We've been in the Netherlands about a year now. My kids desperately wanted a Wii before we left, but we couldn't find one. Well, now I've been able to order one to my APO from Circuit City. However, now I'm worried as the cord to plug it in is only for US voltage. I've contacted Nintendo, but of course they spout the company line ("only for use in the region they are produced" etc). My computer and printer work fine just with adapters and/or cords purchased here since the devices themselves handle the different current fine. Even the kids' DS Lites recharge fine with recharger cords purchased here. Do any of you have Wiis from America? Do you run them off of a transformer, or have you been able to purchase European Wii electrical cords and use them with your American Wii? I have to admit I am a bit of an idiot when it comes to this electricity thing, so my apologies if I am completely misunderstanding it and making an isuue where there really isn't one. Thanks!!
Thanks, everyone! Guess I was just nervous about using the transformer (we try to get by without using any), especially on a product the kids have waited for and wanted so desperately. Hearing from so many of you that have used transformers without any problems made me braver about plugging the darn thing in, and the kids are ecstatic! Thanks again, all of you.
We have a Wii, but fortunately we have both 110 and 220 plugs. My husband suggests that you use a transformer but be absolutely certain that the voltage is high enough to support it (100 or higher). I hope this helps. It's a great gaming system.
We have friends that live off base (Germany) and they just use a transformer with NO problems. They got the Wii when they went home for Christmas and have been using it every day for the past 6 months.
T.
We have an American Wii and use it here in Germany with a transformer. I don't know much about "electricals" either:-) but it is working fine. We also have been using our Playstation the same way for 3 years while we have been here - hope this helps.
Good Luck
R.
Hi, We live in germany and have purchased a Wii. We run ours on a transformer and does just fine.............
All of my friends have American Wiis and they all have them on transformers. None of them have had problems.
I am also currently stationed in The Netherlands, & we use our WII on A transformer. We have never had problems with it. Make sure you have A transformer that is at least 100 watts. The WII is less than 75 watts, so you will have A little extra. I hope this helps.
I miss America also. I have been here in Holland for 3 years, & before that I lived in Bavaria, Germany. Take advantage of the travel while you are here. I cannot count how many countries I have been to. My children, 11 yr old daughter, 6 yr old son are very well traveled & extremely knowledgable of world history thanks to our travels.
Good Luck,
C. V.
I also have an American Wii and Live in Europe. But I have 110 power in my base house. Do Not use your Wii on the 220 power with an adaptor and the transformer might burn it our quicker.
We live in England, and run our American Wii off of a transformer just like our American TV and all of our other American electronics. It all works fine...
we use our transformer with the wii... we haven't tried just using an adaptor. :-)
We've been using our 120V Wii on a transformer since December & it works fine.
I am interested in your idea to changing the cords to European ones to skip the transformer. Let me know if this works.
Thanks!
Due not buy a Eurpean Wii it will not work in the states the games will not work on one that you can get in the states. I don't have one but that is the way the X box is. My husdand bought won when he was in iraq the guy said it would work when he got back to the states it did not and the games wouldn't work in are other one. One of are Friends does have a Wii and they have it plugged into a transformer. I would love to get one but with the way the gas prices are we can not afford to get one. Good luck on finding one I hear they are hard to get a hold of.
This first paragraph is just an update for anyone who reads all this, the thing I am talking about in the paragraph below is called an A/C adaptor. My husband got them for the xbox 360 and the Wii from ebay, the Wii one only cost $15. Then you don't have to mess with a transformer which can long term damage your electicals if you don't have the right one running. The bigger the stronger? I also blew up my Dyson on a transformer and have had a really bad electric shock from a transformer last year that was running to our old xbox, that died (since upgrading to 360 changed to A/C adaptors) I refuse to allow transformers in my youngest sons room.
We have just bought a Wii for our youngest. You can use it over here but either on a transformer which we hate to use or you can do what my husband has done (he got the same thing for the xbox 360) you can buy a special transformer, he got ours on ebay for about $24 it plugs into the wall from the Wii itself, that way you don't have to mess with a transformer and the polarity stuff. OK so that is how I understand it. I too know nothing about electrical stuff. But I do know he hates transformers they are not good for your electrical things I blew my Dyson the first time I used it here on a transformer. But the thing he got for the Wii and Xbox work perfectly just like a regular cord with a little box in it. If you need more clarification later when my husband is awake, (doing night shift this week) I will find out exactly what it is. My son will get his given to him this Saturday for his birthday.
we got a Wii 2 months ago and use it in the UK using a transformer. We have had no problems and have not heard of anyone having problems doing this. Hope that helps.
Here's the real answer which I just got confirmation from a friend - yes, you can successfully use your Wii with a transformer so I hope the children have lots of fun! Be sure you use one that has enough wattage to support the electrical output/input needed.
Hi - I live in the Netherlands too and we operate the PS2 on a transformer and it works just fine. I imagine the Wii is the same. I can email my spouses' club group and verify it for you and will let you know. I do live near a military base (you'll have an idea where that is without listing the name) and lots of families with kids and video systems.
Jane (mom of 16 yr old daughter and 10 yr old son)
Hello M.,
We live in Germany & my 2 children have WII, DS, Play Station 2, Game Cube (they got back in the States). Each of these systems runs as you've guessed on 110 current. We got the WII for our children after we got here & were floored that we had to get yet another "transformer" for it. Luckily enough you only have to get the small one. Check the voltage on the back of the WII. I don't think it's that high. The transformer we bought was only $35. It's the little round black one (if yours are the same as ours here in Germany). Actually, we plug a lot of our American stuff into the transformers just by checking the voltage. Or even use the adapters. If I can help anymore pls feel free to ask, I'm more then happy to help. I wish you luck.
N.
M.,
Unfortunatly you can not use any american game console on 220 voltage. My kids did that to their game cube and it blew! We run all there game consoles off a 100 watt transformer which doesnt use very much electircity. It is like having a 100 watt light bulb. Now with the the IPODS you can recharge on 220 by using a 220 adapter., I havent tried it on the their DS Lites but I know american game consoles you have to use a transformer because it is made only for 110 voltage.Using a transformer is not big deal, all you do is plug it in. This is one reason why you cant buy video games overseas because it is made for their 220 voltage. I hope this helps you. You also need to make sure you use the right transformer on any appliance as it will blow your appliance or vacuum if you do not use the right voltage. My flat iron blew the 75 watt transformer even tough it says it is only 40 watts. So I have to use a 100 watt one. Using transformer is not a big deal. I had to run my vacuum off a 1000 watt transformer as a 500 wasnt enough. Most vacuums are 1000 or more to begin with. Hope this helps.
My name is P. and I am stationed at RAF Mildenhall, UK and have 4 boys and hubby is currently deployed.
P. B
