Simran AC-2000 Step Up/Down Voltage Converter Transformer 110V/220V - 2000 Watts,Black

I got this so I could run a 220v Singer Featherweight sewing machine off a standard 110v outlet. My husband got me the Featherweight off of Craigslist, but didn't realize at the time that it has a 220v motor. Turns out it was brought over from New Zealand and the previous owner just got a new cord and plugged it into a 220v appliance outlet to use it. Not wanting to have to use it next to my washing machine all the time, I figured a voltage converter was the way to go. This one was the most affordable one I found, and it works great. Not too big or heavy to lug around either! It won't fit in the Featherweight case though (not that I expected it to).Do note that because of the frequency difference - 220v motors (of any kind) are designed for 50hz while the US runs on 60hz - will make the motor run slightly faster. A voltage converter can't change that, so you'll just have to deal with it. For a sewing machine it totally doesn't matter, but depending on what you want to use this for you should check into how this will affect your device.

of course it works, one just needs to understand basic AC/DC first of course

Doesn't work. bought it with the thought of using. it sat in a closet for a couple of months. when attempted to use (first time) checked multiple times that the input is set on 220 V (as in my country), connected (first with a plug adapter) to live power socket, flipped the switch and nothing, no light no current nothing. Changed the plug (to have grounding) still nothing. Changed a fuse, nothing. Just a heavy ugly chunk of metal. Going to try and open it up next, hopefully not going to electrocute myselfedit: thanks to a bad screw, I had to go find something to break it off with... it has been a while since I used my Dremel :)awesome first impression when taking apart...When opened, the first thing I noticed is the fuse's disconnected wire (circled with red in one of the attached photos) and copious amounts of glue (just indicates how "good" the build quality is)... so now I need to go find a soldering iron, which I'm not sure I have. still 1 star, NOT something I would recommend!edit 2 - "let there be light": found soldering iron, connected wire, there's light after flipping switch. connected a black and decker wireless screwdriver BDCS20 to charge. will update in a while if it is more than just a lightLast update: It "works". It charged my flimsy screwdriver. I am not going to test it with anything big, nor am I going to check actual voltage.Me needing to open the BADLY BUILT thing and RE-WIRE any part in a completed product is more than enough to earn this negative stars.

We've left this on for over a month now without issues to test a firewall appliance and it just stayed luke warm and never got too hot to touch.There's a switch in the back where you can select the input voltage, either 110V or 220V. We've only used it in the US at 110V input and 220V output in the front. Please note that this is quite a bit heavier than travel transformers that are popular for temporary use.However, this transformer does not change the Hz from 50 to 60 or vice versa. In Europe, it's only 50 Hz, so this transformer can only take down the voltage to 110V but does not increase the cycles to 60 Hz. Likewise in the US, this transformer does not reduce the cycles to 50 Hz. This mainly affects devices that rely on timing such as clocks and the speed of motors.FYI...many devices like your cell phone/camera charger, laptops, and shavers are already 100-240V 50/60 Hz and usable worldwide with the appropriate $2 adapter plug. Just carefully check the label.

I bought this because I live in Europe and have a lot of 110V stuff and 220V stuff I would like to be able to take back to the States one day. Though this is a great product, I am still trying to figure out what to use it for.You see, these transformers are an "on"/"off" appliances; which means they are either on (drawing 500 watts out of your wall) or they are off (a heavy paperweight). My flat screen LCD TV is 110V only, but I can run it and an XBox 360 on one 300W transformer... So you save money on the transformer purchase and the 300 watts (as opposed to 500 watts) coming out of your wall. I have a 2000W transformer too that I use to run my Dyson vacuum, but I only plug it in and turn it on when I am vacuuming.What I am getting at is just make sure you know how much power you need especially if you intend to use the transformer continually. If you just need to charge your 110V only electric razor for instance, you are only going to need a 100W transformer, as most razor chargers pull less than an amp of power. Most large electronics can run on 300W (a laser printer, maybe more). For a refrigerator or vaccuum, you are going to need a lot more juice: 1000-2000W.REMEMBER: voltage x amperage = wattageMost devices pull the same wattage regardless of voltage. Which means all those Europeans and Asians are using less amps, that's all.

Have happily used this converter for a month with absolutely no issues. It is powered on 24/7 to run an old 220-volt Bose Acoustic Wave radio from the European market and it does it well. The converter is heavy and is not for portable use and it runs a little warm, but not hot.Don't be like me and skip reading the little pamphlet that comes with it - I couldn't understand why it didn't seem to work until I realized there is a switch in the rear of the unit to select a 220 or 110 input voltage and it was switched to the 220 volt input at the factory. D'oh!!Anyway, it works just fine and it comes with a couple of extra fuses and a European converter plug in case you need one.