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using USA tools and appliances in Chile

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badbanterer
  1/27/2019 21:57 EST

I would like to bring tools with me to South Americ. They run on 220V @ 50 hz. I am in the US which runs on 110V @60 Hz. Can anyone tell me if there would be any problems using a step down transformer to go from 220 to 110? The resulting output would be 110 @ 50 hz.

Is anyone using their US tools down there? If so, how?

Thanks,
Jorge

Becerra65
  1/28/2019 11:49 EST

We built a house with US tools using a step down/up. All work great. Also brought our sub zero refrigerator and it is plugged into a transformer and works great.

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badbanterer
  2/1/2019 18:55 EST

I spoke to two different people at Festool and both said that it would "damage" the tool.

I have done some research on some electronic forums and they say that if it is a "universal" motor, then it is only concerned with the voltage and not the frequency.

Are any of your husband's tools Festool? I have some Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita but I have had my eye on some Festool but don't want to spend the money on them if I will be ruining them in the long run.


Thanks,
Jorge

Auguste
  2/1/2019 23:54 EST

A universal motor is any that uses brushes. They will even run on DC.

FAIRCLOUGH
  2/2/2019 17:38 EST

Jorge:
If the tool has carbons it is OK. If it has an induction motor, it will work but overheat, so it mayor may not last. I have both and so far they all keep working.

badbanterer
  2/2/2019 20:02 EST

By carbons do you mean “brushes”?

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Auguste
  2/2/2019 22:05 EST

I'm not the one who posted "carbons", but yes they are the same as brushes (which are made of a graphite mixture - "carbon"). Some call them carbons. Any motor with brushes doesn't need a particular frequency. They will run find on DC even.

badbanterer
  2/3/2019 07:56 EST

I was afraid of that, most if not all Festool are brushless.

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