is it worth buying the things over here in a sale like microwave oven and other items, or is it bets to buy over there,
Just thinking on stuff for xmas rather then cash or something they dont want
is it worth buying the things over here in a sale like microwave oven and other items, or is it bets to buy over there,
Just thinking on stuff for xmas rather then cash or something they dont want
Your ok to send electrical items from here to Philippines, everything will work, apart from TV's DVD players and the like because the connections and signals are different but FM & am radio's are perfectly ok and the likes of hair dryers, microwaves and all other appliances are good.
cheers michael,
Hi steve thanks for asking this question as we plan on sending electrical items also
AN HAPPY WIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE
Solely in terms of voltage there's usually no major problem for many items.
Plenty of people have sent electrical items to Phils without issues.
But, in terms of domestic appliances there is some caution needed that you should be aware of.
UK electricty supply is 240V@50Hz (technically specified at 230 V +10% /- 6%).
Philippine electricity supply is 220V@60Hz (sorry no idea on the technical spec )
Problems might crop up due these differences in frequency.
When the required power is low, say for example less than 50 Watts, then it's virtually a plug and play scenario.
There's also plenty of domestic equipment and 'gadgets' such as computers, chargers for phones and camera's etc that are actually designed to work safely with a range of input voltages and frequencies.
When this is the case it will almost certainly be indicated somewher on the equipment, transformer or the adapter.
It's interesting to see by simple calculation:-
{ [(60Hz – 50 Hz)/ 50 Hz] * 100 = 20 % }
That clearly shows that plenty of appliances/equipment will run 20% faster than their normal rated capability.
This situation may not always be safe, especially if insulation, windings and electronic circuits burn-out.
There's also quite a large range of equipment these days that have some or other form of electronic timer or micro-processor control system in-built
These devices will, at best, run 20% faster than they are designed for. This may or may not be a problem, but it certainly makes electronic alarm clocks pointless.
You'll also need to develop new recipes and cooking times for your electric breadmaker or microwave
Some larger items (eg washing machines etc) may well work without major issues for a time and others will very soon not work at all. Depends on the motor configuration and internal wiring.
All 'motor-driven' appliances are going run 20% faster and produce an equivalent increase in heat output. Period.
My advice would be to seriously consider the likelihood of problems, the age of the equipment and cost of shipping versus the cost of buying new in Philippines.
Always double-check. Not only for the protection of the equipment but also for the safety of home and body.
Lots of domestic electronics will be able to automatically adapt to operate on either 50Hz or 60Hz frequency, but there are still plenty that won't.
Newish TV's are more likely to automatically adapt than older ones, if it doesn't, the different frequency is going to impact the refresh rate and picture quality. Many newish TV's also have built in capability to switch from PAL to NTSC, but not all. Do your research, ask the manufacturer and discover how the 'switch' works if it's not included in the set-up menu.
Do not be fooled into thinking it's all OK based on solely on anecdotal evidence. The calculation shows you what you need to know. Period.
Finally, read the instructions and technical specification
Very useful info Peter!
Don't forget the huge tax charge when sending electrical goods to the Philippines.....
I never paid any tax when I fill up my balikbayan boxes with goodies.Originally Posted by cheekee
If you want your dreams to come true ...... first you have to wake up
#I never paid any tax when I fill up my balikbayan boxes with goodies.
Oh Ok. maybe just with DHL then.
I have sent loads of electrical stuff to the Phils in my balikbayan boxes...but only because I already owned it and wouldn't need to buy again.
Other than that, I wouldn't bother, as you can buy whatever you need out there at roughly the same prices.
As Peter has said, anything which has a clock or timer on it will not keep time correctly. If it's just a little bedside clock/radio or summat, no worries. It's not going to explode. ..well, mine didn't.
What I was grateful to have, were all the British quality extension leads, my tools, and other DIY bits and pieces...quality steel ('Spur') shelving brackets etc.
Bring some taps as well. The ones out there are eitherquality, or expensive for imported ones. You'll soon get good at replacing tap washers on the local plumbing.
Local electrics ?...well, scary !
3 weeks ago we bought a 650 volt jack hammer from Cebu (AEG)..
The motor was screwed after 2 hours work because of the power spikes..
Fortunately,I got them to replace the unit under guarantee..
We asked the power company for advice and they say they are going to give us 230 volt supply for a temporary power connection for our construction project..
They also advised us to use number 10 wire for the extension lead which is connected to 2000 volt, voltage regulator..
Its a lot of hassle and expense but necessary before we use the new machine..
Family in the UK sent me a second hand fly mow from the UK which I used for 2 years on the local supply.. Works fine but dont use it anymore since they sent me a 4 stroke machine..
I`d recommend anyone coming over with a lot of grass to cut to put one of these (quality second hand) in a BB box as they are expensive here.
All of the power tools sent to me from the UK have been working fine for 5 years.. That said,Makita`s cheaper version of power tools MACTEK work fine and are as good as anything found in the UK for the same price IMO..
I have also been advised to purchase a large enough voltage regulator and have it connected before the consumer box.. That way you get steady 220 and added protection from brown outs etc.
Good advice....regarding the mower Fred.
I wish I'd bunged my strimmer in the box too, instead of selling it in the car boot sale for a fiver.
We have sent many electrical items over the years, the main problem has been the lack of earths on some of the older kit, double insulated items are no problem ( look for the two squares, one inside the other, on the item)
The new types of TV 's LCD LED will work without problems, In fact I have a 32" LCD tv ready to send in our next box, got it given free as its not digital, so no good here but out in the Philippines it will be fine!
So is it PAL (UK) or NTSC (Philippines) ?
Will find out, the first one we sent our nephew decided it was his and pawned it ! I would think they would only pay if it worked! Most people use the tv conected to a satalite type box which have HDMI conections.
When I was in Cebu for a year I bought a hair clipper from the UK it never worked in Cebu.
NTSC is standard in Phils, but I believe most modern digital TVs will be ok for both that and PAL, especially when connected through cable.
looking at peters #5
im thinking my makita sds drill will work ok and a makita angle grinder, both good machines,with heaps of drill bits and diamond cutter blades,
both are 240 volt 50-60 hz,
what you think?
No problem there Stewart since they can operate at both frequencies
All the power tools and electrical appliances I took with me from England worked fine there
cool thanks peter , thanks graham
a few less items to sell off here, hope i can get a strong balak box
Standard balik boxes are pretty robust. I had no problems with anything in mine (6 big ones).
No weight limit, so you can really pack stuff in, wrapping pointy or delicate things with clothing and in our case...curtains and fabrics.
I covered the entire boxes with sticky brown wrapping tape....and I mean every square inch.
Massively increased strength with that, and of course waterproofing if done properly.
just one of my tool boxes i can hardly lift, which in a large box thered be room for 3 more,
what do they do? bring a fork lift
yeah i was wondering if i could make a plywood insert box round a wood frame
Use a voltage regulator, critical for air con and computers. we use one for our ref and freezer.
Yeah, make a ply box if you want. Some of my balik boxes weighedjust one of my tool boxes i can hardly lift, which in a large box thered be room for 3 more,
what do they do? bring a fork lift
yeah i was wondering if i could make a plywood insert box round a wood frame
100kgs. No worries...easily lifted by two people. Pack stuff within stuff.
all that tape did you leave room for the address labelYeah, make a ply box if you want. Some of my balik boxes weighed
100kgs. No worries...easily lifted by two people. Pack stuff within stuff.
Yes....clear plastic tape over those.
I sent all my household power tools over to Phils in a Jumbo BB box with LBC. I reinforced the sides with 3mm ply from B&Q which they cut to size for me. It made the box really strong and I filled it to the brim with tools. I was also able to get the 'banding' machine from my work (back then) and banded it all around to make it extra strong and then taped over the bands and top and bottom. All arrived safely.
If you want your dreams to come true ...... first you have to wake up
Marvelous invention Balikbayan Boxes
Love 'em
All good tips on how to secure, strengthen and waterproof
Just be careful on that weight, many carriers have tightened up on limits. Might be a good idea to double check first.
Haven't had a pick-up with 2 people for years.
Last week we had a pick and the guy told me he'd just refused one. Said it was almost full with tinned foods and he couldn't move it so left it.
I've also sent a few lined with plywood. Great stiffener.
Some outfits will actually custom-build one for you (at a charge).
maybe split the heavy stuff between boxes, a mix of lite and heavy in each,Marvelous invention Balikbayan Boxes
Love 'em
All good tips on how to secure, strengthen and waterproof
Just be careful on that weight, many carriers have tightened up on limits. Might be a good idea to double check first.
Haven't had a pick-up with 2 people for years.
Last week we had a pick and the guy told me he'd just refused one. Said it was almost full with tinned foods and he couldn't move it so left it.
I've also sent a few lined with plywood. Great stiffener.
Some outfits will actually custom-build one for you (at a charge).
also smaller boxes are easier to lift than jumbo if loaded with heavy stuffs
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