What transformer should I use for USA Vacuums in the UK?

[hooverjedilord]

Hello! Like you people I LOVE vacuum cleaners, I'm 16 years old and I'm a collector with Aspergers syndrome, any way, I am particularly interested in american Vacuum cleaners especially the 1st generations of Kirby, specifically the DUAL SANITRONIC 80. I already own a Kirby 560, and I believe there is a problem with the safety switch, yet I digress, I am a saving up to buy a Kirby DS80 and I need to know what step down voltage transformer to purchase alongside the vacuum. What brand should I get? Is there a specific type especially suited to the use of US vacuums in the UK? Do any of you collectors use a transformer? Do any of you use an American Vacuum with a transformer as a "Daily Driver?" Do any of you have a spare transformer I could purchase of you in the future? I hope you can answer my questions.
Regards, Thomas Banks.

 

[hoover119dude]

Go to Maplins. There should be one near you. Just ask for a step down transformer.

Mine cost about £29.00. About the size of a brick. It has a fused plug as usual plus a 1 amp fuse next to switch for the extra safety. Anything electrical goes wrong with any cleaner you plug in it will blow the fuse before the fuse in the plug. That makes it safe as houses for any of your USA electricals. They also sell the 1 amp fuses there so I would buy a pack when you buy the transformer.

I know of this fuse as my Hoover 700 blew one when I first plugged it in. Was just a minor fault in the cord. I replaced it with a near original cord and now works fine.

If no Maplin near you maybe try ebay. I never thought to look there till just now.

 

[tazcatsdad]

Hi Thomas!

<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">While I'm 50 and don't have Asperger's, I find that I'm the exact opposite of you in that I'm a big fan of British and European vacuums!  I have several in my collection, many of which I use on a semi-regular basis.  They include:</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* 2 Hoover Turbopower Uprights (U2194 and U2332), a Junior Dirtsearcher 1354A, and a Senior Ranger whose model number escapes me (but it was the one in the first Shake 'n Vac commercial with Jenny Logan - google it if you're too young to remember that advert!) </span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* 2 Hitachi Uprights (can't remember what models, but one of them is a CV-50D, I think)</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* An LG "Nice 'N Lite" Upright model V-U5565NB</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* Several Electrolux uprights and cylinders, including my personal favorites the Excellio Z5245 and the PowerSystem Z1720</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* A Bosch GL-30 Cylinder</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">* A Dyson DC07 All Floors upright and DC11 Telescope cylinder (yes, I KNOW that Dysons are available here in the 'States - but believe it or not, it was actually CHEAPER for me to buy refurbished Dysons from your country and have them shipped here than to buy new ones over here!)</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">And that's only a partial list.  To power them, I have a LiteFuze "convertingbox" voltage converter that I bought on eBay.  I've attached some pictures of some of my machines.  Best of luck to you and your collection!</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Bill W.</span>