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[down 2 orth]

Hey Gaf.

So I moved to Japan recently and decided to bring my TV with me because it was still cheaper to ship it over than buy a new one. The problem is this: my TV is 220V and Japanese outlets are 110V. I thought buying a power converter would be simple enough, but for some strange reason all or most converters sold in Japan are labeled as being unusable in Japan. I bought one anyway, with the input listed as AC 110V-130V / 220V - 240V 50/60Hz and the output listed as 100V. Please excuse that I'm not very knowledgeable with this. After setting it all up and turning the TV on, everything was running smooth for about 5 minutes and then the converter just shut itself off. I tried again and the same thing happened. Not sure what's going on there. Anyways, I'm getting PS4 deprived now and I'm really tempted to just stick my TV cord into the outlet directly to see what happens (I know at the very least it won't be as dangerous as if the voltages were reversed). Any good advice on how to handle this?

Edit: by the ways, it's really tough to find specific info for this online, so you're my only help GAF!!

 

[strata8]

Most are able to use both, check on the back of the TV and there should be a label somewhere with the allowed voltages. Mine is able to use 100V-240V (my country is 230V).

edit: And the reason you can't (or wouldn't) use that converter in Japan is because it outputs 100V like you said. It's for Japanese going overseas who want to use their 110V electronics. So essentially you've just converted 110V to 100V, it's useless.

 

[crazygambit]

First check the output voltage of your TV. Lots of big electronics nowadays come with universal power supplies so you might not even need a converter. Just a plug adaptor in case plugs are different in Japan vs yours.

If it turns out you do need a converter, you need one that supports the right wattage. I suspect your converter was too small for the TV. TVs are power hungry usually so I would go with something like a 1000W converter to be sure.

 

[IISANDERII]

Hey Gaf.

So I moved to Japan recently and decided to bring my TV with me because it was still cheaper to ship it over than buy a new one. The problem is this: my TV is 220V and Japanese outlets are 110V. I thought buying a power converter would be simple enough, but for some strange reason all or most converters sold in Japan are labeled as being unusable in Japan. I bought one anyway, with the input listed as AC 110V-130V / 220V - 240V 50/60Hz and the output listed as 100V. Please excuse that I'm not very knowledgeable with this. After setting it all up and turning the TV on, everything was running smooth for about 5 minutes and then the converter just shut itself off. I tried again and the same thing happened. Not sure what's going on there. Anyways, I'm getting PS4 deprived now and I'm really tempted to just stick my TV cord into the outlet directly to see what happens (I know at the very least it won't be as dangerous as if the voltages were reversed). Any good advice on how to handle this?

Edit: by the ways, it's really tough to find specific info for this online, so you're my only help GAF!!

Probably overheated, was it hot?

 

[down 2 orth]

Thanks for the info! On the back it says 220V~, 50Hz, 295 W. I read that most TVs can do both ranges, is it possible that mine would be an exception? Its a Panny Plasma bought in China.

Probably overheated, was it hot?

Kind of, it was warm...

 

[Finaika]

I would advise not.

Brought my 220V PS3 to Japan, plugged it into a socket and it was damaged (no visuals on the TV).

Get a step-down up transformer first.

 

[down 2 orth]

I would advise not.

Brought my 220v PS3 to Japan, plugged it into a socket and it was damaged (no visuals on the TV).

Get a step-down transformer first.

Ok, I'll definitely do that then.

 

[3rdman]

Get another TV...they are so darn cheap nowadays and FYI, if you do get a transformer, you would need to get a step-UP transformer which are significantly more expensive.

Something like this would work well I think...Remember though you need to go UP on the voltage...
http://certifiedmtp.com/step-up-step-down-transformer-500w/?gclid=CjwKEAjwzJexBRCa_pGo8IK0ilASJABfGldb2x4FgUgxR--dJY5M6CJ5AqcWVfjjtLmmr3FifvmpqBoCT0Pw_wcB

 

[ShamePain]

I remember when I plugged an NTSC Dreamcast into 220v socket, the smell of burning remained in the room for good 2 weeks.

 

[Finaika]

Ok, I'll definitely do that then.

Wait! My mistake, get a step-up transformer.

Get another TV...they are so darn cheap nowadays and FYI, if you do get a transformer, you would need to get a step-UP transformer which are significantly more expensive.

I would recommend doing this too. The step-up transformer I bought was pretty expensive (around 15,000yen) and very heavy!

 

[down 2 orth]

edit: And the reason you can't (or wouldn't) use that converter in Japan is because it outputs 100V like you said. It's for Japanese going overseas who want to use their 110V electronics. So essentially you've just converted 110V to 100V, it's useless.

So the main problem here is that I need transformer (step-up) that has an output of 220V?

I would recommend doing this too. The step-up transformer I bought was pretty expensive (around 15,000yen) and very heavy!

Get another TV...they are so darn cheap nowadays and FYI, if you do get a transformer, you would need to get a step-UP transformer which are significantly more expensive.

Something like this would work well I think...Remember though you need to go UP on the voltage...
http://certifiedmtp.com/step-up-step-down-transformer-500w/?gclid=CjwKEAjwzJexBRCa_pGo8IK0ilASJABfGldb2x4FgUgxR--dJY5M6CJ5AqcWVfjjtLmmr3FifvmpqBoCT0Pw_wcB

Its a pretty big and expensive TV and its already shipped over, so I'm going to have to go through with buying the transformer too. 15,000 yen is tough, but I'll have to bite the bullet this far in.

 

[Garou]

Dude, transforming electricity takes quite a bit. If your TV pulls 300W you need a convertor that actually transforms up to that, which is usually a big and expensive box. Just buying an adaptor for the plug is a recipe to blow up your electronics.

 

[KrellRell]

Dude, transforming electricity takes quite a bit. If your TV pulls 300W you need a convertor that actually transforms up to that, which is usually a big and expensive box. Just buying an adaptor for the plug is a recipe to blow up your electronics.

Yes, you need a 100-220V transformer. And like Garou said it needs to be at the very least 300 W. 300 W is a pretty power hungry TV.

Instead of getting a transformer, I'd recommend getting a new LED TV. The power savings will eventually cover a chunk of the cost, plus you wouldn't have to invest in a transformer, which is another piece of equipment that can fail.

 

[Izuna]

I've taken my monitor to JP but honestly OP, you need to tell us your model number going forward. Let me know and I'll recommend the right product.

 

[down 2 orth]

I've taken my monitor to JP but honestly OP, you need to tell us your model number going forward. Let me know and I'll recommend the right product.

Sure, it's an obscure Chinese model TH-P55S60CD. At this point fellow gaffers have been awesome as usual and I think I have most of the information I need, but I'm still kind of confused on the difference between input and output for voltage, and which numbers I will need for both of those.

Dude, transforming electricity takes quite a bit. If your TV pulls 300W you need a convertor that actually transforms up to that, which is usually a big and expensive box. Just buying an adaptor for the plug is a recipe to blow up your electronics.

Yes, you need a 100-220V transformer. And like Garou said it needs to be at the very least 300 W. 300 W is a pretty power hungry TV.

Thanks, I think I overlooked the wattage aspect as well.

 

[alekth]

Well, looking at amazon, there are cheaper ones as well, but you have to get one that's powerful enough, higher than what your TV has as a Watt listing. Seems unlikely that you'd ship some huge plasma though, so it's unlikely to be that high and maybe not all that expensive.

Guess you'd have to weight it in vs just getting another TV.

If it's any help, 変圧器 is the general name if you look for it online.

 

[manueldelalas]

So the main problem here is that I need transformer (step-up) that has an output of 220V?





Its a pretty big and expensive TV and its already shipped over, so I'm going to have to go through with buying the transformer too. 15,000 yen is tough, but I'll have to bite the bullet this far in.

Take a picture of the back of your TV, we will help you. A 750 Watt converter is merely 40 or so dollars, no need to buy a new TV; and it's a big heavy box; small converters will never work on TVs, since those output like 75W or so.

Sure, it's an obscure Chinese model TH-P55S60CD. At this point fellow gaffers have been awesome as usual and I think I have most of the information I need, but I'm still kind of confused on the difference between input and output for voltage, and which numbers I will need for both of those.





Thanks, I think I overlooked the wattage aspect as well.

That TV, according to a quick google search, outputs 295W, so you may need a smaller converter.

Something like this maybe?

EDIT: Nope, go for this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Bright-VC500W-Voltage-Transformer-converter/dp/B000MX1QXA/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1445352728&sr=1-2&keywords=500+watt+converter The other was too close in wattage to the nominal of the TV.

 

[battousai11]

You have to be careful of the frequency rating as well. In general, plugging in a 50Hz appliance into a 60Hz source will make it run hotter.

Apparently depending on where you are in Japan, the power source can be 50Hz or 60Hz:

Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Kawasaki, Sapporo, Yokohama, and Sendai) runs at 50 Hz; Western Japan (including Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, Hiroshima) runs at 60 Hz. This originates from the first purchases of generators from AEG for Tokyo in 1895 and from General Electric for Osaka in 1896.[4][5]

 

[Izuna]

You have to be careful of the frequency rating as well. In general, plugging in a 50Hz appliance into a 60Hz source will make it run hotter.

Apparently depending on where you are in Japan, the power source can be 50Hz or 60Hz:

While this is true, OP doesn't have to worry since he has an LCD. If it were CRT he would be fucked.

OP it looks like the converter I use would work, gimme a sec to find it.

 

[3rdman]

Take a picture of the back of your TV, we will help you. A 750 Watt converter is merely 40 or so dollars, no need to buy a new TV; and it's a big heavy box; small converters will never work on TVs, since those output like 75W or so.

That TV, according to a quick google search, outputs 295W, so you may need a smaller converter.

Something like this maybe?

EDIT: Nope, go for this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Bright-VC500W-Voltage-Transformer-converter/dp/B000MX1QXA/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1445352728&sr=1-2&keywords=500+watt+converter The other was too close in wattage to the nominal of the TV.

That is exactly the model I linked to earlier...It may not be enough...If his TV draws 240W at 220v, it would draw 480w at 110v. A 500w transformer is the bare minimum and he'd likely better better off with a 700w version.

 

[Izuna]

Amazon jp link

http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb...alias=aps&field-keywords=100-120V+⇔+220-240V　

I would suggest to get the 500w one just because I don't trust the labels I saw online about your TV haha

BECAREFUL however, these things have a setting for step-up and step-down, I'm not in Japan to remember which one is which right now, but these do come with a label that tells you. The Engrish is slightly confusing but from what I remember, you want to set it to the "output voltage" with the switch.

That is exactly the model I linked to earlier...It may not be enough...If his TV draws 240W at 220v, it would draw 480w at 110v. A 500w transformer is the bare minimum and he'd likely better better off with a 700w version.

What? It wouldn't draw more power at a lower voltage, it would draw less.

EDIT: OOOOH this is a plasma TV. Hmm... Yeah definitely go for the 500w, I'd imagine that 295w working power is slightly BS enough

EDIT2:

Here it is, so you don't kill yourself (kappa)

 

[down 2 orth]

Amazon jp link

http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb...alias=aps&field-keywords=100-120V+⇔+220-240V　

I would suggest to get the 500w one just because I don't trust the labels I saw online about your TV haha

BECAREFUL however, these things have a setting for step-up and step-down, I'm not in Japan to remember which one is which right now, but these do come with a label that tells you. The Engrish is slightly confusing but from what I remember, you want to set it to the "output voltage" with the switch.



What? It wouldn't draw more power at a lower voltage, it would draw less.

EDIT: OOOOH this is a plasma TV. Hmm... Yeah definitely go for the 500w, I'd imagine that 295w working power is slightly BS enough

EDIT2:

Here it is, so you don't kill yourself (kappa)

Thanks! But people earlier were saying I would need a massive box for this, will the transformers in that link get the job done?

EDIT: Nope, go for this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Bright-VC500W-Voltage-Transformer-converter/dp/B000MX1QXA/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1445352728&sr=1-2&keywords=500+watt+converter The other was too close in wattage to the nominal of the TV.

That's $200 USD (20,040 Yen) on Amazon.jp... I really hope I don't have to go that high in price unless it's the only way.

 

[Izuna]

Thanks! But people earlier were saying I would need a massive box for this, will the transformers in that link get the job done?

It will work.

I originally got one to make a UK sewing machine work in Tokyo.

EDIT: the price of some of these recommended man, omg

 

[diehard]

220... 221 ... whatever it takes.

 

[down 2 orth]

It will work.

I originally got one to make a UK sewing machine work in Tokyo.

EDIT: the price of some of these recommended man, omg

Ok, I'll pull the trigger on one tomorrow morning then. Thanks a million!

Edit: I think I'm going to play it safe on this one... will do a bit more research keeping in mind all of the info that was mentioned.

 

[gaugebozo]

That is exactly the model I linked to earlier...It may not be enough...If his TV draws 240W at 220v, it would draw 480w at 110v. A 500w transformer is the bare minimum and he'd likely better better off with a 700w version.

Isn't power drawn constant across transformers? I1 V1 = I2 V2

It's the current that would increase if the voltage decreases.

 

[Izuna]

Ok, I'll pull the trigger on one tomorrow morning then. Thanks a million!

Edit: I think I'm going to play it safe on this one... will do a bit more research keeping in mind all of the info that was mentioned.

I understand, it took me a while before I ordered it for the sewing machine, since it was like £800. The important thing to note however, is that this one IS pretty damn heavy and in Japan it will likely use up space for two slots. That's the one advantage of the larger ones, although, they are very expensive and do the same thing.

 

[fuzzyset]

Assuming it's a LCD and not a CRT, the TV likely does an AC-DC conversion right at the input. That's why electronics, in general, can be used on any voltage/frequency power outlet. There shouldn't be any transformers involved. Here's the back of my monitor:

A TV should have something similar.

 

[Izuna]

Assuming it's a LCD and not a CRT, the TV likely does an AC-DC conversion right at the input. That's why electronics, in general, can be used on any voltage/frequency power outlet. There shouldn't be any transformers involved. Here's the back of my monitor:

A TV should have something similar.

He has a plasma, that's why it isn't dual-voltage.

 

[ReAxion]

I dunno where you bought that thing but I know that in the US, "most" TVs are exclusively 120V and do not do voltage switching.

 

[alekth]

My TV only lists 220V, while monitors list both. Maybe computer stuff is made more universal. Though my US PS3 also only states 130V, while being universal nevertheless, so that sticker on the outside isn't always telling the whole truth.

edit: Oh, yeah, TV is plasma as well. So may be that.