Thread: Help wanted with a US tool purchase.

One other tidbit that I forgot to share, and may save you some time:

Last year we got a 1000w transformer drop shipped from Dick Smith Electronics, a Digitor brand unit. The person who bought this for us had four others dropped as well, and they were all damaged in shipping.

Digitor packages their 10-12 kg transformers in the cheapest crap cardboard (Thanks Dick Pratt!!) boxes imagine able. No foam, no protection whatsoever, but two inches of sliding room! Of course every one of them was caved in one way or another.

I finally went down to the local Dick Smith's to replace it and found the one unit out of six in stock undamaged.

So here's my unsolicited tip: Shop in person, and inspect the merchandise before you leave the store.

Greg

Hi folks, In post #12, I mentioned that Woodcraft were offering a drill and driver combo pack for US$299. As others commented, this is 1 drill, 1 driver, 2 batteries, and one charger in a fabric bag.

In the end I upgraded and purchased a standard drill kit and a impact driver kit as well. This was $90 more but gives me each item with dual batteries, charger and carry case, so is worth the extra money to me.

Freight quoted for the pair as a single package was US$116 for FedEx Int. Priority (1-2 working days trackable) or US$106 for FedEx Int. Economy (4-5 working days trackable). I opted for the slower 4-5 rate. Shipping weights is about 11kg total for the pair.

Goodies should arrive within a week and works out at about AU$550 for the pair on my doorstep. Luckily, being an electronics type I already have 240/110 step down transformers that can handle the charger if needed, but I am also considering buying a cheap 110V inverter for off site charginging if needed.

Batteries are 18V x 3AH =54WH capacity. For charging allow 80% battery charge efficiency and 80% charger conversion efficiency, and charging within 15 minutes the charger needs 110V power at about 60/15 x 54/(0.8 x 0.8)W or 340W. For anyone considering this type of purchase, you will need a step down transformer rated at 450 - 500 VA to run the charger from, unless it does prove to be capable of 240V and 110V operation.

Alternatively, 45 minute chargers are also available, and would cut the transformer requirements to about 150 VA.

Originally Posted by gregoryq

You will either have to buy a charger or a voltage converter transformer. It may be that the charger is universal voltage, as many are, but you won't know until you get it.

There are transformers on eBay constantly...or you can pay retail at Dick Smith's or or other electronics retailer.

If you don't have a mate over there, you can try some services like shopusa.com which are a mail forwarding service to allow you to shop at 'USA only' businesses like a local. Haven't used them, but have heard from people who have with great results. No affiliation, etc.

Only my experience... I've never had good experience with electronic devices that needed a step down transformer. All the ones I brought from canada are dead or dont' function correctly. I can only assume that things aren't the same and the micro electronics couldn't take the difference.

Hi guys, sorry have been away for a week or so. There was an airfreight fee of around US$81 so my total cost came to AU$305. Not bad, less than half the price of a store here in Australia! That free introductory shipping thing must have been for domestic US customers, not sure.

I should have it any day now, so looking forward to it. Will keep you posted when it arrives re: charger etc.

Well it has arrived. It's a great tool!

I will need to get an adaptor for our power system but overall it's a corker of a deal!

Are you talking like an adapter for the plug or will it need a transformer as well

I'm not 100%. I was going to take it to a hardware store/bunnings and ask them.

Originally Posted by ComboSquare

I'm not 100%. I was going to take it to a hardware store/bunnings and ask them.

Wherabouts in Melbourne are you? I can tell you where to go if in right area.

I wouldn't be going to a hardware store especially not Bunnings, they are not qualified for that sort of advice.

Can you take a picture of the Plate or sticker that shows the voltage and Hz.

Should be something like 110-230V~75W 50-60Hz Sec.: 7.2-18V for example

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Wherabouts in Melbourne are you? I can tell you where to go if in right area.

I wouldn't be going to a hardware store especially not Bunnings, they are not qualified for that sort of advice.

Can you take a picture of the Plate or sticker that shows the voltage and Hz.

Should be something like 110-230V~75W 50-60Hz Sec.: 7.2-18V for example

Thanks Djs, I'm in Albert Park/South Melbourne. I don't have my digicam on me at the moment, however I broke out the manual and it says

Input: A.C 120v 50-60 HZ
Output: D.C 7.2v-18v

Does that help?

You will definitely need a transformer to run the charger

Thanks I pm'd Malb about it so will follow it up with him.

Well I went into the city today to a place called Radio World in Spencer St, and bought myself a 250volt transformer for $79.

So my total tool purchase came to AU$384.

That's a saving of AU$250 overall. Very happy!

Originally Posted by ComboSquare

Well I went into the city today to a place called Radio World in Spencer St, and bought myself a 250volt transformer for $79.

So my total tool purchase came to AU$384.

That's a saving of AU$250 overall. Very happy!

You need a 240 to 110 Volt stepdown transformer, with a power rating of maybe 250VA or higher, depending on what's branded on the charger for power consumption.

I am guessing that you went to Radio Parts in in Spencer St and bought a 250 VA 240 to 110 Volt stepdown transformer. Their online catalogue price matches what what you paid, and they are one of the places I suggested. I'm just not sure about the power level yet as I am waiting for my bundle to arrive, and the info you posted earlier didn't include the input power required.

Main point of confusion is that Woodcraft claim that the kits include a 15min charger and Makita suggest that they contain a 45min charger. My previous guestimates about power are for 15minute charge, for a 45 minute charge, the transformer rating would be about 1/3rd, or maybe 150 VA.

Hope all is well, and your happy with your system. I would however suggest that you stay close to the transformer and charger for the first couple of charge cycles, and check every 5 minutes for heat buildup, jusst in case.

For those considering buying from the USA, I just bought a Makita LXT700 combo kit from a store there, the total cost including tax was about AUS$785. The US DC18RA charger is DEFINITELY 120V only, however it will work on 50 or 60Hz so a stepdown transformer is all needed. The charger is rated at 240W input.