Using a washer and dryer in Europe (Apologies if this isn't the right place)

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theccentric

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Hello. I am going to be moving overseas to Europe, where the voltage is 220 - 240 @ 50Hz, and am planning on taking the washer and dryer with me. I'm trying to figure out if these appliances will work if I purchase a heavy-duty, continuous-use step up/down voltage converter rated for 8 - 10K Watts. From what I understood, the dryer outlets here in the U.S. achieve 240v by running two hot 120v lines to the outlet, but I'm not sure. The other thing I wasn't sure of is whether or not these voltage converters / regulators also modify the frequency based on the need of the device that is consuming the electricity, since I read that running a 60Hz device at 50Hz would potentially ruin it.

Any help is appreciated, and again, my sincerest apologies if I am asking in the wrong place.
 
I don't get it. What's so great about your present washer and dryer that you would want to go through the trouble and expense of taking them with you and trying to make them work instead of just buying comparable machines there?

-Hal
 
Unless you have some vintage high performance top load (which will cover you if looking for a 25 minute cycle) ditch them and use what ever is common over seas. You wallet will thank you considering that European washers and dryers use a fraction of the energy compared to typical US washers and dryers.

Also, the transformer will be massive- 7.5kva to 10kva minimum.


Further, the dryer motor will tumble at a slower speed, effecting dry performance. The clothes are tumbled at a speed which will keep them at such a point that maximum airflow takes place. To slow or to fast means wrinkling and longer dry times. The washer if top-load will agitate slower and spin slower, meaning even more water left in the clothes after spin. Timer will run slower to if eletrmechanical, though I see that as less of an issue.


Detergents may not work as well since they are formulated for washers that start with a cold fill and gradually heat the water over a long period of time as typical with most Euro washers.


Good idea to also reduce the voltage to 100-110 volts instead of 120 to prevent motor saturation and over heating.

All in all a new set will benefit you many times over.
 
Because dryers & cooking equipment made for the US market mostly require 120/240V 60hz, the only sensible solution is to sell them & buy appliances made for the local market, not going to gain anything keeping them. This question about using American appliances overseas has been asked many times before on a lot of forums & just not worth the hassle.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I agree. I would not go thru the trouble either. What happens if you need service work done on them.
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Not if they need service, when they need service.;)

Cost of shipping them over there is also another reason to not do it. If I were moving (can't say across the country since I am about right in the middle) to either coast I probably wouldn't even take such appliances nor much furniture with me, only things that maybe have been in family for long time or had other special meaning. Sell them and get new ones when you get there.
 
A US-spec dryer only powers the heating element from line-to-line; everything else is powered from one line to the neutral (which is why they will work on 120/208, albeit with reduced heating), so will not work on straight 240(250) volts at all.

A washer might work with a step-down transformer, but, even with the above-mentioned caveats, the timer will not function accurately, and will run at 5/6 normal speed, if at all. I agree with abandoning the attempt and just replacing them.
 
LarryFine said:
A US-spec dryer only powers the heating element from line-to-line; everything else is powered from one line to the neutral (which is why they will work on 120/208, albeit with reduced heating), so will not work on straight 240(250) volts at all.

A washer might work with a step-down transformer, but, even with the above-mentioned caveats, the timer will not function accurately, and will run at 5/6 normal speed, if at all. I agree with abandoning the attempt and just replacing them.
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True for synchronous motor driven timer, might not matter for electronic timer.
 
You would be the only one (just about) using a clothes dryer over there. Those high end washers also work as dryers by so called condensation drying.

This machine spins the load at high speed and then unloaded half dry. They hang their laundry in collapsible laundry rack inside their flat (apartment).

In the Baltic region (Norway, Netherlands and others) where sauna is common, they hang their clothes in the sauna while the room is still hot.

In small villages in the Mediterranean, they use clothesline with pulleys.

So, like others had said, organize a yard sale. . .get rid of your US appliances and buy European machines using garage sale proceeds.
 
theccentric said:
Hello. I am going to be moving overseas to Europe, where the voltage is 220 - 240 @ 50Hz, and am planning on taking the washer and dryer with me. I'm trying to figure out if these appliances will work if I purchase a heavy-duty, continuous-use step up/down voltage converter rated for 8 - 10K Watts. From what I understood, the dryer outlets here in the U.S. achieve 240v by running two hot 120v lines to the outlet, but I'm not sure. The other thing I wasn't sure of is whether or not these voltage converters / regulators also modify the frequency based on the need of the device that is consuming the electricity, since I read that running a 60Hz device at 50Hz would potentially ruin it.

Any help is appreciated, and again, my sincerest apologies if I am asking in the wrong place.
Click to expand...
I'm with the others here. I'm from Europe, UK, and my dear wife if from Georgia. It really isn't worth the cost and hassle of shipping the appliances and trying to make them work on supplies they are not designed for.
 
Thanks to everyone for your quick responses. I had already done the research and was 99.999% certain that it would not work considering the fact that a 10K watt regulator does not have a variable frequency output anyway, but the wife really loved the washer and dryer. Anyway, I'm ditching em and will just buy them there since they are designed for use in Europe and will be covered by a warranty.

Logic always wins....most of the time.


Thanks again!
 
theccentric said:
Thanks to everyone for your quick responses. I had already done the research and was 99.999% certain that it would not work considering the fact that a 10K watt regulator does not have a variable frequency output anyway, but the wife really loved the washer and dryer. Anyway, I'm ditching em and will just buy them there since they are designed for use in Europe and will be covered by a warranty.

Logic always wins....most of the time.


Thanks again!
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Good!
And if you needed more to bolster your case there are a couple of other things I didn't mention. The size and shape. In UK and possibly elsewhere, washing machines are designed to fit under a kitchen worktop so that limits the height. And they can only be front loading.
Then there is the plumbing, It's metric of course.

These are just things you might want to consider if you and your dear wife are planning to take anything else.
Mostly electronic gadgets are rated for various voltages and frequencies. Your phone, tablet, laptop etc but you might have to subscribe to a different network. Forget power stuff.
Our family from GA came over from GA for a holiday last month. USB connections to our computers gave them charging. They could access the wibbly wobbly web but had no phone coverage. But forget

Which part of Europe are you going to if I may be so bold as to ask?
 
I had already done the research and was 99.999% certain that it would not work considering the fact that a 10K watt regulator does not have a variable frequency output...
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Changing the voltage is the technically easy part (forgetting expense). There is no easy or economical way to change the frequency, especially for appliances that large.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Changing the voltage is the technically easy part (forgetting expense). There is no easy or economical way to change the frequency, especially for appliances that large.

-Hal
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Would you need to?
The heating element doesn't care about frequency. The motor is most likely variable speed. Space, dimensions and plumbing could be more of a concern.
 
Besoeker said:
Would you need to?
The heating element doesn't care about frequency. The motor is most likely variable speed. Space, dimensions and plumbing could be more of a concern.
Click to expand...

US dryers use single speed line frequency centrifugal start motors


inglisnewstyle-diagram.JPG
 
theccentric said:
Thanks to everyone for your quick responses. I had already done the research and was 99.999% certain that it would not work considering the fact that a 10K watt regulator does not have a variable frequency output anyway, but the wife really loved the washer and dryer. Anyway, I'm ditching em and will just buy them there since they are designed for use in Europe and will be covered by a warranty.

Logic always wins....most of the time.


Thanks again!
Click to expand...

There ya go!!!
 
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