SIMRAN Step Down Transformer THG-500 - Transformer - AC 220/230 V - 500 Watt

Got this to plug in a 110v ultraviolet bulb in my AC cabinet. It works well and was easy to connect to both the AC line and the ultraviolet fixture.

Ordered this to power kitchen appliances in my home in Thailand that I shipped from the US. Hum's a little but nothing that I would say is a problem, I have it next to my fridge, and that for sure drown's out any hum the transformer makes.As in other reviews, this a serious heavy duty unit, not designed for your average vacation traveller, little weighty, so for for packing in your suitcase to power vacation shavers, curling irons etc, so this ain't the one for you

It’s a basic step down auto transformer, with no frills, but so far so good. We have a vacation home in Spain, and I wanted an fairly robust step down transformer to use with some of my US voltage power tools and appliances that we brought over. I recently used it for the first time for running a large 110-volt electric slow roaster (1800 watts max) to slow cook a leg of lamb for about 5 hours. I connected it outside in our covered barbecue area, and it seemed to work just fine. It did have a noticeable hum (which is an artifact of the auto transformer design), it did run a bit hot, and after being on continuously for 5+ hours the body of the transformer was hot to the touch - not dangerously hot, but warm enough that I wouldn’t want to leave it plugged in inside my house unattended.I’m a bit more electrically savvy than the common consumer, and I know there’s often truth in the saying “you get what you pay for.” The facts: this unit is mass produced in China, it’s very reasonably priced (1/5 the price of other similar US made step down transformers), and although it’s marked with “CE” labeling as certified for use by the European Union, I’m a bit suspicious if this unit would pass a legitimate CE certification inspection.For my initial use it worked fine. I bought the 3kW unit and it’s heavy (over 30 lbs). I actually took this to Spain before Christmas in my carry-on bag since I wanted to use it to cook our Christmas dinner. I managed to get through 2 TSA screenings and customs inspection in Madrid. They ran it through the x-ray machine a few extra times since it appears as a void (it’s a chunk of iron, after all).I wouldn’t recommend doing this more than once since it’s a beast to lift into an overhead airline storage bin.I gave the unit 4 stars only because of some damage presumably suffered in shipping from the manufacturer. One of the end bell covers, the one with the the US style outlets, was dented in due to contact with something in transit. I didn’t have time to return it for replacement so I just kept it. As in other reviews there are indications that the 110-volt outlet will fail (it’s already loose and coming off.) I plan to open the unit and replace flimsy duplex outlet with a quality US-certified grounded outlet.

If all you need is the step-down function, don't bother with the much bigger step-up/step-down boxes. I bought 2 much larger units with step-up functions before moving overseas and both broke within the first year. I've had this now for 2 years now and it works great.

Needed a 10kW transformer to amplify the voltage for my 4.2kW plasma cutter from a 110V supply, and this thing looked like a perfect solution. It's advertised as "continuous" and "heavy duty" BUT after barely working a couple of months, for no longer than 2-3 hours a day, it at one point went happily down in a puff of smoke and loads of burnt wiring inside it. When I opened it up I discovered a mess:1) There is NO fan inside it -- a fan is found in most cheap welding sets these days, one'd expect the Indians or the Chinese who assembled it to install one, but nope, no luck. So all the "cooling" is passive.2) The insulation on wires around the core is plain THIN. Cheap stuff. Another measure to cut production costs down and reduce size. At the expense of performance and safety of course.3) Everything appears crammed and even the few bits that didn't catch FIRE are oxidized.After contacting the Seller which when I bough the transformer went under the name of VCT ELECTRONICS, and asked for a refund or a replacement, I was told that it was my fault for burning the transformer, and wrongly quoted that "heating elements require 3x capacity". A 4.2kW plasma cutter has no heating elements inside it, and works by means of an electrical arc. So I was much and well under the 10kW range (had at least 5.8kW allowance, DUH...). They utterly refused to change or refund it.I would NOT RECOMMEND this transformer nor this Seller. Save yourself a few hundred bucks and buy something quality, with a fan and proper insulation, and from a REPUTABLE seller.Cheers.

Purchase for a hot water pump and didn’t want to run an electrical line I added an extra ground wire. 220 to 110v works great I was afraid It would be under sized the pump had no amp rating motor was one fifth hp.

I am an Officer on a cruise ship and needed a transformer for continuous use in my cabin to run my USA appliances such as small refrigerator . First unit arrived and was damaged during shipping. The unit was hit in the only place I believe could have been damaged, the fuse holder. Amazon immediately sent out a replacement unit and it works perfectly. Completely silent and more than enough to handle refrigerator, clock and electric toothbrush I have plugged in.