Problem - Using USA Appliances in the UK - help needed!

daveconnects

Hi everyone. I'm hoping I have posted this in the right area. If not, can mods please relocate?

I have no techhy bones in my body. Whilst travelling in the States, my sister came across a Coffee Machine she loved.

So, for Christmas I ordered the very one from Amazon in the US. I also bought an adaptor (step down voltage converter) which changes the voltage down from ours to their 110V.

All good I thought. However, since I have been told by people who have somewhat of a clue that you need to also consider the watts needed by the device. The adaptor I bought only handles up to 45w - the machine uses 1150 watts!

So, I have been told I need to buy a big box transformer thing which costs at a minimum £80/90.

Is there anyone knowledgeable on these matters who can advise me of any possible solutions?

Many thanks.

Andy_L

What does the documentation say, it may run off the UK 240v supply

WTFH

What is the make & model of the coffee machine?

If it's a US specific one then it will only work off 110V, so you'll need to buy a big transformer.

movilogo

It is not really a good idea to run US appliance in UK. Even if you get voltage up to 220 V, US power stations generate 60 Hz where as in Europe it is 50 Hz. So there will be little bit of mismatch all the time which can affect longevity of the appliance.

Can't you simply buy a similar item in UK??

aerostar

Andy_L wrote: »

What does the documentation say, it may run off the UK 240v supply

For about 2 secs before it goes "Bang".

Coffee machines have heating elements and are rarely multivoltage, they are designed for the local voltage only.

daveconnects

Thanks for the responses everyone. it is not an expensive machine but is a very good one. I can't post links as I'm a newbie poster but I have copied technical info on the machine below.

Is the general consensus to give up trying to find a solution?

Whilst I can return I will have to pay the shipping costs which is a bit pointless so was hoping someone had a bright spark of an idea (apols for the pun).

SPECIFICATIONS

Appliance Type Coffee Maker Assembled Depth (in.) 12 in Assembled Height (in.) 14 in Assembled Width (in.) 6.75 in Built In Grinder No Capacity (oz.) 24 oz Certifications and Listings 1-UL Listed Clock No Coffee Maker Type Drip Maker Color/Finish Black Color/Finish Family Black Dishwasher Safe Parts No ENERGY STAR Certified No Manufacturer Warranty 1 year limited Number of Cups 3 cup (US) Pause/Interrupt No Product Depth (in.) 12 Product Height (in.) 14 Product Weight (lb.) 5.96 Product Width (in.) 6.75 Returnable 90-Day Safety Listing UL Thermal No Voltage (volts) 120 Wattage (watts) 1150
Appliance Type Coffee Maker Assembled Depth (in.) 12 in
Assembled Height (in.) 14 in Assembled Width (in.) 6.75 in
Built In Grinder No Capacity (oz.) 24 oz
Certifications and Listings 1-UL Listed Clock No
Coffee Maker Type Drip Maker Color/Finish Black
Color/Finish Family Black Dishwasher Safe Parts No
ENERGY STAR Certified No Manufacturer Warranty 1 year limited
Number of Cups 3 cup (US) Pause/Interrupt No
Product Depth (in.) 12 Product Height (in.) 14
Product Weight (lb.) 5.96 Product Width (in.) 6.75
Returnable 90-Day Safety Listing UL
Thermal No Voltage (volts) 120
Wattage (watts) 1150

Appliance Type Coffee Maker Assembled Depth (in.) 12 in Assembled Height (in.) 14 in Assembled Width (in.) 6.75 in Built In Grinder No Capacity (oz.) 24 oz Certifications and Listings 1-UL Listed Clock No Coffee Maker Type Drip Maker Color/Finish Black Color/Finish Family Black Dishwasher Safe Parts No ENERGY STAR Certified No Manufacturer Warranty 1 year limited Number of Cups 3 cup (US) Pause/Interrupt No Product Depth (in.) 12 Product Height (in.) 14 Product Weight (lb.) 5.96 Product Width (in.) 6.75 Returnable 90-Day Safety Listing UL Thermal No Voltage (volts) 120 Wattage (watts) 1150

penrhyn

Something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1kVA-SINGLE-OUTLET-PORTABLE-TRANSFORMER/dp/B00DSNWVWQ/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1386940968&sr=8-13&keywords=230v+to+110v

rmg1

If I've worked this out correctly (and it's a long time since I did any electrical calculations), running the appliance at 240V (assuming it's possible), it will only consume 575 watts to get the same effect.

The bigger problem will be the Hz. I haven't a clue what changing the Hz will do so can't comment on that bit.

WTFH

What is the make and model?

ukcarper

rmg1 wrote: »

If I've worked this out correctly (and it's a long time since I did any electrical calculations), running the appliance at 240V (assuming it's possible), it will only consume 575 watts to get the same effect.

The bigger problem will be the Hz. I haven't a clue what changing the Hz will do so can't comment on that bit.

It doesn't works that way and increasing voltage will increase power and most likely it will go bang.

rmg1

Like I said, it's a long time since I did any calculations like this.
Would you care to explain why?