Transformers?

No - not the movie. Those things you plug in the wall that are supposed to magically change 220 current to 110. A simple concept, and I bought 3 transformers at Radio Shack in the US. The first, a cheapo, intermittent use job, that looked like it would work for garden variety, light duty stuff - curling irons, blow dryers, that sort of thing. Lasted 3 days. I plugged in my curling iron, left it on for a little too long and zzzt. Done. Fried. The curling iron, happily, survived the surge.

The second transformer was mislabeled at Radio Shack, and is actually for European appliances, thus rendering it useless to me. The third is hanging in there, but is rated for 85watts so it is not as versatile as I need. So, my dilemma of late was to find a transformer that is rated for at least 200 watts and will stick with me, through thick and thin, ups and downs, power surges and well - you get the picture. I needed a long term relationship. You may wonder why I feel like I need a transformer - 'just get new appliances,' you are probably saying. I am strangely - ahem - connected - to my curling iron, what with its resiliance, but mainly I need it to power up my printer and laptop, and for the computer that is on the way. This is higher wattage stuff, so I need a way better system than I have. No sweat, I figure...we all know where this stuff is made. It can't all be for export to the US!

It is. I have been through 3 additional transformers - since they all have fuses, I figured I was in the clear with my appliances. One was rated for 100 watts. I decided to toss my blow dryer under the bus - just in case the fuse didn't work. The fuse worked fine. The second was rated for 150 watts. Kapow. Appliance ok, fuse blown in a blaze of glory. The third, for 200 watts! Foolproof! Flash!

Today my big project is to head out again, and get the heavy duty, far too expensive 300 watter. My prediction is that by the time I am done with this little exercise, with the money I will have spent I could have easily purchased new laptop and desktop computers, and a new printer as well...