Do you know an electrician???

[Doula Jane]

Hiya!

I really hope someone can help with this question.........

I'm moving from Texas, USA to Perth in three months time. I have a lot of new electrical stuff; computer, big TV, etc, and have been told that if I get a convertor they SHOULD work. I really don't want to take the risk unless I KNOW for sure that they will work (shipping costs from the US are massive!). So my question is, do any of you know a good electrician who knows whether or not these appliances will work in Oz with the use of a convertor. The voltage here in the US is 110....

I figure that if I have to buy a dozen high quality convertors, it'll still be cheaper than having to replace all this big electical stuff over there.

Any advice offered will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Doula Jane

[Doula Jane]

Thanks kristy_ryan&? - much appreciated!!:D

[Doula Jane]

Hiya!

I'd be happy to chat ........

I'm on MSN Messenger and my email address is jane65@sbcglobal.net. I'm not sure if that's the address you need to add me to your contacts....? If not, let me know yours and I can add you!

Jane

[Melo]

My DP is a electrician, BUT he has just left for work!! So if you don't have your answer when he gets home i'll ask him for you! :)

[Chickadee]

Dont know an electrician but we moved here from Canada so faced the same thing. We've also lived in the UK which also had 240V.

We didn't bother bringing most big electrical stuff like TVs. But we do have a number of small appliances and also tools which we run off transformers with no problem. Some things draw a fair amount of power (so I'm told) and so are best purchased and not run through a transformer. Like the stereo receiver. I've also heard speakers might not work well even through transformers. But we do have a small all-in-one stereo (ghetto blaster) that works fine. Most electrical stuff runs ok, but we threw out our old hair clippers as they just went wild when run through a transformer. So it's really hard to say...

Most computers should be ok, particularly laptops. We have run an older PC through a transformer with no problem.

VCRs might have a problem with tape speed, I'm not certain but guessing on that. If you have old or favorite tapes you'll want to play then might as well bring your USA VCR because they are unlikely to play on the Asian system VCRs that are sold here.

I'm not sure on TVs. I don't think it would be an electrical problem, but not sure an American TV would be set up to pick up the signals here? Maybe someone else will know. If you do have to buy one here you'll probably pay way more than you did in the USA for an equivalent model.

[MamaSage]

We run off 240v, so I think you may need a converter for the appliances. You may find you are better off buying Aust stuff when you get here, and save money on freight... BTW, where in Perth are you moving to? I am in Greenmount, the hills.

[Doula Jane]

Thanks to all of you for all the info. It looks like I'll be able to bring things like lamps and the smaller things. That at least will save some money. Mum2Jacob - it would be great if you could ask your DP. I'm particularly interested in the bigger things like the TV's, the computer, fridge, freezer, etc.......

MarthaM - thanks for the input - I hadn't thought about VCR's and DVD's!!! Very good point! We bought a DVD player that's a region free so will play dvd's from anywhere in the world, but I do wonder if it'll run on the 240 voltage with a transformer - hope so!!!

Carlia - don't know at the moment where we'll be living - we're working on that!!! My DH's job is in Victoria Park and my dogs will be quarantined in Byford so I'm hoping to rent a place close to both locations....any ideas?????!!!!!!

Thanks again for your help!

This Bub-Hub is addictive!!!!

Doula Jane :D

[Chickadee]

Personally I wouldn't bring the fridge or freezer. I think they draw a lot of power and might not run so well here. I was trying to find an ex-pat info site which might have some more info for you. Will keep looking.

To give you an idea of costs, the transformer/converter that we run our old PC off of or have out in the garage for DH's tools costs around $150. I'm not sure what it is rated for.

[Chickadee]

This site has some suggestions and general info:
http://www.expatfocus.com/electrical-systems-around-the-world

You should be able to pick up second hand or reconditioned appliances here to help cut costs. There is a fairly strong ex-pat community in Perth so you may luck out and meet somebody who is moving back overseas and needing to dispose of all of their stuff.

DH rewired our lamps rather than setting up transformers/converters all over the house. We have Ikea lamps so he just bought the cheapest ones from Ikea here and changed over the whole fitting. You should be aware though that nearly all work to do with electricity or telephones here is supposed to be done by a specialist and not do-it-yourself.

Good luck with your dogs. We flew one of ours from Canada and she was at Byford for a month too in 2001. They were great there. It's about a 30-40 minute drive from the Perth CBD to go for visits.