3000W Power Transformers

5 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

   —

   **3000W Power Transformers**

   Hiya!

   I’ll be moving to Tokyo in the next few months, and I’m preparing a list of things we can/can not take.

   I was prepared to leave my coffee setup behind (2.4kW espresso machine, two kettles) along with most of our kitchen stuff, but my wife pointes out you can get 3kW “sleek” transformers on [amazon.jp](https://amazon.jp), like these:

   https://www.amazon.co.jp/AiBSB-3000Yellow/dp/B0BX6JFBC9/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=17KU2VOSNZO7&keywords=transformer+3000w&qid=1691621389&sprefix=transformer+3000w%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
   [https://www.amazon.co.jp/Yinleader-Transformer-Electrical-Lightweight-Precision/dp/B09B754RRQ/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=17KU2VOSNZO7&keywords=transformer%2B3000w&qid=1691621389&sprefix=transformer%2B3000w%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1](https://www.amazon.co.jp/Yinleader-Transformer-Electrical-Lightweight-Precision/dp/B09B754RRQ/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=17KU2VOSNZO7&keywords=transformer%2B3000w&qid=1691621389&sprefix=transformer%2B3000w%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1)

   Those seem orders of magnitude smaller and nicer looking than what I remember last time I was looking at electrical transformers, along with being able to handle A LOT of power for suspiciously low price (3kW step-up transformer for ~100E?) .

   Does anyone have experience with those? Are they gonna burn down my apartment, or are they only rated for some special outlet that I won’t find in most apartments, or something? They seem too-good-to-be-true tbh

   *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*

2. You’ll need to be careful of the overall amperage you’d be consuming. Most apartment circuits have 20 amp breakers (and it’s not uncommon for a 20amp master breaker too, although larger apartments will have 30amp master breakers).

   There is also the question of space… Having a couple of these guys in addition to the various gear they’d be powering would likely eat up all available counter space.

   In terms of whether or not you’re going to burn down your apartment… You’ll probably be fine. Just make sure you correctly hook up the grounding wire. I’d expect those things to put out a fair amount of heat, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t pack them too tightly on your counter.

3. Honestly: You shouldn’t be planning on running kitchen stuff long term on a transformer. Unless you’re getting a *very* good transformer (AKA: A very expensive one) you risk burning out motors and heating coils due to dirty power.

   That transformer in particular ***terrifies*** me. A 3000W transformer with a plastic casing is sketchy AF.

4. I am about to move and am leaving my beloved pavoni and profitec grinder behind. It sucks but honestly given counter space in Japanese kitchens the dreaded Nespresso is probably a more practical solution.

   If I decide to stay forever I’ll sell my gear through a friend who is minding it for me and buy 110v gear over there.

   Honestly, travel light and sell everything you can unless your employer is paying for a shipping container for you.

5. Those “sleek” models are toroidal transformers. I have a couple toroidal transformers that I used for my Japanese appliances back when I was living in the US. They work fine.

   If you’re coming from the US, note that the models you linked to are for 100V to 240V. Unfortunately it’s difficult to find 100V to 120V.

   Are you sure you have a 2.4kW espresso machine? Or are you adding up the espresso machine and kettles together? If the espresso machine is less than 2.0 kW, just give up the kettles and you’re good to go.