Most people seem to recommend just getting a new dryer, however I received a really nice/expensive one last Christmas so I would really like to keep using it. It has 220-240V, 50/60Hz, 1850-2400W so not dual voltage. Now, I’ve read some warnings about devices overheating/catching fire/blowing fuses when used with converters which is why I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Does it make a difference whether I’m trying to go up or down in voltage? Does anyone have experience with this? If I do get one, what should I think about to use it safely?
Edit: Thanks for the feedback everyone, looks like I’m definitely not getting a converter!
7 comments
a 3kW+ converter which is what you’re going to need to safely run that off 100V is not going to be cheap, and would *also* be over spec for a typical household 100V/12A (1200W) circuit.
If you got a 200V aircon plug somewhere nearby, I guess you can try that directly (it’s going to be a little under spec, but it’ll probably work).
Stepping up at that wattage will suck.
If you buy a converter, you need to ensure it can cover at the very least 2400W, and make sure you don’t plug anything else on it at the same time as your hairdryer.
It’s going to cost you quite a bit (more than 1man I think) and take a lot of real estate in your home. Also you’ll want to put it somewhere far from a point of water so you’ll dry your hair outside of your bathroom.
Just better off selling it and rebuying a new one with the appropriate voltage.
Also tell your friends and family to not gift you electrical appliances going forward 🙂
Resell it and get the Japanese model.
a converter that can handle 2400w will weight the same as a cinder block
i don’t think it’s going to be worth it for a hair dryer
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For something as basic as a hair dryer, you can actually get really cheap step-down voltage converters for high wattage (I think they’re basically just half-wave rectifiers internally)
But the problem is that a standard Japanese power outlet maxes out at 1500 W. You’ll just blow the fuse.
I just bought a new dryer and hair iron when I moves here. So much easier.