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fatimahammodi · Jun 23, 2016, 12:46 PM

Hi,

I have recently moved from the UK to the USA. I have a hair dryer, vacuum and a water kettle which require 220V and for which max wattage is 3500W. I purchased a step-up transformer to convert 110 to 220 V capacity 5000 W. the hair dryer is slow (not at regular speed), has heat but not as hot as normal. Tried the kettle and took around 15 minutes to boil. My Vacuum doesn't run at the normal speed either.

Is that because I got a bad quality transformer or do I need a higher Wattage?
I read online that in order for me to get the right transfer I need to time my appliance watt x 3. Is that right?

Can you please help me urgently?

Thank you,
Fatima

fatimahammodi · Jun 23, 2016, 12:57 PM

Also, if it is not due to the bad quality (that I only assumed), can I continue to use this one even thought it doesn't run the appliance at the normal speed?

smoothy · Jun 23, 2016, 01:56 PM

Buy new appliances meant to work in the USA. They will simply work better.

The USA has 60hz power vs 50hz in the UK, and no transformer can compensate for that. It can only compensate for the voltage difference.

And the difference will effect devices with electric motors. They however will run faster, not slower.. a proper transformer that can run all of those appliances will cost more than to replace most if not all of them.

Been through this in the reverse direction, and when I did it the cost of transformers were significantly lower, price of copper has a huge part to play in this.

From what you describe, your transformer is crap. And likely undersized well below what they advertised it at. A 5000watt transformer is rather heavy. And weighs more than most vacuum cleaners. Things with motors require significantly more current to start than their rated running usage. Which is part two of your problem.

Fr_Chuck · Jun 23, 2016, 02:50 PM

You will never get good voltage and they will never work, like they did in the UK,

You can get 220 vt (American) like used for stoves, and things and run your items off it.

But basically you just need to replace these items with new.

I am returning from China and will not be taking any of my items for this exact reason.