Voltage transformer

@Dave & Ruby They are plentiful here. I bought one from Citi Hardware and ordered another one on Lazada. You just have to know the wattage of the 110 device you need to operate. The one I bought from Citi Hardware is 1,000 watts. I bought it to run the vacuum pump I use to evacuate the air conditioners I installed at my house. It works but is barely adequate. I have to let the compressor come up to speed before I start pumping down the air conditioner but then it works fine. The step down transformer was about $60 which was a lot cheaper than buying a new name brand two stage vacuum pump here in the Philippines. I brought a couple cheap step down transformers with me that I bought at Walmart and they didn't work and even caused damage to my Dewalt charger.

Can I purchase a step down voltage transformer from 220V down to 110V over in the Philippines? We are planning to bring some small kitchen appliances to the Philippines when we move.
-@Dave & Ruby

Forget the idea.

The cost of transporting the equipment and buying the transformers will likely be more than buying new appliences, and that's before you have to mess around with customs.

If any of the equipment invoves motors or heating/cooling, they will be a serious pain as you will need bigger transformers.

If the equipment fails, getting it repaired will probably be impossible.

@Dave & Ruby Yes. Make sure you get the right size. Some appliances like coffeemakers (anything that heats) draw a lot of power like 1000 watts and for that you need a large, heavy transformer. But many places in the Phils sell transformers and also regulators with 110v outlets.

@Dave & Ruby, absolutely! I did same. Good luck!

My experience, I brought my kitchen appliances with me. I had my kitchen wired to have both 220 volts and 110 volts with the outlets plainly marked. (coffee maker, toaster, rice cooker, microwave, kitchen aid mixer)

I also have a 110 outlet in the bedroom for my computer and printer.

Labor is cheap in the Philippines, in a matter of a few minutes an existing outlet can be rewired.

@Dave & Ruby

These are the two different styles that I'm aware of and I have 1 of each. The one on the left is a cheap and simple transformer. I bought that exact model for the guy who cuts my hair. He uses 110 volt clipper that he refuses to part with but his old transformer was acting up so I ordered the one on the left for him from Lazada. It costs almost P600. That style does get warm and usually only has one outlet but they are cheap and fool proof. I have a 500 watt Voltlook I use to charge my Dewalt tool batteries since I can not find a 220 volt Dewalt charger for lithium batteries anywhere in the Philippines. I have over $600 worth of Dewalt cordless power tools I use almost every day so the $30 converter saved me a bundle.

I have one similar to the model on the right also. I use it to power the subwoofer of my Definitive Technology 5.1 speaker system. It is a $500 sub woofer and the converter was about $60. I originally bought it to power my Robinair vacuum pump as mentioned above. These have a cooling fan and are much more expensive. The one in the photo is around P7,000. I bought a 1,000 watt model from Citi Hardware for a little more that P3,000 if I remember correctly.

Great post, was thinking how to handle this also. Dismayed that my 75 QLED TV will need a transformer and also kitchen appliances plus tool battery charges and also ebike charger. Going to look at 110V outlets also, with their own breaker ie two different circuits plus labels, in select locations

Great post, was thinking how to handle this also. Dismayed that my 75 QLED TV will need a transformer and also kitchen appliances plus tool battery charges and also ebike charger. Going to look at 110V outlets also, with their own breaker ie two different circuits plus labels, in select locations
-@Filamretire

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Better check with your Balikbayan shipper on your 75 QLED TV.

Prior to moving to the Philippines (five years ago) my shipper said the largest TV they could ship was 55 inches and it had to be in the original unopened box.

@Dave & Ruby
These are the two different styles that I'm aware of and I have 1 of each. The one on the left is a cheap and simple transformer. I bought that exact model for the guy who cuts my hair. He uses 110 volt clipper that he refuses to part with but his old transformer was acting up so I ordered the one on the left for him from Lazada. It costs almost P600. That style does get warm and usually only has one outlet but they are cheap and fool proof. I have a 500 watt Voltlook I use to charge my Dewalt tool batteries since I can not find a 220 volt Dewalt charger for lithium batteries anywhere in the Philippines. I have over $600 worth of Dewalt cordless power tools I use almost every day so the $30 converter saved me a bundle.

I have one similar to the model on the right also. I use it to power the subwoofer of my Definitive Technology 5.1 speaker system. It is a $500 sub woofer and the converter was about $60. I originally bought it to power my Robinair vacuum pump as mentioned above. These have a cooling fan and are much more expensive. The one in the photo is around P7,000. I bought a 1,000 watt model from Citi Hardware for a little more that P3,000 if I remember correctly.


-@Moon Dog

What's the difference in need from just a 220-110 converter? I bought two Foval brand units off Amazon and they work great. Two 110v plugs each. One plug has a 6 outlet extension with breaker. I have my laptop plugged into that, and my lithium battery charger for the power tools I shipped over via Atlas Express. One in bedroom for my phone charger and not much else really.

@Larry Fisher Re: "One plug has a 6 outlet extension with breaker. I have my laptop plugged into that", I used to work in that industry and every laptop AD/DC adapter I have ever seen is dual voltage, mainly because mfrs realize that they are often used for international travel. Check the voltage rating to see if it is rated 100-127/200-240 volts 50/60 Hz or something similar. The chargers for the tool batteries probably are not dual voltage and neither are TVs likely to be dual voltage but it doesn't hurt to check.

One of my phones charges at 45 watts so you can imagine how limited 150w is.

The big one claims 1kw.

A blender can take up to 700.

Forget anything with a heater or a microwave

One of my phones charges at 45 watts so you can imagine how limited 150w is.
The big one claims 1kw.
A blender can take up to 700.
Forget anything with a heater or a microwave
-@Fred

When we moved here, all of our appliances were loaded onto the container. I was able to purchase a 5 Kw transformer in Cebu but it wasn't cheap. But we have it around if we wish to occaisionally use a waffle iron, pizza maker etc.. Very heavy to lug around. The only use I would have for the 150 watt is Christmas lights. The 1kw might be good for the large coffee grinder. As for your phone, there is a good chance US model chargers will also work on 220v since mfrs realize that people take them on international trips so they generally use dual voltage switching power supplies and no transformer is needed (similar to laptops).

The one on the right is actually 1,500 watts and I don't know how they work but I'm guessing they will be more efficient? I only say that because the run cooler and cost a lot more. The 1,500 watt model pictured sells for P6,700 on Lazada.

A 4,000 watt model sells for P14,200 and has 3 prong outlets with grounding option which would be nice. The one I have only has 2 prong outlets so my vacuum pump gives me a good tingle if I touch any metal parts.

The white one on the left is just a transformer that has fewer turns of wire on the secondary side. Those are simple and fool proof but they do get warm so maybe not as efficient? I don't know, just guessing. They are great for low power consuming electronics but if you want something like a 750 watt model it will cost $70 or more and be very heavy.

I've never seen a laptop or cell phone charger that wasn't "100-240 volt" and auto switching. Even my electric shaver is 100-240 volts. In the US I had 5 desktop computers. One was a Dell and the power supply was 100-240 auto switching. Three out of the remaining 4 were home made and the power supplies were manual switching 110 or 220 volts. I sold the one that was 110 only. I could have just changed the power supply to a dual voltage model but I didn't need it. I did forget to change the voltage on one of them and when I powered it up there was pop and a lot of smoke. I changed the switch on the back to 220 and it is working to this day but I doubt if the 110 side would still work.

@Moon Dog "One was a Dell and the power supply was 100-240 auto switching."

I was at Lenovo before I retired. For desktops, they used autoswitching because the cost to replace the switch with an electronic doubler circuit in the rectifier was almost a wash.  Also, it kept warranty claims down and customer sat up when voltage mismatches occured due to user error. And sometimes when production line personnel changed, new workers would all too often set the wrong voltage for the wrong country causing unreworkable scrap. That also generated separate part numbers for countries based on voltage which also was a hassle.

@Enzyte Bob Thanks for the headsup, I intend to ship a 20' container so it will fit but would have to be packaged especially well I suppose

you probably need something like a SUPER CT-2500 AC-AC CONVERTER 2500 WATT. This thing is very heavy and will run everything (not sure about aircon). It goes back and forth from 220V to 100V/110V.

you probably need something like a SUPER CT-2500 AC-AC CONVERTER 2500 WATT. This thing is very heavy and will run everything (not sure about aircon). It goes back and forth from 220V to 100V/110V.
-@stuleer

That will do it, an AC/AC converter, not a transformer, and the price is right. If I ever need a new step down, I might order one. It should be able to handle an inverter aircon and actually may handle motor loads as well as a transformer. You say it is heavy but I believe a transformer that can handle 2.5KW would be heavier.

Thank you all for your help

@Dave & Ruby  You can get one, but I would not waist time with a low wattage one, I would start with a 2000 to 4000 watt one. that way you will have the capacity to run more than one item at a time from the one stepdown device.

@Dave & Ruby Personally I will be using at least some solar, depending on where I settle. If I do, I will run a 220 volt system with a stepdown for a few 110 volt items like my cordless drill driver. and possibly a couple other items. I like solar, that is all I have as an option where I am right now. I built my own system about 6 years ago here.

Why not just split the phase and use the 110VAC side for your 110VAC devices?

@Dave & Ruby You can get one, but I would not waist time with a low wattage one, I would start with a 2000 to 4000 watt one. that way you will have the capacity to run more than one item at a time from the one stepdown device.
-@goldken51

I did purchase a 5KW transformer at a hardware store in a mall in Cebu. I agree. We just leave it in the kitchen since that us whete most high wattage appliances are used.

Why not just split the phase and use the 110VAC side for your 110VAC devices?
-@mrlugubrious

That is what can be done in the US although it is agaibst code there to tap 120v out of a 208v or 240v junction. Where I live in dumaguete, we have  only 220v and neutral coming off the transformer and not 120 +120 + neutral. Having said that, in other locations in the Phils like Manila, I have heard that the service entrance "may" be wired like in the US and you can tap 120 right off of a 220v outlet...I believe this is what @bob enzyte and you are referring to. But in the provinces, all I see is straight two wire 220 + neutrall. Eventually I will be purchasing my own 25KVA transformer. My electrician says that we can tap 120v directly off the transformer and run it into the house.

Why not just split the phase and use the 110VAC side for your 110VAC devices?
-@mrlugubrious
That is what can be done in the US although it is agaibst code there to tap 120v out of a 208v or 240v junction. Where I live in dumaguete, we have only 220v and neutral coming off the transformer and not 120 +120 + neutral. Having said that, in other locations in the Phils like Manila, I have heard that the service entrance "may" be wired like in the US and you can tap 120 right off of a 220v outlet...I believe this is what @bob enzyte and you are referring to. But in the provinces, all I see is straight two wire 220 + neutrall. Eventually I will be purchasing my own 25KVA transformer. My electrician says that we can tap 120v directly off the transformer and run it into the house.
-@danfinn

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That's exactly what I'm doing. . . . .tapping 110 off the 220.

Why not just split the phase and use the 110VAC side for your 110VAC devices?
-@mrlugubrious

That is not possible where I live in the province. I only have single phase 220. There is only one insulated 220 volt power wire coming into the house. Nothing to split.

@Enzyte Bob I guess you can do that where you live. Where I live we do not have spit phase, only 1 phase coming into the service entrance.  Apparently there are two (or more) voltage diatribution systems in the country.

@Dave & Ruby Yes they are available here. Try Lazada. https://www.lazada.com.ph/

Breaker boxes in the US have two 120 volt bus bars that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other to make 240 volts. The 120 volt circuits come off either bus bar and the 240 volt circuits for clothes dryer, ranges, hot water heaters etc. use both bus bars. It is often referred to as 110 and 220 volts but I've always measured a little over 120 on each bus bar.

My panel box here in the Philippines has a single bus bar that alone measures 223-224 volts on my meter. If you have access to 110 volt power in your area that would solve a lot of problems if you have 110 volt appliances but making 220 volts from two 110 bus bars will only work for US 220 volt appliances, and the bus bars will have to be 180 degrees out of phase with each other to even work on said US 220 volt appliances.

If you are able to wire double pole 220 volt US style outlets in your house you don't want to plug any 220 volt device you bought in the Philippines into that outlet. If you're brave and want to give it a try have your Gopro set up because you could be a TikTok sensation. It may be a spectacular event.

@Moon Dog Yes, the two wire single phase residential service is rather standard here but sime expats in the Manila area ( contributors here) report that they have the US style split phase 220v so they can tap 120v from the service or even the outlet by simply connecting to one if the 110v 180 deg phases. My utility here, noreco2, does not provide such split phase distribution wiring. We are 220v phase and neutral only. I have a suspicion that the Manila areas that are split phase trace that origin to US military bases to support American equipment and American military families resident there. Many of us will spend an extra 60k php to purchase a 25 kva utility transformer. If you do, my electrican tells me that these models have both a 220 tap and a 110 tap meaning that you can wire the house with both voltages.

@danfinn I'm wondering how they run 220 volt single conductor Philippine appliances on 220 double pole (two conductor) outlets? It obviously can't be done so they must also have 220 single pole outlets for the Philippine appliances. It would work as long as each appliance has dedicated plugs that can only be inserted in the proper outlets.

.

The Youtuber "Happy and Retired in Philippines" has a big US style double pole 220 volt oven in his kitchen. We have a 220 volt oven but it is the smaller Philippine single pole 220 Electrolux oven.

@Moon Dog That is simple. Assuming you are talking about their usual 2 terminal receptacle-outlets, with the single phase 2 conductor system they connect phase to one terminal and neutral to the other. Normally phils does not use a ground conductor but you can install one. If you have a split phase voltage, you connect 110v phase to either side which adds to 220 since both are 180 out of phase. The neutral is not connected (or needed) when a 2 prong receptacle is used on split phase but it can be connected to one of the terminal of the outlet with one phase on the other terminal to give you a 110v outlet. We also have a full electric range here but the oven cavity is only about 90% of US size. It runs off of the two wire system using 220v + neutral rather than +120 + -120 phases but it could work with either configuration.

@danfinn I think you're right, it would be balanced so no neutral wire required but it would be risky from a safety perspective unless it was grounded.

You wouldn't be able to go the other way. That is running a US dryer or range on the single pole 220. The dryers I've worked on only use 220 for the heating element. The motor and timer is 110 so you would need the split current instead of the single 220 wire. Same with the range, only the heating elements are typically 220.

@Moon Dog There definately could be a safety issue, I agree. I just don't know how that 220v split phase system in parts of manila is implemented. In the US, you must have a three terminal outlet for 20A  240v and 208v and one of those is neutral which is connected to ground at the service entrance. They would never permit a 2 terminal 220v outlet there. Going only by hearsay and what I see here, I am assuming the Manila split phase 220v uses the same popular 2 terminal outlets that we have in our single phase system in Dumaguete. I might be wrong as I have never inspected a residence here wired split phase. As for grounding, our electrician here in Dumaguete checked with the Philippine electrical code (PEC) and grounding here is only optional using a 10 foot ground rod. (They do not permit you to ground neutral at the service entrance which is a requirement of US code, you just run ground as a separate wire to the ground terminal in the outlets if you have one). Receptacles with ground terminals are readily available here but most Filipinos don't use them. They stay with the two terminal outlets like the US used to have in residences in the 1950's.   They supposedly ground their neutral at the power transformer pole or someplace further down the line. Yes, if the US style appliance divides the phases in operation, it wouldn't work in my region.120 plus 120. I was able to purchase a US style dryer here, Westinghouse, (one that actually gets HOT at 5KW) for 50K php which of course has a heating element and motor and both parts must be rated 220v because it is installed in our single wire 220.