Simran THG-3000 3000 watt Step Down Transformer Voltage Power Converter, Black

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

I've been using this for a couple of months and it hasn't skipped a beat! It has an audible hum as compared to my 1000w step down from the same manufacturer but that's to be expected.

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.

Durable! We love it

...not to mention an expensive lesson. After being plugged in about an hour with no load (nothing plugged in), the 3000W transformer became too hot to touch. Ordered a replacement not knowing what it would cost to return the defective one. The cost to return the defective one was $76.00 from my APO address and Amazon will only reimburse $3.99 of the shipping. So, if the replacement transformer isn't defective, I'm only out of pocket double the original price. DO NOT ORDER ONE OF THESE IF YOU LIVE OVERSEAS because the cost of returning it is outrageous.

It does a great job for now

you will need this if you needed for a 220 outlet worked for about a year, then the plug where you would plug in your 110 broke. I suggest you get this as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATWXYPG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

very good transformer exelente.