Help needed on step down converters

[relo2009]

Am moving to Singapore shortly and have a whole lot of brand new electronic items collection that I hate to leave behind. All this stuff works on 100V 50/60 Hz and ranges between 200-600 Watts.

How easy/safe is it to use step-down converters?

[Strong Eagle]

It's a seriously major pain in the ass. Transformers are heavy. They are ugly. They consume extra energy. They get hot. And if your stuff is truly only 110V, then it is also 60 Hz, not the 50 Hz you will find here which may or may not make a difference in performance.

What kind of stuff? Your TV would also need to be switchable to PAL. So much electronics these days is multi voltage and/or you swap out an external power supply.

[napalm]

i got this adjustable step-down converter at Challenger for $28. this one has high and low settings, so you can use on variable wattages.

though im not sure if its good for long term use as its made of plastic and is meant for travel use. i just use this occassionally for some of my things i bought from Japan/US

[jpatokal]

It's a seriously major pain in the ass. Transformers are heavy. They are ugly. They consume extra energy. They get hot.

For running 110V devices on 220V, it's possible to use step-down converters, which are a lot less bulky than "real" transformers -- but they're meant for occasionally used beefy machines that don't care about exact voltage (hair dryer, toaster, even power drill if you've got enough wattage), not continually used electronics with low tolerances (TV, hifi, etc).

So, yes, I agree with SE. Swap power supplies/cables where you can, and leave the rest at home.