140 v small appliances in 240v Thailand question

[sirineou]

Ok so the good news is today they are starting distribution of the vaccine here in the US, first high risk people and hopefully do to my age and pre existing condition me and the wife, and perhaps in the next few months make our way back to Thailand. (no way I am guaranteeing for 14 days locked up in a room with the wife).

And I was think of bringing a couple of things  that I use often and love,with me from the US, two of which are motorized 120 v small appliances, (a Kitchen aid mixer, and knife sharpener) 

I know that transformers will make motors  run a little slower , but I never tried a 140 v on a 240 transformer in Thailand and I don't know how bad.

What's the advice from you who have more experience in this matters. 

[Crossy]

Your appliances probably have brushed motors, which means they should actually run fine on 50Hz, the only caveat being that they may heat up faster than normal, no issue with the knife sharpener and probably the mixer too.

 

Just make sure you get a transformer rated at least 50% higher than the bigger appliance.

 

The biggest issue will be someone accidentally plugging your device into a 220v outlet as the plugs are the same.

 

On the other point, there's no news yet as to how the Thai government are going to handle those who have been vaccinated, we shall see what occurs.

[sirineou]

12 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Your appliances probably have brushed motors, which means they should actually run fine on 50Hz, the only caveat being that they may heat up faster than normal, no issue with the knife sharpener and probably the mixer too.

 

Just make sure you get a transformer rated at least 50% higher than the bigger appliance.

 

The biggest issue will be someone accidentally plugging your device into a 220v outlet as the plugs are the same.

 

On the other point, there's no news yet as to how the Thai government are going to handle those who have been vaccinated, we shall see what occurs.

Thank you for that answer,

I can't wait to get back home in Thailand, once there is a significant pool of vaccinated people I don't see how Thailand will not relax some of travel restrictions to revitalize it''s saging tourist industry. but TIT so who knows, I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, sirineou said:

 

I know that transformers will make motors  run a little slower , but I never tried a 140 v on a 240 transformer in Thailand and I don't know how bad.

Two points 

the transformer will not effect the motor speed it’s the power frequency that does that , as Crossy said. 
the other point is that if you really have 140V appliances you will not find a transformer easily, did you mean 110V?

[DrDave]

You'll need to determine the wattage of your mixer in order to select the correct step-down transformer. Kitchen Aid mixers typically run between 275 watts (Classic models) and 325 (Artisan models). As Crossy mentioned above, you'll need a transformer rated at least 50% higher than the normal operating draw due to the higher current demand at motor start-up, so 400-500 watts.  I recall buying a 500W step-down transformer in Phuket at an electronics chain store for about 600 baht several years ago, but never saw them again after I bought mine. They tend to be big and heavy - not something you want to buy in the US and bring to Thailand in your luggage. Lazada has them for less than 1,500 baht.

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, DrDave said:

You'll need to determine the wattage of your mixer in order to select the correct step-down transformer. Kitchen Aid mixers typically run between 275 watts (Classic models) and 325 (Artisan models). As Crossy mentioned above, you'll need a transformer rated at least 50% higher than the normal operating draw due to the higher current demand at motor start-up, so 400-500 watts.  I recall buying a 500W step-down transformer in Phuket at an electronics chain store for about 600 baht several years ago, but never saw them again after I bought mine. They tend to be big and heavy - not something you want to buy in the US and bring to Thailand in your luggage. Lazada has them for less than 1,500 baht.

Thank you so much,

I have saved this thread so I don't forget  . I saw  a 1000 W transformer  at lazada for  2000 bht, ,  

 

 

[sirineou]

2 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Two points 

the transformer will not effect the motor speed it’s the power frequency that does that , as Crossy said. 
the other point is that if you really have 140V appliances you will not find a transformer easily, did you mean 110V?

It is120v, but I thought that they were really 140v same way that 220 is relay 240 v,     Don't know much about that, I seem to remember reading something about it. or perhaps I remember wrong. 

[sometimewoodworker]

3 minutes ago, sirineou said:

It is120v, but I thought that they were really 140v same way that 220 is relay 240 v,     Don't know much about that, I seem to remember reading something about it. or perhaps I remember wrong. 

The rating on relays/contractors will vary depending on input voltage, so as far as the design voltage they are virtually all okay for a range in the voltage they can switch.
 

The control current may be more sensitive depending on design details. So a 12v control supply switching a 240v load supply is not unusual.

 

The 3 phases in California are usually at a little under 110v so are you sure about the 120v standard?

[KannikaP]

12 minutes ago, sirineou said:

It is120v, but I thought that they were really 140v same way that 220 is relay 240 v,     Don't know much about that, I seem to remember reading something about it. or perhaps I remember wrong. 

240v is UK only, trust us to be different!

And slightly off-topic, I have a voltage stabiliser/surge eliminator for my PCs etc which keeps voltage down to about 220/225. I have a small box showing voltage, current, power, frequency, all reading OK. Put my cheapo Mr DIY multimeter on same output.....259 volts reading.

[bankruatsteve]

38 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I have saved this thread so I don't forget  . I saw  a 1000 W transformer  at lazada for  2000 bht,

Just to say that you might consider gifting or selling your appliances in the states and purchasing new here.  Motors just don't like a different frequency than design and may reduce life.  Not to mention, a transformer will take up kitchen space that you could probably better use.  ????

[bankruatsteve]

29 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

The 3 phases in California are usually at a little under 110v so are you sure about the 120v standard?

Nominal voltage in the states has been 120v/240v for years although many areas still operate at 110v/220v.

[VocalNeal]

42 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

240v is UK only, trust us to be different!

 

...and Brazil is 127v.

 

A lot of industry in UK is 110v. To stop workers stealing light bulbs and power tools.

[treetops]

6 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

A lot of industry in UK is 110v. To stop workers stealing light bulbs and power tools.

 

They now steal light bulbs, power tools and transformers.

[DrDave]

10 hours ago, bankruatsteve said:

Just to say that you might consider gifting or selling your appliances in the states and purchasing new here.  Motors just don't like a different frequency than design and may reduce life.  Not to mention, a transformer will take up kitchen space that you could probably better use.  ????

 

I priced Kitchen Aid mixers a while back. They're crazy expensive in Thailand - at least double the US price, and they're not cheap in the US.

[DrDave]

I forgot to mention that some of the "Pro" models of Kitchen Aid mixers are rated in HP, ranging from 1.0-1.3 which equates to roughly 750 - 950 watts. Other "Pro" models are rated in watts - some are 450 and some are 575. 

Best to make sure you know your mixer's actual power rating before buying a transformer!

[sirineou]

10 hours ago, bankruatsteve said:

Nominal voltage in the states has been 120v/240v for years although many areas still operate at 110v/220v.

 

10 hours ago, KannikaP said:

240v is UK only, trust us to be different!

And slightly off-topic, I have a voltage stabiliser/surge eliminator for my PCs etc which keeps voltage down to about 220/225. I have a small box showing voltage, current, power, frequency, all reading OK. Put my cheapo Mr DIY multimeter on same output.....259 volts reading.

You all are correct.

What I was remembering,, or really not remembering LOL .was that it used to be 110v  and now it is 120v , and that two 120v breakers and a neutral gives you 240v. 

and some how in my old age ravaged mind the first part became 140v also, which makes no sense because two 140v a neutral would give you 280v. 

I am now 63 years old, my Mom stared loosing her mind when she was in her late seventies, she would bo out of the house and not remember how to get back, we would have to go out and find her, It was very sad , she was always a very sharp lady , and a community activist.   Brain farts like this that seem to happen with a frequent regularity to me as I get older scares the hell out of me. 

Anyway thank you all for all your replies, it really helped me. 

[sirineou]

10 hours ago, bankruatsteve said:

Just to say that you might consider gifting or selling your appliances in the states and purchasing new here.  Motors just don't like a different frequency than design and may reduce life.  Not to mention, a transformer will take up kitchen space that you could probably better use.  ????

I plan to do that with most of it. but I love my Kitchen-aid Mixer, with the covid , and staying at home all day, I really got into baking,  bread making, and sausage making.I think it would be difficult, and expensive  to Buy a kichen aid and all the attachments in Thailand. The knife sharpener is lite and easy to bring, iso if I am going to bring one, I might also bring the other. 

[sirineou]

27 minutes ago, DrDave said:

I forgot to mention that some of the "Pro" models of Kitchen Aid mixers are rated in HP, ranging from 1.0-1.3 which equates to roughly 750 - 950 watts. Other "Pro" models are rated in watts - some are 450 and some are 575. 

Best to make sure you know your mixer's actual power rating before buying a transformer!

Thank you for that heads up. I have the Artisan model , and I think it is 325 W , 

[sirineou]

13 hours ago, sirineou said:

Thank you so much,

I have saved this thread so I don't forget  . I saw  a 1000 W transformer  at lazada for  2000 bht, ,  

 

 

I wonder , rather than having this big box on my counter, if it might be better hard wiring it under the counter, and just bringing the outlet and switch to the top, Whether it would even be a good idea.  I would have have to get n outlet that is covered  with a warning in it, so that nobody bats confused by it. 

Just thinking out loud

[Crossy]

17 hours ago, sirineou said:

I would have have to get n outlet that is covered  with a warning in it, so that nobody bats confused by it. 

 

Better would be to use Chinese or Aussie outlets and put the relevant plugs on your 120V appliances, the biggest danger is that the 120V units get plugged into a 220V outlet. The other way round is unlikely to do a lot of harm.

[sirineou]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Better would be to use Chinese or Aussie outlets and put the relevant plugs on your 120V appliances, the biggest danger is that the 120V units get plugged into a 220V outlet. The other way round is unlikely to do a lot of harm.

That is an excellent suggestion,. put plugs on my small appliances that will not go into the outlets at home but only go into the  step down transformer,  

I love it,