possible/easy to change an appliance to be a dual voltage one?

The only way this might be possible would be if the unit had two 110V heating elements that could be rewired in series (rather than parallel). This is unlikely.

You might be able to find a 220-to-110 converter for heating devices (not motors or transformer-powered devices). This simply reduces the waveform's duty cycle, much as a lamp dimmer does.

Might be possible to change the elements if the device was sold in countries that use this. But there might be other differences related to safety, etc.

BTW, the 'official' voltage in the UK is 230v - to harmonise with Europe. But in practice it is still 240v - only the allowed tolerance has changed.

I suspect it would be cost effective to simply buy a replacement waffle maker in the UK.

Aren't they available?

Charlie

Considering the cost of electricy wasted (around 200 watts), plus the cost of the transformer, it might be cheaper to forget about the waffle maker entirely and go out for breakfast whenever you want waffles.

Another possibility would be one of those voltage convertors sold for hair driers that are really just a big resistor or a diode. The biggest problem I can anticipate with them is that the wiring of the waffle iron is not really safe at 240 volts.

If the unit were made in the US and UL certified (the whole unit, not just the cord), it should be insulated up to 600 volts and be ok, but if it were made in China, all bets are off.

When we moved here (a real 230 volt 50 Hz system), from the U.S. I bought a waffle maker, that I told my wife was both "multivoltage and multisystem" :-) It's a heavy cast aluminum device, with a thick teflon coating and is used over a gas flame.

Geoff.

Just occurred to me... Stick a 15A, 300V rectifier in series with the waffle maker.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk says...>

Buy a second waffle maker and hook them in series; make twice the waffles in the same time. ;-)

Alternatively, assuming that it is a 'clam-shell' type design, it will probably have a 110v element in both the top and bottom halves, hooked in parallel. Convert to 220v (near enough with an item such as this to not be of any consequence) by rewiring the internal connector block where the wiring from each element comes together, to place the two elements in series.

Arfa

First thing to do is contact the manufacturer and see if there is a 220 model by rewiring or parts replacement. I can see that being difficult to do with consumer products, but is standard procedure for dealing with equipment.

I recently tried to contact Toastmaster consumer affairs and got lead around to Fox International, and Salton, now I see a different company today, Middleby, but they do have a phone #. Emailing these people is a major hassle.

greg

by

Rewiring is usually not an option, nor is a transformer with anything with a motor in it. 60Hz motors will run 20% slower, with 20% less power and more (20%?) heat.

We brought a US refrigerator with us and had to run it on a 100 volt output transformer so that the compressor motor would not overheat and burn out. It worked for 11 years before the seals went on it.

Geoff.

Last year I got an incubator, kept melting plastic power switches. Found out it had the wrong heater drawing too many amps. Funny thing, the unit was made in europe and usually comes with a 240 heater. I finally got the correct heater element after consultation. I don't think they made many 120 volt models and somehow screwed it up.

In todays world market, they try to make it universal whenever possible.

greg

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:05:55 -0800, "William Sommerwerck" put finger to keyboard and composed:

That would still result in twice the rated power consumption.

- Franc Zabkar

Right. Sudden inspirations aren't always correct.

But much faster waffles! (IMHO the best idea was if there were two elements (each half) in parallel, just series 'em!)

Which was my idea, but no one paid any attention.

Thanks for the tip about getting a special voltage converter for heating appliances - I searched around and I could get a travel one from the USA designed to convert the voltage for hairdryers/curling tongs/irons etc to be used in the UK. They cost around =A316-20 including postage - so I think I will get one of these as the waffle maker was worth much more than this.

Thanks for the tip about getting a special voltage converter for heating appliances - I searched around and I could get a travel one from the USA designed to convert the voltage for hairdryers/curling tongs/irons etc to be used in the UK. They cost around £16-20 including postage - so I think I will get one of these as the waffle maker was worth much more than this.

Just make sure it has adequate capacity.

what do you mean by capacity? sorry to be ignorant

It has to handle the current drain, which is going to be at least 5A on the

Seems like cell phone makers don't believe so with their different sizes of batteries and adaptors for chargers. Every time they come up with a new line/model they introduce new batteries and chargers even though the voltage and capacities remain the same as the ones for the older models. Standardization is good for consumers but manufacturers seem to like to make things nonstandard to force people to buy new accessories again.