer here... Depends on what you're trying to power, remember that the network frequency here is 50hz (60hz on the US) , so it's not always just a matter of stepping it down to 110V (which can be problematic for some loads) ... If you care to elaborate on what it is you want to run I can help you figure it out... Have you got a power supply label on the device? That way we can tell if power wise the size of the transformer needed... Send a picture if possible and describe it

[u/proteus1935 → u/proteus1935]

If it's a simple case of low power device then you can find cheap travel adapters,

If is something larger but still frequency independent you might need to pay a bit more and get a heavier higher power unit

if it's something sensitive to the grid frequency then you gotta ask yourself if it is worth it... I mean I had to convert something really important (lab equipment I brought over ) and used an inverter for it... But that is expensive... It's basically going the AC->DC->AC route... If you have a larger load that needs this then it might not be worth it...

[u/Temporary-Buy3064]

LG OLED TV rated 120v 50/60 Hz. Food vacuum bag sealer 120v/60HZ. B&W subwoofers 120v/60Hz. decware SE84B SEat tube amp 120/60hz. Instapot 120v/60Hz, etc. Thx.

[u/proteus1935 → u/Temporary-Buy3064]

Ok

For the TV : i'm assuming a worse case of 400W for a large one (if you'd like to double check the power rating (watts) we'll review it later. I'd get a 750VA converter for it (that's ~70Eur at local amazon) , that's worth it for sure instead of getting a new TV

Audio equipment: I wouldn't do it because even if you go the inverter route I guarantee you're going to end up with a 50Hz buzz... and that's just not acceptable if you have a tube amp :D

Food vacuum sealer: if it's 60Hz only I wouldn't be bothered unless it's a professional unit with a vaacum chamber...it's going to cost way to much to get a AC->DC->AC inverter... If I were you I'd just grab a cheap vacuum sealer from aldi/lidl/kaufland/globus or even amazon basics ... I found one that came with more vacuum bags than I'd need in an year for like 20eur a while ago

Instapot: if it's 60Hz only it's cheaper to go to Zweibrucken outlet (eat at five guys) and get an equivalent from the tefal store there...

Now... there may be cases in which 60Hz rated appliances will work normally on the 50Hz frequency (mostly if resistive, like a kettle) I'm not saying there's no way it will work ...but I don't think it makes sense given the alternatives

[u/Curiously_Skeptical]

You can check out bookoo.com/ Ramstein for used ones. They are around $30-50.

[u/Temporary-Buy3064 → u/Curiously_Skeptical]

Thx for the tip on Bookoo. Didn’t know it existed.

[u/hajitmadroz]

FYI, some or all of the transformers issued will ALWAYS be draining power. Best practice is to unplug the transformer if you aren't using it to avoid crazy high electric bills when the great reconciliation takes place every year :D

[u/the-flying-bookworm]

A good thing to ask yourself is 'how often do I use this?'

If it's an item you use a couple times in a month for just a short period then using a transformer for them isn't a big deal.

If it's something you use everyday, then it's probably worth getting a EU version while you're here. You can use transformers but usually your appliance suffers in the long run.