VCT VT-1000J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts To 120Volts OR Vice Versa -1000 Watt,black

My wife is Japanese, and we have several devices that utilize this feature; it works great. We turn it off when not using one of the devices and just run when needed. It works fine with high-amperage appliances; she has a large steam oven from Japan, and it works with that, no problem. We had the same model for over 15 years, then it blew, and so we looked to replace it with the same model because we knew it was reliable.

Exactly what we needed to use an air purifier we bought from Japan. No issues whatsoever. It's been a few months and it's going strong. I think there were some slightly cheaper units, but this one had consistently good reviews. For something like this you definitely want good build and engineering because without it whatever you plug in to it becomes useless and sometimes that means expensive useless. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention you need to check how much your appliance is going to draw before buying any transformer and plan to get one with the appropriate rating. This unit is rated at a max of 200 Watts. Keep in mind that transformers/power supplies, in general, work optimally at about 50% of the rated maximum load. Any more than 50% and not only is the unit less efficient, it will physically start to heat up and all the extra heat/work will shorten its lifespan and blow the fuses. For my appliance I knew it wouldn't pull more than 100 Watts (I think mine was rated at a max of 80 watts), so I knew this 200 Watt model would work very well. Also of note is that although it steps-up and steps-down, it only has the Japanese 2 prong outlet. So you'll need an adapter if you want to use it to step-up and plug in a US 2 prong or 3 prong.

Worked well on my 1980's Japanese computer.

I bought the 500VA VT-500J transformer for use with a 100V 495W Zojirushi rice cooker (Japan Model), for use in the USA. In short - the transformer works and is decent for the price, but be well aware of the ratings (for example, without cooling, the transformer in this 500VA rating is likely only good for 100-125VA continuous!). As an electrical engineer, I work with power systems daily. I have worked with proper 500VA-rated transformers and they are significantly larger, typically weighing in at about 7kg. The transformer inside this as you can see is very small, about 1.5kg, and likely rated for no more than 100VA continuous operation. This is evident in the small-text the manufacturer is recommending, since they do say (in customer feedback in the comments section) to leave a 4x margin. Meaning this '500VA' transformer is in fact, more like a 125VA-continuous transformer. However, for the price (about $35), and keeping in mind that I'll be reviewing this as a 125VA unit (instead of a 500VA unit), it's decent. Construction is good sheet metal with a very nice powder coat finish. It operates in both 100 to 120V step-up and 120 to 100V step down operation (default). Soldering inside was OK, wires used were cheap but OK 22AWG PVC, and grounding was properly done with a locking washer and crimped terminal. Quick measurement for voltage conversion - 122.7VAC input gave me 104.0VAC output with no load - good enough. If I claim that the transformer is only 125VA, why am I using it for my 495W rice cooker? While a transformer of this size is only good for 100+VA continuous operation, it can operate at higher power levels for short periods of time. The limits are (1) thermal and (2) transformer saturation. In order to make this 'work' for my rice-cooker, I did some measurements and found that my particular rice cooker only turns on its heating element (which when it does, does draw about 500W) for fairly short periods of time (10s of seconds), before turning it on and off. As a result, the total average duty cycle is low. I also found the transformer performance to be acceptable at full load. Now we're left with thermals. To mitigate this, I added my own 120VAC fan on top of the transformer box. The unit draws just over 4A from my 120VAC outlet, so I kept the 5A fuse. I've run this box with my rice cooker many times now with no issues. Regardless, I am doing so knowing that I'm pushing the transformer to its saturation limits and keeping in mind that the overall duty cycle of my rice-cooker is fairly low. In addition, I DO NOT recommend modifying this product in any way, unless you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re doing, and understand that it will void your warranty. I will certainly NOT recommend this though for any product that uses 500W continuous for any period of time. For that, you will need to buy the 2000VA model. However, for smaller products which draw a lot less power, this is an acceptable unit.

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.

It is rather ridiculous to have an america plug instead of british for a transformer to convert japanese voltage to british.

Después de 1 mes de uso funciona perfectamente, lo compré para poder conectar un aparato Japonés de los 90s que consume 100v a mi corriente de 110v (México). Antes de comprarlo no pude encontrar fotos en ningún lado para saber como era la selección de voltaje de entrada y salida, me intrigaba saber como era que funcionaba el selector y que voltajes aparecían disponibles así que anexo fotos por si a alguien más le sirve. Por cierto, viene con varios fusibles de repuesto.

Excelente producto, con este transformador pude usar una secadora Dyson que compre en Japón ya que solo encendían unos leds pero no trabajaba, una vez que la conecte al transformador ya la puedo usar sin problema alguno

Llego a tiempo sin ningún daño y funciona perfecto yo lo uso para mi mesa Kotatsu de 300W

Lo compré para usar la airwrap de JP en México. Como son aparatos muy delicados, no resistí y adquirí el medidor de voltaje con la finalidad de corroborar el funcionamiento correcto del transformador. Primero medí el voltaje del outlet en el que conecto el transformador, y arroja 120v. Luego conecté el transformador, lo encendí y medí ambas salidas para aparatos japoneses. En las dos arroja 104v.