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: Using appliance bought in HK


trd2343
08-05-2009, 11:52 AM
I am not too familiar with electronics, but I believe I need a transformer(?) in order to use an appliance (blender) that I bought in HK. I have asked all the big electronics retail stores (Futureshop, Bestbuy etc.) and none of them has it. Where can I find one?

asian_XL
08-05-2009, 06:49 PM
A transformer costs like around $50-60 brand new, and they are bulky...

SkinnyPupp
08-05-2009, 07:25 PM
Just buy a new blender, it's not worth the trouble.

trd2343
08-05-2009, 07:43 PM
Where can I buy a transformer though? My mom prefers to keep the one she bought in HK.

SkinnyPupp
08-05-2009, 07:59 PM
You need a step-up transformer to convert the voltage from 110v to 220v. You also need to make sure it can handle the power of the blender.. Read the label on the blender, it will tell you how much power it uses...

I don't know about yours, but my blender uses 525W at full power. And a 525W step-up converter is going to be about the size and weight of a small car battery.

Here's a picture of a 500W converter. It costs about $30 USD:

http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/images/products-large/blow-up-step-up-transformer.jpg

If you still want to use one, look at an electronics store, not Future Shit or Worst Buy.

But knowing what you know now, you will realize that like I said before, it's not worth the trouble.

trd2343
08-05-2009, 08:09 PM
Thanks for the explanation and picture. If it was me, I won't go through the trouble of getting the transformer. But my mom really doesn't like the brands here, that's why she waited till she went back to HK to buy one. (Philips/Panasonic)

Where can I find an electronics store? I tried the Source, and they don't have that either. And the only stores that I can think of on top of my head is either Rona, Home Depot, etc., but I don't think they sell it either.

Thanks for reply.

El Bastardo
08-05-2009, 08:15 PM
Theres a place on Scott Road in Surrey/Delta that specializes in this sort of stuff.


To be honest I agree with Skinny on this one. Go into a local store and buy a Panasonic or Philips blender here. We have those brands in Canada too.

trd2343
08-05-2009, 08:21 PM
Do you mind pointing me to those local stores? Preferably somewhere in Richmond/Vancouver?

I know Parker, Aberdeen, nor T&T has that kind of store, so I am just trying to see where else would carry those brands I am looking for.

SkinnyPupp
08-05-2009, 08:22 PM
It doesn't matter what brand you get, they're all the same.

Manic!
08-05-2009, 10:06 PM
....................

syee
08-05-2009, 10:18 PM
I know there's a place that sells 220/110v electronics stuff on Broadway (in the section between Main and Cambie). I don't remember the name unfortunately.

If you don't want to drive around town, just browse on eBay. I was looking for a step down transformer for my bro because he had a few electronic devices from Canada he wanted to use in HK. Tons of sellers and all different kinds on eBay.

asian_XL
08-05-2009, 10:38 PM
If you don't want to drive around town, just browse on eBay. I was looking for a step down transformer for my bro because he had a few electronic devices from Canada he wanted to use in HK. Tons of sellers and all different kinds on eBay.

It's bloody expensive to get one shipped. Remember it's like a brick if you want a 300w transformer.

Pm me if he needs one in HK. I bought one for my xbox360, it's cheap in SSP area.

trd2343
08-06-2009, 12:25 PM
Thanks! I will look on Broadway.

syee
08-06-2009, 12:57 PM
Thanks! I will look on Broadway.

I decided to not be lazy and Google it. Here's the place I'm talking about

http://www.multi-system.com/

Foreign Electronis
Unit #7 - 111 West Broadway Ave (@Manitoba St.)
Vancouver, B.C., V5Y 1P4
Phone: (+1) 604-879-1189
Fax: (+1) 604-874-1165

SkinnyPupp
08-06-2009, 08:30 PM
:facepalm:

Have fun keeping a huge 15 pound brick in your kitchen, beside the blender (this (http://foreignelectronics.ca.goodboog.com/c/foreign-electronics/card/206/en) is the one you need, and they charge literally 2X the price as they do in USA, and 4X the price in HK)

trd2343
08-06-2009, 08:55 PM
My mom finally gave up. =( But I appreciate the effort, at least now I'm convinced it's not worth it.

underscore
08-06-2009, 08:56 PM
get a Canadian version of the same blender, switch the guts around? get your mom to haul around a car battery everytime she wants to use the blender, and she'll see how retarded this is.