[chongo62]

I have a deep freezer made in the US and I'm moving to Africa, will this appliance work considering the voltage difference between Africa and the US?

[smoothy]

You have to consider line frequency as well as voltage. If where you are going is 50hz power.. I would advise against it even if the line voltage is the same... electric motors are wound assuming a specific line frequency and voltage. I would sell your freezer here and buy a new one there.

[drtom4444]

You can get cheap adapters that will change the frequency and voltage now. U.S. appliances are the best; just have the right adapters.

[smoothy]

Where would you find an "adapter" that can handle a surge as large as a deep freeze or refrigerator has anyway? A hair dryer or a SMALL appliance is one thing... a deep freeze has a significant start-up surge requirement and any "adapter" would be required to supply in excess of that surge requirement for it to work.

[tkrussell]

I am aware for voltage converters, nothing more than transformers.

What device changes the hertz?

Running 60 cycle units on 50 cycle will cause heat in the motors etc.

[smoothy]

I am aware for voltage converters, nothing more than transformers.

What device changes the hertz?

Running 60 cycle units on 50 cycle will cause heat in the motors etc.

Exactly... I've dealt weith the transformers... heavy and expensive... but can handle the heavier loads up to their spec. But they don't change line frequency.

The converters, basically are small switching supplies that take whatever is given on the input (within design limits)... converts it to DC... then back to A/C at the desired frequency and voltage... but they tend to be small and handle only small loads... if they are available for the sorts of load a deep freeze or refrigerator inpose when the compressor cycles on... its going to cost more than the applience did. It certainly isn't going to be cheap or fit in your pocket.

Though I do sympathise with a previous poster... that they don't make them in the size and style we are used to here... but that is gradually changing... what they have available now is far less objectionable than what was available just 25 years ago.

I also assume someone else is footing the bill for transport... because that alone will make you want to travel light and buy the big stuff when you get there.

Plus... the cheap converters tend to put out a very dirty square wave rather than a clean harmonic free sine wave that only the best UPS's (as in expensive) can put out.

[drtom4444]

Many appliances have 50/60 Hz on nameplate. I would look at the nameplate before buying something to take to Africa. A good converter for the 15 amps start-up current required would be expensive, but you may find a good deal.

[smoothy]

True... but since we are talking about an appliance with an electric motor... you don't see 50/60hz plates on those, at least any I have seen so far. If you know any that do... feel free to let me know, I'm curious. In general electric motors are wound assuming a certain specific line frequency... a 60z motor on 50hz will run slower and run hotter. They will run... but will have a reduced life span.

But I agree... tv's etc... lots of other small appliances don't share that limitation these days... some only need a plug adapter. Those will have 110-240v 50-60hz on the plate however. Its important to know and not assume. I've got both and have burned stuff up forgettting which had it or not, even after dealing with this for well over 25 years.

[ballengerb1]

I would also think that the cost to move a freezer to Africa would be more than the price of a new one made for Africa. Unless someone else is picking up the tab I would not take anything of size or weight on such a move.