Franzus TSM-1875CK International 1875 Watt Converter/Adapter Set

by Travel Smart

Product Features

• Converts 220V foreign electricity to 110V
• Convenient high/low wattage selector switch
• Comes with convenient travel pouch
• Includes 5 polarized adapter plugs for use in most foreign countries

Product Description

Franzus International Converter/Adapter Set is for use overseas with 110 voltage products. .

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 7.4 x 7.8 inches ; 13.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0010BNV7M
• UPC: 039052820724
• Item model number: TS1875CK
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,897 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Learn the truth about this "Converter" and don't get burned, February 27, 2009

By 

NLee the Engineer (Nashua, NH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Franzus TSM-1875CK International 1875 Watt Converter/Adapter Set (Electronics)

The product description of this item (Franzus TSM-1875CK International Converter/Adapter Set) is highly misleading. It says: "Converts 220V foreign electricity to 110V for use overseas on most U.S. appliances rated 0-1875 watts". But the fact is, it can only convert 220V to 110V at LOW setting, which works up to merely 25 Watts.

This product is actually two different converters built into one package. At LOW setting, it uses a small AC transformer to convert 220V sinusoidal waveform into a 110V sinusoidal waveform. This is the preferred approach which works well for any low-power electronic appliance.

To handle higher power, the AC transformer must be made bulkier and heavier (around 20 pounds just for 1000W). This makes it impractical as a travel voltage converter for large-wattage appliance. Therefore at HIGH setting (26-1875W), this converter simply uses a solid-state switch inside to chop off part of the input 220V sinusoidal waveform. This is exactly how an incandescent lamp dimmer works. However, its output waveform is highly distorted and is far from an 110V sinusoidal AC voltage.

A purely resistive appliance (such as travel iron or water heater) will work just fine regardless of different voltage waveform. But if you ever try to power an electronic appliance (such as TV, computer or battery charger) with this chopped-up 220V waveform, it will probably be fried in an instant! My advice is to stay away from this potentially destructive product - unless you are really, REALLY careful about what to plug in.

If you have to bring electronic appliances with your oversea trips, make sure they are rated for universal voltage of 100-240V AC. Power supplies for most portable electronics (laptop, camcorder, cell-phone, electric shavers, etc.) are already designed to accept universal voltage, although some of them may require you to physically flip a voltage selection switch - check the user manual or the AC input plug of your appliance to make sure. If that is the case, all you need is a set of plug adapters (such as the Lenmar AC5), which can be purchased for much less.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worked Perfectly in Southern Italy, September 9, 2009

By 

Vincent E. Frissora "V" (new york, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Franzus TSM-1875CK International 1875 Watt Converter/Adapter Set (Electronics)

I went to Rome, Sorrento/amalfi coast and sicily and this thing worked with flying colors as far as charging my cell phone, Video Camera, and camera. I used southern Europe plug on the Low setting. I did not try to use it for a hair dryer or anything powerful though so i don't know about the high setting. It also did not get hot or anything like that (and neither did my devices)

Drawbacks are that while it fit in the European outlet, the heavy transformer fits in sideways, which gravity ALMOST pulls it out of the wall. What i had to do a few times was to use the hotel garbage can and rest it against it to make sure that it didn't fall out fo the wall socket and just to make it more stable. Otherwise the thing did exactly what i wanted.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product for the price, August 2, 2009

By 

Paul (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franzus TSM-1875CK International 1875 Watt Converter/Adapter Set (Electronics)

I used this converter frequently while traveling for 2 weeks in the UK with an infant (6-12 times during each day and it was used every night, all night). The "LO" setting worked for recharging all of our portable electronics (video camera, digital camera, pda) and worked for our baby monitor in the evening as well (I brought along an indoor extension cord so I could plug in the baby monitor's base station and the recharger for the portable monitor). The "HI" setting worked for the baby's bottle warmer. Considering the low price (I picked it up at Walmart for $29.99) I couldn't ask for more (and I didn't have to pack 2 converters like I usually do!).

A couple of things to note (and hopefully I can save someone else from panicking): the converter gave off an electronic smell for a few hours during the initial use but did go away after that. Also the unit did feel warm to the touch after being on all night so I would be careful not to use it where the device would be touching materials like curtains or bedding. In the evening we would use an outlet that had about 6 inches or more space around it.