more on technology
I just have to mention the following anecdote because I've been snickering to myself about it for days.
We recently talked to another family who had also just moved to New Zealand from the US, and we were on the subject of appliances. Apparently they had purchased several plug converter units with transformers, and intended to run various appliances through the transformer. Even their toaster! We have one of those 220V-to-110V transformers with a maximum power output of about 50 watts. A toaster is going to draw about 750 watts. That's pretty much going to cause the transformer to bite it.
Those transformer units aren't cheap (at least USD$40 from REI), so they'll be out one transformer and one toaster (having no way to power it). On the other hand, we bought a brand new toaster here for about NZD$6.
Actually I just noticed that some transformer units have a high-wattage setting so you can run devices like a hair dryer. That would work for a toaster too. Still, USD$40, or NZD$6 (about USD$3.70)? Which would you choose? We got a new TV that understands both NTSC and PAL, and a new DVD player that came with instructions on how to set it to region-free mode. Trying to bring our existing appliances with us would have been really expensive and pretty disappointing overall.
We went to a garage sale the other day and saw a cheap microwave oven. However, the power plug appeared to be a European style plug, and it was sitting in what appeared to be its original shipping box with Korean writing on it. We passed on that one.
We recently talked to another family who had also just moved to New Zealand from the US, and we were on the subject of appliances. Apparently they had purchased several plug converter units with transformers, and intended to run various appliances through the transformer. Even their toaster! We have one of those 220V-to-110V transformers with a maximum power output of about 50 watts. A toaster is going to draw about 750 watts. That's pretty much going to cause the transformer to bite it.
Those transformer units aren't cheap (at least USD$40 from REI), so they'll be out one transformer and one toaster (having no way to power it). On the other hand, we bought a brand new toaster here for about NZD$6.
Actually I just noticed that some transformer units have a high-wattage setting so you can run devices like a hair dryer. That would work for a toaster too. Still, USD$40, or NZD$6 (about USD$3.70)? Which would you choose? We got a new TV that understands both NTSC and PAL, and a new DVD player that came with instructions on how to set it to region-free mode. Trying to bring our existing appliances with us would have been really expensive and pretty disappointing overall.
We went to a garage sale the other day and saw a cheap microwave oven. However, the power plug appeared to be a European style plug, and it was sitting in what appeared to be its original shipping box with Korean writing on it. We passed on that one.
You can get larger ones. When we lived in the UK, we had 1kW transformers around for certain things (don't remember what).
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ehintz
2006-04-17T10:25:59Z
I just got a 1kw off trademe for $200. Primarily because we can use it for our LaserWriter 16/600PS and Oreck vacuum cleaner. We've also got a collection of stuff, like cordless phones and a wireless AP, running on the el cheapo inverters. But by and large, I'd agree that the best bet is to buy stuff locally. Pity that Oreck doesn't sell in NZ.
goulo
2006-04-18T09:49:17Z
Somebody moved a toaster from the US to New Zealand?
ghewgill
2006-04-18T10:36:25Z
It appears so, yes. We found out later that this family had commissioned their own entire shipping container, so they wanted to fill it up with as much stuff as possible. Once you've got your own container, it pretty much doesn't matter how much stuff you put in it - you're not charged for weight.
I think I prefer the minimalist approach.
I think I prefer the minimalist approach.
2006-04-17T00:31:24Z