What to expect when using 220v to 110v power converter on a refrigerator ?

June 22nd, 2009

I'm planing to go to Europe and stay for at least a year and take all my appliances with me including: fridge,washer and dryer.If i use a heavy duty power converter wil I be OK? Will continuous use affect my power converter and create overheating and also will it consume power by it self or the only thing it does is transform power?

You would be better off leaving your major appliances home.

You would need a very heavy transformer type converter to use them. The dryer will be especially tricky since most will have a 120 volt motor and timer and a 240 volt heating element. You will have some standby power losses in the transformer when ever it is on regardless of whether one of your other appliances is on at the moment. Motors that are designed to run on 60Hz US power will run slower and hotter on 50Hz European mains. Repair parts will be nearly impossible to find should you need them and a repairman even more so.

Don

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2 Responses to “What to expect when using 220v to 110v power converter on a refrigerator ?”

  1. Comment by DON
    June 23rd, 2009

    You would be better off leaving your major appliances home.

    You would need a very heavy transformer type converter to use them. The dryer will be especially tricky since most will have a 120 volt motor and timer and a 240 volt heating element. You will have some standby power losses in the transformer when ever it is on regardless of whether one of your other appliances is on at the moment. Motors that are designed to run on 60Hz US power will run slower and hotter on 50Hz European mains. Repair parts will be nearly impossible to find should you need them and a repairman even more so.

    Don
    References :

  2. Comment by Ramjet09
    June 23rd, 2009

    Evidently you are either in the military or a GS type employee. I would not recommend taking your large appliances, too costly in (Wattage) consumption and secondly European washing machines have only 1 water source or hookup " cold " water thier machines have heating coils in which the water travels through first if you select hot water.Very efficient.American housing has a laundry room provided.Living on the economy is different. The price for 2 ea 5KW transformers is not wise.Fridge also not smart. Leave em in storage or sell them here now.
    References :
    15 years in Germany 5 years in France.