Ship it to New Zealand or sell it in the US and buy another there?

[Sea Turtle]

Would it be easy to find a reasonable used Beseler 45 MXT in New Zealand? I have a Beseler 45MXT with stand and accessories and I'm moving from the US to New Zealand. The electrical system there is 220V 50 Hz and the US power is 120V and 60Hz. ANy advise on whether it be wiser to keep the equipment and convert it in NZ or to sell it here and replace it in NZ? Obviously that will depend upon several things such as selling price here, the cost to convert, the availability of something similar in NZ and price. I've been told there are Kiwi forum members and they might have some useful opinions to offer.

 

[Sean]

Hey, most of my equipment is US based and I run it through a stepdown transformer (I think that is the name of it). It all runs great and the device set me back about 250NZ. I run my safelights, fans, and dry mount press through it. If you don't need a dry mount press then you can get a much cheaper model. So what part of NZ are you moving to?

 

[Sea Turtle]

Hamilton.

Thanks. Do you know the rating on your transformer? I checked Dick Smith when I was there in November and they wanted something like $400 for a 1500 watt stepdown transformer (if my memory isn't totally scrambled by wraping up this move) but I suppose I probably don't need something that big. Do you have a Beseler? I was especially curious whether the difference between 50 Hz and 60 Hz matters to the little motor that raises and lowers the head. If it only make it run a little slower, that probably wouldn't matter.

 

[jeroldharter]

I spent 8 months in New Zealand several years ago. I would take the enlarger with me. The basic cost of living there is a bit less than the US but the cost of equipment can be much higher. Availability and shipping could be problems. If you are working, don't forget that half of your income will evaporate in taxes.

 

[Sean]

Hey, here is mine, but I bought it over a year ago and don't remember it costing that much. Unless you are using a heat press you shouldn't need a 1000W model.
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/439c9a96071016b22742c0a87f990721/Product/View/M1154

Also check http://www.trademe.co.nz and if you find something buy it and send it to me and I can hold it for you..

 

[Sea Turtle]

Thank you, Sean. It looks as if shipping it may be the way to go.

 

[claytume]

Sea Turtle

darkroom gear is selling for next to nothing now if you can find what you want. Like Sean says check out Trade Me for deals. If you're bringing over a full container load it may be best to bring what you have and are familiar with.

Clayton

 

[Sean]

I think I shipped a half pallet of stuff from the US to NZ for 700US, not cheap. You can find some real steals on trademe. I always search on the phrase "darkroom"

 

[nick mulder]

A lot of darkroom gear turns up regularly on trademe.co.nz for very good prices ... but its a bit of a wait asd see for the larger format stuff - the market for MF and 35mm is much more active

 

[Bob F.]

One possible option is if site equipment uses 110V in NZ as it often does here in the UK. 3KW sealed transformers designed for site equipment are a cheap way of getting the necessary step down to 110V from 240V - though you will need to replace the moulded power socket with a more suitable one. Example: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea...ansformer&x=0&y=0&n=&pn=1&pd=1&pi=1&cn=1&cd=1


Cheers, Bob.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Dead Link Removed
That's the one I'm looking at. I don't know what the exchange rate is between NZ and the US.

I'm also thinking of building a battery bank with a sine wave battery inverter so I can use some stuff away from an outlet.

 

[Imke]

Hey Sea Turtle,
trade you some sitting room on your pallet for an Omega color head?
Never been to New Zealand, but itching to go.
Cheers and good luck with your move,
Imke

 

[gregrudd]

One possible option is if site equipment uses 110V in NZ as it often does here in the UK. 3KW sealed transformers designed for site equipment are a cheap way of getting the necessary step down to 110V from 240V - though you will need to replace the moulded power socket with a more suitable one. Example: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea...ansformer&x=0&y=0&n=&pn=1&pd=1&pi=1&cn=1&cd=1


Cheers, Bob.

As for electrical standards NZ from what I can gather are pretty much the same as in Australia. As you will note that most properly made 120v transformers in NZ will have the Australian 120v outlet plug on them (looks the same as the AU/NZ 240v plug but with a round earth pin). As an aside I picked up a Besler 45mx from my work (a large University) in almost near mint condition for A$50 with rodenstock glass and what they did was use custom made 10A 240v to 110v transformer (weighs about 5 kg) and changed all the plugs over to the Australian type which was no doubt done for legal reasons to meet Australian standards. Plus a volt slider which I assume was used for voltage regulation purposes to maintain constant light intensity. My question is has anyone here used a voltage regulator on their enlargers? As a whole I viewed that the volt slider and the transformer was worth what I paid for the enlarger alone as they can be useful items.