Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Converter for my sewing machine and serger  (Read 3990 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 84

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Nov 2010
  • Location: London
Converter for my sewing machine and serger
« on: February 24, 2011, 11:30:58 AM »
I just got my shipment from the US. Yay! It was like Christmas in February. :)  I bought a step down converter from a hardware store here in London. I was wary about plugging my $1500 serger into it first so I tried my iron. The converter started to smoke and now it won't work at all. I bought another converter from Curry's. It says it's for 100-120v but not to plug in an appliance that's more than 60v? This is all confusing to me and I don't want my serger or sewing machine to blow up next. I can't run my business without them. :/

Anyway, I've attached images of the stickers on the back of my machines. Can anyone help me with what type converter I should use on them?

Thanks!


Applied for spousal settlement visa online: 25th Oct
Biometrics: 26th Oct
Apps Sent via FedEx to NY (Priority service): 27th Oct
Visa Arrived at NY consulate: 1st Nov
Email confirmation of UK Visa app opened: 1st Nov
Request for more documents: 16th Nov


  • *
  • Posts: 1813

    • Fehr Trade
  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: Sep 2007
  • Location: London
Re: Converter for my sewing machine and serger
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2011, 01:35:39 PM »
I've got my US sewing machine running through a voltage converter at home, and have done so for about 7 years now (my serger and coverstitch are UK models though). What's important here is the watts your transformer can handle vs what your machines are using. When I first went through this, I had just a little one from RadioShack that melted down, too. I then went and bought the much bigger and heavier one I have now (I think it cost me about £60?) and it's worked great since day one.

So I'll have a look at mine tonight, but two important questions are:
1. Can you look in your manuals and figure out how many watts they each consume?
2. Will you be running both at the same time? (or will you do what I do and switch back and forth between them so you've really only ever got the power draw of one plus the other's lightbulb...)
Summer 97 - first visited friends in London
99-00 - studied at Uni of Sussex on exchange
Feb 02 - moved to London on BUNAC
Sep 02 - WP granted (IT skills shortage list)
Sep 04 - WP renewed
Sep 06 - WP renewed again (screwed by 4-5 year ILR change)
Sep 07 - ILR!
March 09 - Citizenship!
July 09 - bone marrow transplant :(
18 Sep 10 - wedding!
Mar 12 - half marathon in Paris! 1:47:12!
Oct 12 - Amsterdam FULL marathon! 3:48:23!


  • *
  • Posts: 1813

    • Fehr Trade
  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: Sep 2007
  • Location: London
Re: Converter for my sewing machine and serger
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2011, 10:37:37 PM »
Ok I'm at home so I just checked out my setup for you - my converter is 300w. My serger (bernina 800DL) says it's 105w on the silver sticker like the one you posted. Unless you've got a super consumptive sewing machine and you're running both machines at once, a 300w converter should do you, too. Or if you're only running one at a time, it definitely should!

Hope this helps!
Summer 97 - first visited friends in London
99-00 - studied at Uni of Sussex on exchange
Feb 02 - moved to London on BUNAC
Sep 02 - WP granted (IT skills shortage list)
Sep 04 - WP renewed
Sep 06 - WP renewed again (screwed by 4-5 year ILR change)
Sep 07 - ILR!
March 09 - Citizenship!
July 09 - bone marrow transplant :(
18 Sep 10 - wedding!
Mar 12 - half marathon in Paris! 1:47:12!
Oct 12 - Amsterdam FULL marathon! 3:48:23!


  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 13328

  • Officially a Brit.
  • Liked: 2
  • Joined: Mar 2004
  • Location: Maryland
Re: Converter for my sewing machine and serger
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2011, 05:53:19 AM »
Yes, you need watts info and then you should speak to these people:

http://www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk/

Do not buy anything from a high street shop. You need heavy duty.
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. ~ John Lennon


  • *
  • Posts: 159

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Feb 2011
Re: Converter for my sewing machine and serger
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2011, 10:36:18 AM »
Yes, you need watts info and then you should speak to these people:

http://www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk/

Do not buy anything from a high street shop. You need heavy duty.

Most definitely...I use an industrial one for my sewing machine.  10 yrs and running-still working just fine.   ;)


Sponsored Links