Does any body no where to obtain reliable Step-down Transformer to run American Products (pumps, lights, etc). I found one rated for 500watts at Ideal Electrical for $283, but don’t now how long it would last being run continuously. Are there cheaper/reliable transformers out there?

check with Dick Smith Electronics.

they sell them.

Lights can be difficult because of the power required. If they are just fluorescents, you would be better off buying new ones.

Dick Smith have 1,000VA for $398.00. The others they have are very small.

JayCar have a 500W for $219.00 and a 1,000W for $339.00. They have smaller ones as well. www,jarcar.co.nz

Thanks that great

Caryl - have you used the JarCar product before (how reliable are they)?

that's www.jaycar.co.nz

Transformers last a long time - there is very little that can go wrong with them. A lot of equipment that plugs into the mains already have one inside - it isn't the transformer that usually dies.

Transformers can become noisy with age as the core "loosens up" and starts rattling. Running them over their rating can cause them to overheat. Not a lot else happens to them in my experience.

A step-down transformer is just an ordinary transformer with the right number of windings to convert from 240V to 110V. They are incredibly simple devices - unfortunately all transformers are expensive (anyone who has ever had to wind one can tell you why).

We just had a transformer break down at work, it was around 6 months old. heh.

If you have multiply appliances running of the transformer and one appliance is turned of, will it cause any problems to the other appliances plugged in?

Shouldn't cause problems.

We have bought all sorts from Jaycar with no problems but not a transformer specifically.

Thanks for the correction chim. I was at work and didn't notice the , instead of the .

I have one that I recently advertised on the Trading section, but it seems to have been lost off the end of the list.

Email me if you are interested and I'll get a pic off to you.

Bill.

I've got 2 x 7kVA 210,220,230,240,250:110 transformers. I was going to turn them into a power conditioner for the stereo but might sell one or both if the price is right.

Would probably be looking at $750 each. They are about 70kg each!

Probably too big for your application anyway.

Would work great if you want to convert your whole house to 110V.

Pic is here if you are interested

http://www.homepages.paradise.net.nz/grumpygr/Power.htm

Bill.

search for transformer on trademe

Deal is concluded.. but thanks RnB...