OT -Using US electronics in Kenya
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron. Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation? -- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
Tell her to get a voltage converter from 220/240V to 110/120V or even a step down transformer and make sure the output wattage can support the microwave and blender or she can buy several of them. If its not overloaded she has no worries of frying equipment. Ive never had issues with the converter. Am sure they can be gotten locally from Electrical supply stores. I have a Heavy duty Rockstone Power 2000 watt step up/down transformer Steve On Jun 26, 2015 9:33 AM, "Claude D'souza via skunkworks" < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
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High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave! On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
Thanks for the answers so far... Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned? On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
You can check with Chintu Engineering Works at Village market or Auto and Electro care at Yaya Center ground floor. Sorry I don't have their numbers. On Jun 26, 2015 10:30 AM, "Claude D'souza" <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the answers so far...
Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned?
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
Steve, shukran sana....have offices near them so I'll go in person. Will update the list you on the outcome. On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Steven Obbayi <sobbayi@gmail.com> wrote:
You can check with Chintu Engineering Works at Village market or Auto and Electro care at Yaya Center ground floor. Sorry I don't have their numbers. On Jun 26, 2015 10:30 AM, "Claude D'souza" <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the answers so far...
Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned?
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
Other points to consider - US devices use 60Hz frequency - Kenya is 50Hz - so motors (such as mixers) will run about 20% slower. Also, transformers consume power (they are not 100% efficient!) so your electricity bill will be higher! (about 10%) Example: microwave, 1500W input, used 1 hour per day = 30x1500/1000 = 45kWh (units) of power per month. When used with a transformer, will be about 50kWh - ie 5 more units on your bill On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Steve, shukran sana....have offices near them so I'll go in person. Will update the list you on the outcome.
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Steven Obbayi <sobbayi@gmail.com> wrote:
You can check with Chintu Engineering Works at Village market or Auto and Electro care at Yaya Center ground floor. Sorry I don't have their numbers. On Jun 26, 2015 10:30 AM, "Claude D'souza" <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the answers so far...
Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned?
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
She can also check the voltage specified on the device itself. Many newer items (say manufactured post 2010) these days come supporting both 110 and 220v, it'll take like 1min to check, it'll read something like "AC Input 110/220v", if it reads "AC Input 110v" only, then a transformer will be required. Regards, John K. On 26 June 2015 at 12:51, Tony White via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Other points to consider - US devices use 60Hz frequency - Kenya is 50Hz - so motors (such as mixers) will run about 20% slower.
Also, transformers consume power (they are not 100% efficient!) so your electricity bill will be higher! (about 10%)
Example: microwave, 1500W input, used 1 hour per day = 30x1500/1000 = 45kWh (units) of power per month. When used with a transformer, will be about 50kWh - ie 5 more units on your bill
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Steve, shukran sana....have offices near them so I'll go in person. Will update the list you on the outcome.
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Steven Obbayi <sobbayi@gmail.com> wrote:
You can check with Chintu Engineering Works at Village market or Auto
and
Electro care at Yaya Center ground floor. Sorry I don't have their numbers. On Jun 26, 2015 10:30 AM, "Claude D'souza" <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the answers so far...
Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned?
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Hi, I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron.
Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list faced/conquered a similar situation?
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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I've fried several gadgets in the past. Buying a step down transformer from 220v to 110v is not practical for every gadget. But if some items use adapters, you can simply purchase a new compliant adapter. Other than that, I see no other option. On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 7:29 AM John K. via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
She can also check the voltage specified on the device itself. Many newer items (say manufactured post 2010) these days come supporting both 110 and 220v, it'll take like 1min to check, it'll read something like "AC Input 110/220v", if it reads "AC Input 110v" only, then a transformer will be required.
Regards, John K.
On 26 June 2015 at 12:51, Tony White via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Other points to consider - US devices use 60Hz frequency - Kenya is 50Hz - so motors (such as mixers) will run about 20% slower.
Also, transformers consume power (they are not 100% efficient!) so your electricity bill will be higher! (about 10%)
Example: microwave, 1500W input, used 1 hour per day = 30x1500/1000 = 45kWh (units) of power per month. When used with a transformer, will be about 50kWh - ie 5 more units on your bill
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Steve, shukran sana....have offices near them so I'll go in person. Will update the list you on the outcome.
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Steven Obbayi <sobbayi@gmail.com> wrote:
You can check with Chintu Engineering Works at Village market or Auto
and
Electro care at Yaya Center ground floor. Sorry I don't have their numbers. On Jun 26, 2015 10:30 AM, "Claude D'souza" <claudedsouza1@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the answers so far...
Anyone have a number for a local dealer for any of the converters mentioned?
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tony White <tony.mzungu@gmail.com> wrote:
High power devices are problematic. My advice would be to use the US microwave as a cupboard ;) - just buy a new one locally - you would need at least a 2000 watt transformer to use the US microwave, and that would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new microwave!
On 26/06/2015, Claude D'souza via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote: > Hi, > I have a friend who just relocated to Kenya and he carried his household > electronics with him. While stuff like her laptop, external drive and > tablet are fine charging from the mains with only an adapter enabling the > connection, she is very afraid for her microwave, blender and iron. > > Google speaks of getting a converter but also talks of horror stories of > fried equipment whilst using them. Has anyone on list > faced/conquered a > similar situation? > > -- > Claude A. D'souza > Personal Mobile: 0722887311 > LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza > <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza> >
-- Tony White
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza <http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza>
-- Tony White
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
participants (5)
-
Claude D'souza -
John K. -
Morris Mwanga -
Steven Obbayi -
Tony White