Our U.S. purchased microwave burned out in a relatively short time on Bonaire. Do people generally have trouble with microwaves on Bonaire due to power surges? Are there good quality microwaves sold on the island that will work with 125volts 50 cycles? If we use a transformer will this solve the problem or do people still have difficulties? Any help from locals will be appreciated.

I have two US origin microwaves both just plugged into grounded outlets. No transformers for them. They are very old.
I have other things in my home plugged into transformers or voltage regulators or surge protectors or even more than one of those. But my microwaves have done just fine for three years without any protection. My electrician told me they would be fine that way. Maybe that's because of the particular model, possibly designed for use in more than one country.
Just lucky I guess.
Sorry you've lost yours.
I've seen microwaves for sale at the Super Store. And I'm sure
you'll find them elsewhere as well. But those might well be US too.
Good luck!

Whatever electrical appliance with a motor you buy you should check at the back of the device the label giving the specifications. Best work models which are 110-250 V and 50/60 hz -- the transformers only help for the voltage but not for the hz ... export models normally are like that, our more expensive items of the kind .... I just have in my mind to buy a new model sewing machine from Singer ... if I buy a US model, the hz is wrong, if I buy a European model the voltage is wrong .... frustrating ! And Singer is not replying to e-mails for information of export models of this kind ! The cheap Singer machines you can buy on the island last about 12 to 18 months before the motor is dead ....

we bought our microwave at superstore (i think). it's still working but i know the voltage/hz can cause problems. also, the fact that power surges are not uncommon will have an effect too. we don't have a transformer on it but do have it plugged into a surge protector.

Thank you all for your responses. Perhaps the newer smarter control systems are more sensitive to power surges. That would explain why Tish's older models work fine. Is anybody using a 220v microwave (for export outside U.S.)? Pat, is yours a standard U.S. 110v/60hz?

nathalie, yes, i think it is...i forget the brand but it's a common one (panasonic or sanyo or something like that). another thing to remember (even tho it won't wreck the microwave) is that with 50hz the timer will run slow. we learned that when we made popcorn. if you set the timer for 5 minutes, it actually takes 6 minutes...and you can't use it as a clock either.

So, you mean the timer runs on "island time," appropriately poco poco. No problem, I run on that time in Bonaire also. Thanks again.

Given a choice, pick an appliance that works at 50 Hz over one of the correct voltage. A transformer will take care of the voltage difference; there is no economically viable answer to incorrect Hz.

Something else that was true in the past and likely still is: the voltage north of town will somewhat higher than down, say, in Belnem. Near Voz di Bonaire I measured about 135 volts and I believe Jake had high voltage in Hato. I suspect the surges are somewhat damped further south also.

Just the way the system was, at least. I don't know if Natalie lives near WEB and Tish away.

(Message edited by glenr on January 16, 2006)

Yes, I do live far from WEB, in Belnem near where Jake and Linda now live and also Brigitte.
One of my microwaves is also a broiler and oven. They were both manufactured in 1988. They are both intended for 120 volts, 60 Hz. Go figure!
I've been using them here for over three years with no problem whatever except of course that I need to set them for longer cooking times than in the US.
I believe Glen is correct about the effect of the distance from WEB.

Glen, it sounds as though distance from WEB may be a factor. Everyone who responded that they had no problem is in Belnem or Lighthouse Beach. We're in Hato. Our friend who moved to Bonaire (Santa Barbara)last year, said his U.S. microwave also stopped working after a week. So to solve this problem maybe I need a neighborhood specific survey. Susan Porter, are you reading? What about your microwave? Ah, the simple life in Paradise :-)

And Susan, did you have more problems after you moved north?
Great idea, Nathalie!

Nathalie,
I didn't notice as many surges downtown as I do in Hato. I have learned not to leave anything plugged in unless I am using it. Unplugging items can save you money over the long term on your WEB bill as TV's, microwaves and such draw power even when idle.
My microwave is an older model as well.

Distance from WEB certainly is a factor in surges. The transmission lines have a damping effect on surges, and the farther you are from the source, the less power there is in the surges. Base voltage is a little lower as well: I measure 128 at my outlets.

We use Galant brand microwave/convection ovens that we bought at DewPoint (Wimco ... the yellow building with all the appliance names across the street from Telbo). No problems of any kind, and since they run on 50 Hz 220 volt power, no need for transformers or frequency converters.

I also have a microwave at my house in Belnem that is only plugged into a surge protector. As Pat said, yes, the clock is always wrong and the timing is off. But it's 3 years old and working fine. It was only $50 from a K-Mart in the US.

Thanks all. It sounds like our problem was surge. So I'll buy a microwave (50HZ)on Bonaire and use a surge protector. I hate the idea of tossing our non-functioning barely used stainless microwave into the landfill. Anyone have an idea for re-use/recyling? Perhaps an artist would like to use it as part of a Totem Pole symbolizing our disposable civilization.

I have a stupid question. We always have to sleep with a box fan running for the noise. We were going to plug one in at the Divi at nights. Will it work? and yes we bring it with us. You ought to see people look at us at the airpots. They look at us and say, Doesn't your room have AC?

Hi Kent! I can't confirm 100% that it will work, but it should. My hair dryer, curling iron, and travel clothes steamer all work fine in Bonaire. Now...if there is a surge during the night, I have no idea. Maybe a local will respond.

I had to tell you though, I do understand. On more than one trip we have bought fans for "white noise" at night and have then left them at the location. You do what you have to do to enjoy your stay!

The reason we bring our own fan is when we went to Aruba for the first time, we said that we would just buy one there. When we got there Sat evening, all stores were closed. We said that we would buy one tomorrow. Sunday everything was closed. Monday the only fan was a $80 fan. We learned a big lesson and take a $12 box fan along with us. Maybe I need to bring a surge protecter?

Kent, we are apparently in the high surge zone and have no problems with fans, so I think you don't need to bother with a surge protector.

Thanks alot Nathalie. I won't bother to bring one.

My fan was only 30 FL at the Super store and I see a lot of em for 35 to 63FL here.

Nathalie,

I would suggest to get a 220V / 50Hz microwave, and use a simple voltage-step-up-transformer. if you go for just a microwave, without stove, you don't need a big transformer, as said earlier, correcting a voltage-difference is easy with a transformer, also the Belnem/Hato-difference can be taken care of, correcting the frequency is different and expensive.....

I use a 230V/50Hz microwave in Hato, on the 220V-circuit in my house. works perfect, I disconnect the power automatically after use.
Most houses have besides the 110V-circuit also a 220V-circuit (for the airco's) I don't know if that's the case in your house. but a transformer is easy to get.

Good luck!

BTW: there is life without microwaves, did you know?


Harrie

Harrie, George said the same thing about life being possible without microwaves! Ironic, two Mr. Gadgets scoffing at my desire for useful technology :-) As for 220, we may have one 220volt outlet in one bedroom which is not the likely place for the microwave.

I'd double check, Nathalie. So many Dutch appliances run on 220 that a kitchen here without 220 would really surprise me.

Anything with a motor will run hot (if you bring it from the US), like a fan or hair dryer, or blender because the cycles are different. Their life span is shorter for this reason. But someting like a curling iron won't burn out. I don't leave fans running when I'm not home.

Kevin, even a kitchen from 1966? But I'll check when I get there. Now that I know I can buy a microwave on the island I'll deal with this when I get there. We use a transformer on the fridge, but we didn't think we needed one on a microwave because they aren't run by a motor. Thanks for everyone's input.

Nathalie,

Sorry for the late answer,

Just as was in my house, there is normally in these old houses just one 220V-outlet (for AC), mostly in the main bedroom. So will be at your place too.

Still it is wise to buy a 220V/50Hz microwave, combined with a step-up-transformer, which will convert the 110V/50Hz up to 220V/50Hz, for the microwave, and possibly other 220V-appliances to come in your kitchen. No big deal I will help you with that. I am not sure if 220V/50Hz microwaves are normally for sale on Bonaire, but we will see. Don't buy a 110V/60Hz version, because, yes, there is a fan-motor in a microwave....

See you soon


Harrie

Harrie and Kevin,
Thanks for your microwave advice!
One of my 18-year-old microwaves finally died, so I have replaced it with a 50Hz/220V from Dewpoint. I live in one of the old inland North Belnem homes, always previously Dutch owned, so I have plenty of 220 outlets.
It works perfectly, and now I have a clock/timer that runs properly too.
Thanks!

Hi Tish,

So this was an easy deal for you with so many 220V outlets.

Still, I don't think your clock will run accurately, because our 50 cycles are not really 50 cycles, but 50 and a little bit. In Europe the cycles are automatically corrected when they had a deviation from the 50. Here they don't do that. Most clocks count the cycles, so if the clock in your microwave will do that too, you can have a deviation of about one hour in a month. For the cooking times that difference is of absolutely no importance, of course.
The only clocks that work here correct are the battery-powered ones, which get their signal from a built-in crystal. As long the battery lasts they are quite accurate. Another thing is that you don 't have to re-adjust the clocks when the power has been off, as happens here regularly. Unfortunately I don't believe that there are micro-waves with built-in battery-operated clocks available on Bonaire. I know there are some brands who do have that in some models, Miele for instance.

Have fun with the micro-wave!

Harrie

Thanks for the clock tip, Harrie! I'll keep an eye on the rascal.

Kent, we have battery operated sound machine that has 6 different sounds ie: waves, wind, brook/stream, white noise. It is only about 6X10 inches and so takes up very little space in our bags. Every place we have stayed on Bonaire has ceiling fans in all of the rooms along with AC in the bedrooms. This might be an option for you if you are only using the fan for the noise.