VCT VT-500J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts To 110V OR Vice Versa - 500 Watt

This little step-down box won't let you down. The build is high quality, with super tight outlets and a well-made metal case. It runs pretty quietly compared to the devices I plug into it. It's *really* heavy though, so be prepared. I've been using this transformer for nearly a year now, and it's worked no less than perfectly.

I recently purchased a Japanese "Slim" Sony Playstation 2 to play games never released in North America. The SCPH-7000x model of Playstation 2 comes with an external power supply which is multi-voltage (100V-240V) capable, but the newest model of "slim" PS2, the SCPH-9000x series, has an internal power supply set at 100V. Instead of risking a burnout of my new console, I purchased this step-down/step-up converter to safely reduce the voltage coming out of the wall. This transformer has a wattage capacity of 500W, which is more than enough to cover the 70W output of the PS2. So far in my testing, the voltage transformer runs quiet and cool, even after several hours of use. An external light lets you know that the unit is functioning properly, and should its internal fuse fail, it can be easily replaced. Overall, I highly recommend this piece for its heavy-duty metal build (it's heavy!) and affordability. (FYI, should you also be planning on importing a SCPH-9000x to North America, note that the console supports both 50Hz and 60Hz, with the latter being the North American standard. I had a hard time finding this information online, so I hope someone finds this tidbit useful.)

I bought this to charge some of my vintage japanese robots, and it works perfectly. everything was already preset to be used in the US so it was super easy to set up. only issue I had was that even with using my full body weight to plug the plug into the japanese socket on the transformer it wouldn't go in. I had to bend the prongs inside gently with a flathead and then it went in easily. definitely recommend though! overall it's hefty and nice quality.

The VCT VT-500J - Is perfect for use with my CostWay Mini washing machine, Rated at 110V AC At it's input. because, 119+ Volts over 110 is too much for the motor, and causes it to run, too hard, and too hot and too loud. This Transformer brings the voltage down to a more suitable voltage, allowing my washing machine to operate properly, because of this the motor will last much longer. Here in the US We run a voltage under 240 Volt AC, and a split circuit of under 120 Volts AC, at 60 Hz, but never down as far as 110. A lot of refrigerators and air conditioners are however, rated at 115-117 Volts AC. this exception is because of resistance of the load. I decided to change the outlet on the first Transformer I bought and wanted to show people my reason for the modification. See Pictures. VCT VT-500J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts To 120V OR Vice Versa - 500 Watt. About this item: * This continuous use transformer is capable of both up and down voltage conversions for Japan and USA electricity to enable use of Japanese products in USA and USA products in Japan. * 500 Watts is the maximum capacity of this transformer including the power surge. * It converts 120 volt USA power to 100 volt Japan power AND 100 volt to 120 volts (means it will convert the American power to Japanese power and also convert Japanese power to American). * Power ON/OFF Switch. Fuse protection for safety. * Remember to leave at least a 100% margin for power surges/spike when buying a transformer. For power tools, laser printers and heating appliances like Rice cookers, coffee makers, toasters, halogen or fluorescent bulbs you must leave a power spike margin of 4 times. Please Note: Kindly refer the User Manual before use. Product information: From the Manufacturer: This voltage transformer enables the use of Japanese products in USA or the use of american products in Japan. This transformer is capable of both up/down voltage conversions for Japan/USA. It Can be used in both 100 and 120 volt countries. This transformer will convert from 120 volt to 100 volt AND from 100 volt to 120 volts - Input: 100/120V and Output: 100/120V. This transformer is rated for 500 Watts max including power surge. This is a heavy duty for continuous use. There is a built in Power ON/OFF Switch and Fuse Protection.TRANSFORMER PURCHASE GUIDE: Remember to leave at least a 100% slack for the transformer, Heating appliances, laser printers and power tools spike when you turn them on. For these products you need to buy a transformer that is at least 3 times the items capacity. Product information: Technical Details: Brand.....................................VCT Manufacturer........................VCT Electronics Part Number..........................VT-500J Item Weight..........................4.85 pounds Product Dimensions............6x3x4 inches Item model number............VT-500J Color.......................................Black Power Source........................Corded Electric Voltage...................................120-100 Volts Wattage..................................500 watts Item Package Quantity........1 Plug Format...........................Type K ASIN.........................................B000PC4JL4 Date First Available:.............April 11, 2007 Country of Origin..................China UPC..........................................894076000862 Global Trade Id Number.. ...00894076000862

No doubt an electrician or an electrical engineer could go into detail about the importance of matching voltages to what a piece of equipment was designed to handle, but my armchair engineering research has led me to conclude that almost nothing short of an incandescent lightbulb uses electricity exactly as it comes out of the wall. Almost everything has a power supply that converts and regulates the power before it gets to the guts of whatever the appliance is and almost all of those power supplies expect and tolerate a pretty decent amount of variation. What am I driving at? I'm pretty sure devices like these are mostly unnecessary. I've used Japanese appliances designed for 100 volt plugging them right in to my 110 volt North American sockets and never had an issue. Electrical engineers will argue that the damage caused by this mismatch is cumulative and may take years to show up, so the fact that nothing has failed on me yet doesn't really mean anything. But it's hard to take them too seriously when almost every argument they make ends up sounding like "electricity is bad and you should never use it". So why did I buy this thing? Peace of mind. I bought a piece of vintage AV equipment from Japan that was expensive and would be difficult to replace, so I prefer not to take any chances by applying unexpected stress to the device. This device has solid construction and seems to function very well.

For someone who uses Japanese videogame consoles, small computers and in my case the XRGB Mini Framemeister this device is simply perfect. What this device does is convert United States 120 Volts 60hz AC to Japanese 100 Volts 60hz AC with a 500 watt maximum or if your in Japan, the opposite 100 Volts 60hz AC 120 Volts 60hz AC. The unit is a little heavy box with a slight audible hum which is to be expected since it's a transformer. It feels well constructed and both outlets on the front are nice and tight to ensure your electronics stay plugged in. I did test both outlets with a multimeter to ensure proper voltage in which it passed with the Japanese side showing around 101.2 Volts 60hz AC being transformed from 118.2 60hz AC, from my APC H15 Power Conditioner. Note that both outlets are live on the front meaning one could theoretically plug American and Japanese devices in at the same time but I personally wouldn't recommend it to extend the life of the unit. I played a full game of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 through my XRGB mini for about two hours and the unit is only lightly warm to the touch which is wonderful. The unit does have an on/off power switch on the back if you want to turn off the unit when not using a particular device along with a red LED to indicate the unit is powered, a five amp fuse and the unit comes with two extra fuses just in case. The default voltage setting switch is set to transform 120 Volts 60hz AC to 100 Volts 60hz AC. This can be switched if one were to ever to travel to Japan with American electronics. You would have to buy a three to two prong adapter to use the three prong receptacle thou being Japan uses two pronged outlets predominately. Even thou some electronic devices in Japan have a voltage tolerance that could work with 120 Volts 60hz AC, if they are designed to work only with 100 Volts 60hz AC they have to work harder transforming twenty extra volts to usually DC and that means more heat and a shorter life for the power electronics. So to be on the safe side, this device is perfect for anyone who wants to ensure their Japanese electronics will last a long life.

My family and I just moved to the states from Japan and we brought some Japanese toilet sets with us. The Panasonic model I picked out has a max draw of 460W, and is designed for Japanese power. While the toilet seat worked just fine hooked up to the US power outlet (which is controlled by a light switch, which wasn't on for extended periods), I didn't want to risk using the heated seat or heated water options. Once I got this product, I plugged it in, and have continued to use the toilet seat without issues. (I am still not using the heated seat due to the weather, but the heated water works without problem.) Honestly, I just have to assume it works, since my toilet seat also worked plugged into the wall...but it's supporting the <500W device I plugged into it, so until it breaks, the seat breaks or some other issue arises, I'll give this high marks for doing everything I expected it to do.

This unit did it's job and if it breaks down after longterm use, I will update this review. However, this unit did not come useable straight out of the box. The plug of my appliance could did not fit into this unit's japanese outlet without having to take a screwdriver and pushing in the thin metal within the converter outlet so that the plug could actually slot in properly. No matter how hard you pushed the plug in, it still would not fit unless I used the screwdriver to put the small metal pieces. It was not a matter of not having the right plug from the appliance side. This shouldn't be the case. It should really come already to use without having the user modify it in any capacity.