what should i buy to use north american construction tools in Europe?

Question

i heard it is called inverter.i can not find it in the internet.maybe someone has got an internet address of any shop.i need more information about it.is it safe for tools to use it with inverter in Europe?i want to buy tools here because it is much cheaper.

i wanna buy grinder and a mixer.now I'm in Canada then going to Poland.

Answer 1

See end for "short story answer".

Background: Everyone, everywhere uses 12-volt DC in cars.

Europeans and most Asian countries use line-voltage ("the mains" in the UK) of 220-volt, 50-cycle.

The USA, Canada, Mexico, some histrorically American-centric countries and a very few others use 120-volt, 60 cycle.

Some "switching power supplies" found on digital cameras, computer power supplies, batteries charges and SOME cordless tool chargers have a range of input voltages, 100-240 volts AC, 50-60 cycles. YOU WANT THIS KIND OF DEVICE. Then all you need is the physical adaptors that makes the various size of plugs fit in different countries. Travel stores and catalogs have the adaptors. About $20 for a set.

Look closely on the device, it will always state the voltage and frequency (or allowed range). Some things (like hair dryers) have a switch (120-220 volts) and it you have have it set wrong it will heat very little in the USA or burn out in about 0.6 seconds in Europe.

You can find more of those switchable devices in stores that cater to Asian ex-patriots. Like progammers working in the USA from India. The west end of University Avenue in Berkeley has the highest density of such stores I know of, but Seattle (all those Microsoft programmers) and NYC must have many options, too.

If you have a 120-volt, 60-cycle only tool? Here are your options:

1) Bring a 120-volt generator with you (I don't recommend that).

2) Bring an invertor that converts 12-volts DC to 120-volt AC. You can find these at auto-parts stores, eletronics stores and catalogs. At 100- to 250-watts, they aren't expensive. So battery chargers are doable. But to run shop tools (drill press, table saw, etc) you need more than 1000 watts, sometimes more than 2000 watts (check the sizing guidance carefully). And those puppies are hundreds of dollars. And you're tied to a 12-volt source. Either a car (which aren't parked so close by in Europe) or a lead-acid battery (50 pounds) and a European charger. If you buy an invertor in the USA, it will convert to 120-volts, 60-cycle. If you buy one in Europe, it will output 220-volt, 50-cycle.

3) Bring a transformer. There are little ones (50-watt, 100-watt) sold in travel stores, but you need one that will handle several tools at once AND the starting amps of any induction motors ( a big discussion in itself). It will cut Euro-voltages in half but leave the 50-cycle unchanged. So your tools will spin at 5/6 the speed. So a drill that did 4000 rpm in the USA will do 3300 rpm in Europe. That's actually okay. Most of the tools and motors they use are spinning slower than when used in the USA, so you won't be behind the curve there. Just a bit woozier than you're used to in North America. But a 2000-watt transformer isn't a cheap or light thing. I guessing about 25 pounds and $200. And you'd have to bring it where ever you wanted to use your tools.

Short story: If you can go cordless, get a system with a switchable (120 and 220-volt) charger. If you're using corded tools, look for ones with 120/220 switchable motors. Then you just need to adapt or change the plugs. I wouldn't bother with the invertors or transformers. It isn't just cost and bother at the start, you'll be mucking with them whenever you use your tools.

Answer 2

An invertor runs AC power equipment off of 12 VDC, like from a vehicle.
What you probably want is a 2:1 transformer which will take 220 down to 110. A large transformer will cost about $100-150 and be rated at 1500-2000 watts.
What you don't want is a switching power supply, which won't like abrupt load at all.
Go here
http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/

Answer 3

you should bring batteries,generator,power supplies for more details about these products visit http://www.erniestools.com/