tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post5996570676513130048..comments2023-10-19T13:54:12.979+02:00Comments on Life Lessons of a Military Wife (overseas in Europe!): Ask VMW: Which electronics to I take overseas (and ALL your electricity questions answered)****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****http://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-84784144212877121202011-04-05T09:27:03.522+02:002011-04-05T09:27:03.522+02:00The smaller the wattage of the transformer, the ch...The smaller the wattage of the transformer, the cheaper it will be across the board. A 300 watt transformer should be able to run a 110 volt TV with DVD player. If you plug in your stuff to a transformer and the fuse blows within the transformer, then you plugged too high a wattage items into it! Not enough juice! You can get replacement fuses at the PXetra from behind the counter.<br /><br />Cheapest place to get one is either from a person leaving (ask around at bfast if anyone has one to sell....that's how I found some stuff in the lodge), or the little white binder at the front desk w/people selling stuff...get on Facebook SHAPE Families (and check their For Sale Board)...or go to Grandma's Attic. The PX has them but they are much more than you want to pay. Good luck to you!****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****https://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-87340891790222269612011-04-05T08:24:57.498+02:002011-04-05T08:24:57.498+02:00What is the cheapest fastest way to get a transfor...What is the cheapest fastest way to get a transformer for use at the army lodge in Chievres?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-73069976214614792292011-03-18T22:31:31.294+01:002011-03-18T22:31:31.294+01:00To answer what we did...no right or wrong answer.....To answer what we did...no right or wrong answer...we knew we'd be in housing in Germany, so we left ALL our lawnstuff in storage to include lawnmower and weedwhacker, 110 expensive vacuum we never should've bought..mostly furniture beyond the basic floorplan stuff....we only have a courtyard with plants/trees, etc in Belgium so don't need our lawnstuff here either off post. I bought a brand new toaster cheap at mediamarkt.de, my favorite electronics store (I have a certain ick factor about others' toasters)...micro second hand from thrift shop (and sold cause our house has one here)...I'd say the cheaper appliances, just sell them...isn't worth it to put them in storage.<br /><br />Yes, it's a big warehouse and sometimes your things can get mixed up w/others...stuff is mostly roped off...but I've heard it happen second hand. Warehouse is at your last duty station...military contracted thru a civilian company...make sure you have insurance as sometimes there are these darn warehouse fires. We had one in Stuttgart not too long ago that destroyed many, many inbound and about to be outbound personnel...it was heart wrenching...luckily, we left a month before that happened.<br /><br />Make sure you read my moving articles, as I've got alot of tips along those lines too!<br /><br />Have an uneventful move!****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****https://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-10205822843475262302011-03-18T21:25:49.575+01:002011-03-18T21:25:49.575+01:00Thank you so much for your fast repy. If I underst...Thank you so much for your fast repy. If I understood correctly from your previous entries, long term storage is available for active duty soldiers going overseas at their last stateside duty station. (Like a big warehouse type, right?) I guess I am now debating, should I just try to sell what I can and use that money to buy new appliances in Germany or should I just put it in long term storage....hmmm... WHAT WOULD YOU DO?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-6887525536006697192011-03-18T20:16:57.127+01:002011-03-18T20:16:57.127+01:00Yes on the American coffeemaker and toaster (altho...Yes on the American coffeemaker and toaster (although you see TONS of 220 ones for sale from people leaving all the time). You can plug a 110 volt appliance into a 110 volt outlet, which you will only find in on-base housing (and some hotels have the electric razor 110 outlet in the bathroom). You probably won't find switches on appliances anymore from 110/220 volt...that was "old school"...they switch automatically if the appliance says up to 240 volts. Don't get me wrong...your mixer and alarm clock (and anything with a motor) that is 110 volt will STILL work plugged into a transformer, but because the cycles are off, your American electric alarm clock won't keep the correct time and your mixer could get potential long-term damage to its motor.****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****https://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-72129556394010621982011-03-18T20:13:22.533+01:002011-03-18T20:13:22.533+01:00Absolutely DO NOT take a washer/dryer with you! I...Absolutely DO NOT take a washer/dryer with you! If you are military,you will be issued one. If you are contractor/civilian, there are so many second hand ones...plus I don't know if the American ones will work over here...never checked the voltages, and I think they have different safety plugs over here too. I know someone who runs their American freezer on a transformer...just wait til they get their 1,000 euro overage bill for electricity at the end of the year...or more!****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****https://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-78682865752962983892011-03-18T13:15:29.371+01:002011-03-18T13:15:29.371+01:00What about my washer and dryer? Can I take those?What about my washer and dryer? Can I take those?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-18960821187809392192011-03-18T13:14:03.711+01:002011-03-18T13:14:03.711+01:00Just to make sure I understood it. My american cof...Just to make sure I understood it. My american coffee maker and toaster can go in the 110 volt outlets (if I live on post), no switch or transformer needed. Or do I still need to make sure it reads "up to 240 volts". Items that have 110/220 switch, I'll just switch and use a adapter plug to fit the round outlet. So, all my items that only take 110 i just have to use in "our" outlets and everything else I will just get an adapter switch for with the exception of an alarm clock and mixer, they do not work period. Is that correct? LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-23356009200978137402011-03-13T21:22:29.858+01:002011-03-13T21:22:29.858+01:00Naw...I think I saw you post on Edith's blog.....Naw...I think I saw you post on Edith's blog...what's in her head:-)) She also blogs about Belgium and takes great pics...or her hubby does!****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife****https://www.blogger.com/profile/14858503892858989499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-33577996489890184522011-03-13T20:02:38.637+01:002011-03-13T20:02:38.637+01:00Hi, you mentioned Edith ..you mean facebook ?Hi, you mentioned Edith ..you mean facebook ?This is Belgiumhttp://whatisbelgium.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-49501069869201169672011-03-13T00:22:48.534+01:002011-03-13T00:22:48.534+01:00If your electronics have an AC adapter (black box ...If your electronics have an AC adapter (black box that gets warm) attached to the power cord, that's the transformer. Pretty sure all laptop chargers have this box. Also, my printer has one too. All you need to do is get a plug adapter and you're good to go. <br /><br />And like you said before, all lamps need are a German light bulb and the plug adapter. <br /><br />Our FMO (furniture management office) gave us two transformer to borrow during our three years. Also, I've seen them for decent prices at the on-post thrift shop.MooAtU2https://www.blogger.com/profile/03420593916670340188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163679024619392733.post-329701816520749232011-03-12T13:07:07.694+01:002011-03-12T13:07:07.694+01:00Thank you for the information!Thank you for the information!Damselhttp://damselandfamily.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com