Simran 500 Watt 110v to 220v Step Up Down Voltage Converter Transformer with Built-in Power Regulator, AR-500

Vintage electronics usually only operate on either 110V (120V) or 220V (240V). I feel more confident using this regulator to power my vintage electronics with a consistent regulated voltage. Still, to avoid any potential accidents with the wrong voltage, I've labeled the vintage machine's AC/DC plugs just in case.Pro: This voltage regulator has a nice retro look-and-feel. Perfect to power vintage electronics. The voltage regulator is very quiet, but not completely silent, with an almost inaudible 60Hz hum. The instructions are translated to English with a few typos, which is alright. Just follow the steps described. Beware that the input voltage selector on the back of the unit must be set to the voltage supplied to the unit, which may not be entirely clear from the instructions.Cons, a minor one but may matter: The AC lead to the unit has a standard European grounded plug. A US-EU converter plug is supplied to power the converter from a US socket. This converter plug has no ground pin, which would have been much better to ensure the unit and output are properly grounded when powered from a grounded US AC socket.

It stabilized the voltage pretty exactly.. the issue with just transformers (step up / down) is that if the input voltage is slightly higher, the output voltage is too.. but here it doesn’t matter.. the output voltage is either 120V or 230V.. it also doesn’t matter, if the load is just a few Watt or the full range.. it stabilizes load independently..I really like it.. don’t waste money by buying just a step-up / step-down generator.. if the voltage is out of specific of your connected devices, they get damaged..So a clear buy!!

This is the second Simran voltage transformer I have purchased, the first being an AR-4000 model. I have used them both in the UK for almost 3 years now, and have ZERO issues. One of the nice features is there is an audible "click" sound when the voltage spikes, or drops, as well as being able to see the input voltage on the meter window...and it’s comforting to know that all my electronics are still getting the same even voltage they need, and their life isn’t being shortened by the ever changing voltages while traveling.I have only one cautionary note of interest. Since the transformer is quite heavy, and shipping is quite unpredictable…I would HIGHLY suggest that you take the cover off after pulling it out of the shipping boxes. Reason is to make sure none of the wire connections where worked loose during shipping as you may notice the transformer itself being a bit wobbly/loose. My first Simran AR-4000 had the ground wire completely disconnected from the screw it was under…just from the weight of the transformer moving back and forth during shipping (it’s quite heavy).

This device nearly destroyed our TV and other electronics. When I first plugged it in, I could feel electricity coming off the TV and Blu Ray player. It also blew a fuse when I tried to plug in a three prong 110 surge protector. Not sure if this is a design fault or someone at the factory messed up. The 110 outlet was not grounded correctly. I brought the device to a local electrician. The positive, negative, and ground wires were wired in the same positions on the 110 outlet as the 220 outlet. The electrician advised they are not supposed to be wired in the same places. Luckily electronics repair is cheap here, and after rewiring it is now working fine. The sellers were not helpful either. They just pointed to the policy that it was past the return window. We are a Foreign Service family and it takes two weeks just for stuff to get here. Luckily the TV is and blu ray are two prong and not three, so it didn't end up destroying it. Had it been a three prong device it would have blown it. Be sure to test this item if you buy it with a local electrician to make sure it is wired correctly, or at least test it with a three prong surge protector and a cheaper electronics device before plugging in anything else.

I have a few of these, across various wattage ranges (2 x 1,500w; 1 x 2,000w, and 2 x 5,000w). I've been using them all over the world (Georgia, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea) as a transformer / regulator for my Breville Dual Boiler espresso machine, AV equipment, computer equipment, and various kitchen appliances, and never had a problem. I currently live in a country with dirty and unstable 220v power, and these things handle it like a champ! One caveat - I try to keep the total wattage draw at 1/2 of the regulator's rating or less. I did connect a deep fryer once to the 5,000w transformer, and it worked fine (1,500w draw on the 2,000w).