In Serious need of some help please !

Denise · Jun 14, 2018

Im in the uk and i bought a hoover F9149inc steam vac plus carpet cleaner off a seller in america not thinking that being in the uk the workings /plug etc would be different i contacted the seller who said ineeded a 100w stepdown converter ,so i paid 20 quid for one and it lasted about 10 seconds iv hadf it a month and cant use it because i havent got a clue what to buy for it powerful yet safely ,the back of the carpet cleaner says 12.A 120V 60HZ 12.0A
and on the engine it says
YDC-62-IAD
NINGBO DE CHANG ELECTRICAL
20170325 QC4
FUSE 15.A-250 V

sorry for including all these numbers their all probably useless but iv been in contact with so many people who can only advise i use a travel adapter and I dont really belive this can be the case
im so hopeful someone one here can give me some advice on what i can buy so i can use this
thanks in advance
Denise

Marvo · Jun 14, 2018

There's 2 problems, the US supply is a different voltage (110v=USA, 230v=UK) and it's a different frequency (60Hz=USA, 50Hz=UK).

You can get a power supply that will change the voltage from 230v to 110v but the difference in supply frequency may still destroy the motor in the Hoover.

If the stepdown supply you bought was destroyed it was probably because it was too small.

Is there no way you can return it to the seller for a refund? If you can that would be my best advice.

buzzlightyear · Jun 14, 2018

[ElectriciansForums.net] In Serious need of some help please !

answer ,waste of your monies .

Spoon · Jun 14, 2018

I'm going with @Marvo post above.
How much did you pay for the hoover?
Your best bet may be to either get your money back or just get a new one that works with the UK voltage.

buzzlightyear · Jun 14, 2018

it would cost the op more monies to send it back across the pond then the hoover that he has brought .

Des 56 · Jun 14, 2018

You could try a 230-110 site transformer,they are readily available ,at about 60 notes,theyare used in the construction industry to operate 110 volt machines

The frequency being lower over here,its 50Hz in the UK compared to your US 60Hz machine
This will have the effect of slowing the motor and increasing the current,it could damage the motor
The lower 110 voltage may though offset that above negative
Maybe find someone with a transformer and give it a try

Joshua James · Jun 14, 2018

At 12A you would need a 1500w step down tranformer. Something like this. (http://amzn.eu/hi3Un47) You may still have an issue with the frequency difference though.

littlespark · Jun 14, 2018

Does this machine have a UK equivalent on the market? Maybe you can source a motor designed to work in UK and have it replaced.
It will only be the motor, or could the electric switches be concerned about the different voltages and frequency?

SJD · Jun 15, 2018

A quick google search suggests this appliance retails for perhaps $150? Even if you could get it to work with a large 230 to 110V transformer, I'd say the cost and trouble not worth the bother, and I doubt it is worth the cost of shipping it back either. I'd just bin it, and look for a UK model.

Spoon · Jun 15, 2018

SJD said:
A quick google search suggests this appliance retails for perhaps $150?

I wonder how much the OP paid for his to get shipped over here? I did ask but I think he may have ran off..... I have that affect on people...

Taylortwocities · Jun 15, 2018

buzzlightyear said:
it would cost the op more monies to send it back across the pond then the hoover that he has brought .

Spoon said:
I think he may have ran off

???

Spoon · Jun 15, 2018

Taylortwocities said:
View attachment 42794

???

Who pinched my S...

littlespark · Jun 15, 2018

Its a steam cleaner/washer isn't it?
Its not just the differing voltages and frequency you need to worry about. These things only work with American water.

GeorgeCooke · Jun 15, 2018

Marvo said:
There's 2 problems, the US supply is a different voltage (110v=USA, 230v=UK) and it's a different frequency (60Hz=USA, 50Hz=UK).

The US uses 120v (not 110v ). That would be why the rating plate on the machine says 120v.

The UK is quoted (wrongly) at 230v but is actually 240v as it has been since nationalisation.