Japanese appliances in the US - converter recs

[Harvey]

Does anyone here use appliances purchased in Japan in the US regularly?

I'm wondering if there are recommendations on converters required to adjust the voltage.

Once I had a converter I used in Europe for Japanese appliances, but the converter literally melted. Since then I have come to think that all converters are not created equally.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[nice gaijin]

Japan and the US are not so different in this regard. Japanese plugs are mostly ungrounded and non-polarized, so you can use them in American outlets without issue for the most part (I have heard that certain appliances can act funny across the ocean due to the slight difference in voltage, but I haven't noticed any such problem with my appliances). You might need an adapter (note the difference between adapter and converter) to go the other way, as polarized or 3-prong plugs will not fit into most Japanese outlets.

 

[Numark]

the US runs on
120 Volt/60 hz,

and Japan runs on
100 Volt/60 or 50 hz

Things from the US running in Japan will charge a bit slower (in the case of things like ipods/laptops) or will run a bit slower (fans etc.)

I would assume the inverse is true for Japanese Devices in the U.S., which could be more problematic. I think the difference is close enough though, that most small things should be alright.

The difference in Hz may cause anything with a motor to burn out faster...

 

[Harvey]

I have fried Japan purchased devices in the past by running them from the 20 V higher US sockets without protection. I'm looking for a converter for sensitive devices such as those.

Anyone have any converter recommendations?

 

[DoctorP]

I have fried Japan purchased devices in the past by running them from the 20 V higher US sockets without protection. I'm looking for a converter for sensitive devices such as those.

Anyone have any converter recommendations?

You are looking for a Step down transformer. Go to your local electronics store and ask for one. They may not stock them, but you can order one. It will step the voltage down from 120V to 100V. IMO it is not necessary, unless you are working with very detailed electronics. If you are merely using a VCR, fan, rice cooker, etc...then you really won't need one.