Can I use a stepdown converter from 220V to 110-120V for a Japanese device with 100V, 460W?

Question

I have a Japanese rice-cooker which needs 100V, 460W. I am leaving in Greece where we use 220-240V. The problem is that I cannot find in the internet a stepdown converter from 220V to 100V and for 460W. Usually, I find for small devices like 5 W. However, there are a lot of stepdown converters from 220V to 120-110V for the US devices. Does anyone knows if there will be any consequences if I will use a converter with 110-120V instead a converter with 100V ? Thanks a lot.

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Hi, Technerd. Thanks for the tip. I checked again the rice cooker. It is made in China, but it says that it should be used in Japan only. A friend of mine bought it as a present from Japan. The details on the device are still 100V and 460W. For the mains in Japan I wasn't sure about it. Someone else told me as well that it is the same with the US. However, I found these converters from UK to Japanese and I got more confused (http://www.airlinktransformers.com/japanese-transformers.asp). You are right that they are expensive.

http://www.airlinktransformers.com/japanese-transformers.asp

Thank you Dusty

Yes Dwarf JA0501seems good for the job, since I would buy also an adaptor from UK to a Greece slot. But, I was thinking: why should I spend 42 pounds and not go for something much cheaper from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Star-Step-Transformer-TC500/dp/B000AY72DO/ref=dp_return_1/102-4060860-4815300?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics&qid=1193383588&sr=8-1 with 24.5 US dollars? I checked for the price of the rice cooker and the similar one in American-version costs 99 US dollars at Amazon.

Answer 1

The Japanese and US voltages are not the problem, as is the fact that it is a rice cooker (heat device) and so there is no real frequency problem going from 60 to 50 Hz. What you are looking for is a step-down device that is capable of at least 5 amps out put. There must be something in Greece that can do that because I know many of my friends that go there can use their hair dryers etc. and they draw 5 amps or more. The normal US wall outlet is generally fused for 15 amp service.

Answer 2

A 10% overload should not cause a problem. Are you sure it's 100V? Japanese mains is the same as the US - 115. A 500W transformer might cost you more than a new rice cooker though.

Answer 3

220v To 100v Converter

Answer 4

You could use model JA0501 500 watts. I doubt it is more expensive than your rice cooker?