Take everything - Take nothing

[selchie]

Originally Posted by Glenda

BTW, you Americans don't realise how spoilt you have been ... in the UK most houses have fridges much smaller and tucked under the worktop!!!

Although I know we're spoiled, I never quite know how much until I learn of an example. Karin would need some extreme food-shopping retraining if we had a tiny fridge. Not that I'd mind her learning to buy only what she needs for a few days! Fortunately the house we're in won't allow a gigandous American fridge, or she'd probably want it to fill with all kinds of culinary stuff.

[Ace]

We thinned out a lot, and still ended up bringing two full 40-foot containers of stuff -- with a third one on the way.

Don't forget that NZ uses 240 volts, so a lot of electronics from the States won't work here without a transformer (though I was surprised that a lot of recently-purchased computer gear works fine here without one). Even with everything we brought, I wouldn't waste the time and effort on kitchenware, washer/dryer, etc. Between paying the movers and the shipping company to move the stuff, the risk of damage in transit, possible voltage mismatches, getting things to fit and finding someone to fix them if they break, I think you're better off to sell before you leave and use the proceeds to buy new or used when you arrive.

If you're considering using a transformer, keep in mind that they tend to be large and expensive -- a 650 watt version at Dick Smith electronics (not the cheapest store) was around NZ$250. You could buy a nice used refrig for that much.

[KiwiHopeful]

I'm hoping to put together a US to NZ electronics guide sometime soon, based on my experience getting all my gear set up, but the short version is:

1. Buy your transformers before you come to NZ! I bought mine here: Heavy Duty Step UP and Down Voltage Transformers Thankfully, I initially thought I'd just buy 2, then decided to go for 4. I spent less on all 4 than I would have for just one here.

To figure out which size transformer you need remember this: Volts*Amps=Watts. It's easy to find the information on your gear--look underneath or near the plug.

One huge mistake I made was not checking the vacuum cleaner we brought with us. Rather than ensuring I had a big enough transformer, I just assumed. So I now have a $1000 NZ-bought Dyson and a $2000 US-bought door prop.

2. Check your gear to see if says 'Input 100-240 v 50-60 Hz'. If so, then those items need only an adapter or a new plug. Adapters here cost about $10 each. New plugs for computers, laptops, and monitors are about $12.

3. Adapters, Converters, and Transformers are not the same thing. An adapter just changes the end of the plug. A converter is good for low-power, short use items, like an electric razor, and transformers are the workhorses that can power lots of gear and run for hours on end.

Obviously, there's more to it, which I'll put together soon.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by KiwiHopeful

1. Buy your transformers before you come to NZ! I bought mine here: Heavy Duty Step UP and Down Voltage Transformers Thankfully, I initially thought I'd just buy 2, then decided to go for 4. I spent less on all 4 than I would have for just one here.

I bought a half dozen or so transformers from the same place. Most of them are still on the last container, but I brought one with me on the plane (the "Style D"). Unfortunately, it has already burnt out. I'm not sure if I just got a bad one, or what, but I probably won't use that particular outfit again, even though their prices are very appealing.

I do agree that you should buy transformers before you come, if there's any chance you'll need one. I personally wouldn't try to make it work for things like a vacuum cleaner, though -- hauling a 20-pound transformer around behind you doesn't sound like fun. Also, the transformers convert only the voltage, not the frequency. Most of the time that isn't a problem, but some motors designed to work on 60 Hz don't work very well at NZ's 50 Hz. We have a blender, for example, that gets insanely loud on 50 Hz.

The other thing about using transformers for motor-driven items is that you should size the transformer to be at least twice and ideally three or more times as many watts as the motor needs. Motors use a burst of power on start-up, and you can easily overload the transformer if it's not large enough.

[KiwiHopeful]

Excellent point, Ace, about the transformers. I certainly recommend checking out the FAQ's from the seller.

Sorry to hear that your transformer died. I've got my fingers crossed that I don't have similar difficulties, since it will be so costly to replace them. FWIW, I went with the type A. I figured cheaper = less complex = less likely to malfunction.

One note about my post above: I bought my replacement plugs at Dick Smith, but saw them for under $10 at Stationary Warehouse today.

[Glenda]

Originally Posted by Ace

We thinned out a lot, and still ended up bringing two full 40-foot containers of stuff -- with a third one on the way.

I'll whisper this .... are you by any chance royalty?

[Welshgirl]

And, more importantly, do you have a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge house to put all this stuff in??

By the way, welcome to the forum Ace - you've made some very interesting and informative posts on here already, so just wanted to let you know we've noticed and say thank you!

[Ace]

Originally Posted by Glenda

I'll whisper this .... are you by any chance royalty?

Yes! Royal Collectors of Junk. My wife and I and one of our two sons are die-hard pack-rats. It's definitely in the genes; my parents are the same way. When I said we thinned out a lot, I wasn't kidding. We took at least 20 or 30 pickup trucks full of stuff to the Goodwill before we left, plus a bunch more to the dump. In all fairness, the third container is almost entirely stuff from my wife's mother's estate.

I'm starting to feel like we'll need a long-term reservation at the local weekend market to get the amount of stuff down to a manageable level....

Originally Posted by Welshgirl

And, more importantly, do you have a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge house to put all this stuff in??

By the way, welcome to the forum Ace - you've made some very interesting and informative posts on here already, so just wanted to let you know we've noticed and say thank you!

Finding a big enough house was definitely a big challenge for us, believe me. NZ homes are fairly small by California standards, and the home we needed would be considered large even back there. We still ended up renting a storage unit, where our monthly costs will exceed the value of what we're storing in probably just a few months. Not ideal, but hey, we're managing.

Glad to hear my posts are useful. I came to this site originally before we moved, and just re-discovered it. I love NZ, and love to talk with others who are considering the move.

[out0266]

I'm heading to NZ in a month and wanted to buy an iMac (Apple computer) from the states before I come, as they are a lot cheaper than in NZ. Can anyone tell me whether they will work ok in NZ without the need for a transformer? I realise I will have to buy an adapter.
Thanks in advance

[KiwiHopeful]

According to this page, it should work fine:

Apple - iMac - Tech Specs

Electrical and environmental requirements

* Energy Star Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
* Line voltage: 100-240V AC
* Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
* Maximum continuous power: 200W (20-inch models); 280W (24-inch model)
* Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
* Storage temperature: -40° to 185° F (-40° to 85° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum altitude: 10,000 feet

All you will need is a plug adapter. You may even be able to find a new power cord for it in NZ so you won't even need that.
<on edit> I searched the NZ Apple website and couldn't find a replacement power cord. :( Of course, you may be able to find a 3rd party one someplace.