Where to buy travel converter for Bonaire (127V 50 Hz to 110V 60hz)

[dvleemin]

Thanks Warren,
Now one quick question - what do I have to buy to make sure I don't fry my battery charger oand any other 110V devices??

Darryl

 

[VTWarrenG]

donacheson,

However, I do recall that transformers change input-to-output voltages although isolation transformers sometimes preserve voltage (although that's not their primary function) and inverters change DC-to-AC and rectifiers AC-to-DC. As for what converts 50 to 60 Hz power, I don't recall - if such a beast exists.

All transformers work the same way -- they use magnetic inductance to carry power through a changing magnetic field from one coil of wire to another. If one pole of the transformer has more windings than the other, then the transformer will convert voltages. If the windings are the same on both poles, then the voltage is unchanged. If the transformer is used such that the ground planes attached to each side of the transformer are independent, then that transformer provides isolation. The term "isolation transformer" implies unity voltage gain, but that's not necessarily true. You can certainly use a 2:1 transformer as an isolation transformer by simply using indepedent grounds on each side.

Inverters create AC from DC; rectifiers create DC from AC.

Converting a 50Hz waveform to 60Hz, as I've said, requires only that you use a rectifier FOLLOWED BY an inverter, with the desired output frequency.

- Warren

 

[BILLB]

Warren,
Thanks for the clarification. What I thought I said was that the voltages in Bonaire (with a bit of humor) will be like any other third world nation. The output is all over the place.

As for MOV's and Transient Voltage Suppressors they will indeed fail if the voltage reaches the rating. They do very well on transients but if the voltage stays at or above the rating they will surely fail.

For most applications I have found Radio Shack has a nice line of VOLTAGE CONVERTERS. 50 hertz will work for almost all appliances. Just be aware that appliances with motors will run slower at 50 hertz and heaters will get hotter!

NTSC sync rate is 59.94 hertz. Horizontal rate is a multiple at
15,734 hertz (with several decimal places). BW TV used a straight 60 HZ and could be locked to the line frequency.

 

[VTWarrenG]

BILLB,

Yeah, the moral of the story is to convert the voltage down a bit with any of the cheap, available transformers, and don't worry about the frequency too much -- except for some devices like motors. However, most consumer products with motors are rated to withstand 50Hz anyway. Products that use chargers and rectifiers almost certainly won't care at all about 50Hz.

- Warren

 

[dvleemin]

Ok,
So lets summarize then . . . .

What exactly do I have to buy (I gather its no a specific 127->110V transformer, but anything that converts down to 110??)

Thanks,

Darryl

 

[VTWarrenG]

dvleemin,

I'll have to look around for you...

- Warren

 

[dvleemin]

Warren,
That would be much appreciated. . .

Darryl

 

[DiverRider]

Just an update, after speaking with my travel agent and knowing the charactristics of the electrical supply they generate, do not chance using any US equipment not labled 100-240 volts at 50-60 hertz on there electrical system. The investment on a converter is worth every penny!

 

[Gilldiver]

I am anywhere from Moscow to India, China, Turkey, France, and Poland throught the year.

Look at the back lable of the converter you have, if there is a UL and a CE stamp and it is rated for 110-240 and 50-60HZ you are good to go with the exception of having an outlet adapter. I just looked at the converter for my HP computer, it is rated for 100-240 and 50-60 Hz. I have no worries pluging in my phone, computer, camera, and batteries.

What some seem to miss is that for computers, camera, and battery chargers the converted is changing a AC to a trickle DC charge.

For things like hair driers or other things that run on AC, again look for both the UL and CE stamp, but you may also need to look for a 120 or 220 voltage switch.

Face it, everything comes out of China and it is all made to run all over the world with no added costs for electrical grid changes.