Step Down voltage transformer

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  samfisher5986 on 03/11/2011 - 14:04

  +1

  I wouldn't be surprised if you have killed it, your not meant to plug US appliances into an Australian outlet unless it specifically says something like 120v-250v on the plug, this shows that it automatically detects the voltage.

  If you want it fast, try Dick Smith but be prepared to pay $10-20.

  If you don't mind waiting, ebay, dealextreme etc have it cheap.

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    ESEMCE on 03/11/2011 - 14:25

    I agree.
    It sounds like you have a US->AUS socket adapter (eg http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ictglobal/adaptor-1…) and you've plugged the US 120V only appliance directly into an AUS 240V socket without the stepdown transformer.
    A stepdown transformer is be a small brick (eg http://cf.mp-cdn.net/ba/2b/95e289c4b5fe4222e102cddb200a.jpg) similar in appearance to a laptop power supply, which is a stepdown transformer itself, converting the 240V from the socket into 19v (or similar) for the Laptop.
    If your socket adapter is not a small brick size, it won't convert the voltage.

    As SamFisher says, if the device does not say 120v-230v (or similar), it's likely a 120v device only and you've killed it for good.
    Lesson learned!

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  shellyrose on 03/11/2011 - 15:03

  HI Thankyou I looked at Dick Smith but they are selling them for around $150 deal extreme have them cheaper but reading there reviews they say theres is not worth buying
  Thankyou for all your suggestions I have learnt expensive lesson

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    ESEMCE on 03/11/2011 - 15:21

    Probably just as well, I just realised that for a steamer, you'd need a pretty high powered.. 1000W minimum (possibly 2000W or even 2400W) so you're immediately looking at the more expensive units.
    ie http://dicksmith.com.au/product/M1154/240v-to-115v-step-down… so at least $275 (from DSE)

    Next time you're looking to import electrical gear, try looking for things from the UK or Europe. They at least have the same power supply as us (just a different plugs/sockets).
    Or if you have to buy from the US, make sure it is a multivoltage device (as indicated by some sort of 120v-230v symbol or switch on the device)

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  endotherm on 03/11/2011 - 16:23

  I assume it is the Steamfast SF-407 based on the price you mentioned (doesn't matter too much they are all pretty similar). I looked up the manual at http://www.steamfast.com/Images/manuals/sf407/sf407.pdf which definitely says 120V / 1500 watt in the product specifications. These things are usually pretty simple inside with an electric heating element similar to an electric stove. Unfortunately you have put through twice the electricity this unit was ever meant to see and probably cooked the element. It probably uses a simple thermostat rather than any complex electronics to fry, so it might just be the element. There are appliance repair stores than can repair/replace this type of thing (making it 240volts in the process) but it would probably cost more than what it's worth, especially with labour (you could ask for free I guess :) ) I bought a handheld steamer from K-Mart the other day for $29 so maybe the repair parts aren't that expensive. For the future, definitely don't use a plug adaptor (it just changes the pin configuration) unless the label on the device says something like 120-250v. Things like modern TVs and laptops probably have an international power supply that works on just about anything, all they do is supply the appropriate plug for your country and the power supply adjusts itself to suit. The thing to watch out for are things with motors and heaters (the high electricity use items), these typically will be one voltage only.

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  shellyrose on 03/11/2011 - 19:13

  Thankyou everyone for all your help very helpful LESSON LEARNT

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  rickmagnum on 04/11/2011 - 02:26

  i have bought a step down transformer from these guys before on ebay - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/240v-110v-Step-Down-Stepdown-Tran…

  not a bad price and the transformer works great, no complaints. the link is for an 1000w one, but they have 2000w available also. hope that helps.

  • 

    shellyrose on 04/11/2011 - 13:13

    Hi rickmagnum
    Thankyou soooo much have sent a question to them re voltage required

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  bargainchampion on 11/12/2012 - 23:36

  Hi, I have the same issue. How do I know whether I have damaged the steamer when I first plugged the steamer into 240v socket?

  I was thinking of getting a transformer but would like to be sure that this thing is still working.

  Thank you.

  • 

    ynot1985 on 12/12/2012 - 03:05

    I don't know about steamers but I once plugged my japanese Wii (110v) into the normal australian powerpoint (240V).

    It was loudest bang I've ever heard, almost like a bomb just went off…

    luckily, it blew the transformer but it was not something I would ever forget.

    not sure if this would apply to your steamer though