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Post by Twofeets on Sept 25, 2011 5:09:05 GMT
Ive heard the rumors, but the simple fact is that 110v items are becoming harder and harder to find. My wife and I hit several stores in Rahima, the DH mall (including Saco), and a few other random stores in Khobar. The only 110v microwave we found was damaged, we didnt find any 110v vacuums, and other items were hard to find as well. One of the store owners said he no longer carried 110v because KSA was going to a straight 220v system. Does anyone know for sure if this is true? And if so when?
Are there any stores that you know of in the RT/Dammam/Khobar (or even Bahrain) area that still carry 110v appliances?
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Post by Quanta on Sept 25, 2011 5:36:48 GMT
My friend recently bought 110v vacuum cleaner from Extra in Khobar.
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Post by vpainter on Sept 25, 2011 6:22:24 GMT
Zaina = Sears and Extra
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Post by Engr70 on Sept 25, 2011 7:03:52 GMT
o, I have also moved to DH recently and able to find vacuum cleaner 110V from Extra in Amwaj mall near IKEA store (this store probably close by now as they have told me that they are going to close soon), the second place you can find 110V VC, is SANYO dealeship in Alkhobar ( www.al-asasyah.com/s_vaccum.html). I bought 110 MW from main Extra store (03-847 7777) near centerpoint. They also have 110V toasters and stuff ... I am also new so locations are kind of difficult to explain ... Hope this help.. Best of Luck.. Regards, Engr70 |
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Post by Carolina on Sept 25, 2011 16:02:14 GMT
o
Eventually all will be changed to 220V but I cannot specify when - as we are from the UK we came here with a lot of 220 V appliances so we have had some more sockets in our house to accommodate this we are in RT and can recommend someone who is excellent that can do this.
We did in fact buy our 110V hoover from Extra around one year ago but already it is showing wear and tear - so we go ahead now and buy anything we need in 220V and try and buy in Bahrain - simply saves the hassle.
At the moment we still have a 110V dryer and the hoover and all of our other appliances are in 220V - we have recommended that new people need to think about buying 220 Volts and the reason why is that 110V is becoming difficult to find is the fact they are being phased out.
If you need this good person we know to help you convert some of your sockets to 220V please do send me a private message - he is trained and fully professional in all electrical matters.
Hope this helps
Carolina
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Post by vpainter on Sept 25, 2011 20:25:52 GMT
The letter we received in DHA is that they will be studying the issue for several years and then implementing it over time after that. I wouldn't count on it happening quickly.
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derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by derekg on Sept 26, 2011 4:18:11 GMT
Last weekend the Saudi Government passed a law that would standardize the country on 220v and eventually make it illegal to import 110v appliances for resale. There are 110v appliances available in Saudi Arabia, but they are becoming increasingly difficult to find. We can hope that housing will realize this and start converting the houses to 220v, however, most North Americans coming here will have 110v appliances and electronics. If possible, you should try to bring dual voltage electronics otherwise it will be necessary to use step down transforms should the company standardize on 220v. The good news in all this is that no decision will be made quickly, so those with 110v appliances and electronics will not be affected for a while.
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Post by Twofeets on Sept 26, 2011 10:12:33 GMT
If the article in Arab News was correct, 'eventually' isnt that long off. Back in July (pretty sure it was July) they reported that 110V would become illegal to import in 2012! A lot of the local stores have already stopped carrying 110V, so come next year it will be illegal to import and unavailble for sale here. Yes, you can buy transformers however please be warned, they can be VERY dangerous. For small appliances it normally isnt an issue, but for things such as microwaves and other devices which draw a lot of power transformers are considered a high fire hazard risk. Those new to the company are really going to be in a pickle next year, with a choice of scouring the country looking for 110V leftovers, trying to smuggle in 110Vs, hiring an electrician to convert your house (which Ive been told is a no no), or using a transformer which is a fire hazard. Maybe when I go back to the US in December ill just buy up a ton of 110V appliances and open a store in my gae O:-). ps.. here's the article.. found it. www.arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article448682.ece |
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stmayo11
Senior Member
ExPats Community Moderator
Posts: 159
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Post by stmayo11 on Oct 5, 2011 19:36:07 GMT
My 'new' house won on a recent bid list is currently under renovation by Housing. I know for a fact that the renovation for this house added 6/7 more 220 outlets throughout the house: 4 more downstairs and 2/3 upstairs. I've been monitoring the progress of the renovation and the electricians spent a couple of days cutting out walls, drilling through 2x4's to run the new 220 wiring. They said this was one of the first houses to have the 220 wiring added. I have all 110 appliances, so right now I really don't need these 220 outlets, but if all this fuss about going over to 220 is true, looks like my new house will be ready to go.
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Post by Twofeets on Oct 6, 2011 4:53:00 GMT
It's not 'fuss' my friend, its simply trying to preplan after the article in the Arab News. www.arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article448682.eceIf the article is correct, this can be a bit of an inconvenience as a lot of homes simply are not ready for it. |
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stmayo11
Senior Member
ExPats Community Moderator
Posts: 159
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Post by stmayo11 on Oct 6, 2011 6:42:42 GMT
o Twofeets,
It appears as though you took my use of the word 'fuss' personally. There has been a bit of 'buzz' about this topic, and perhaps my use of the word 'fuss' would better have been expressed had I used the word 'buzz'. No harm was intended by my use of that word. I completely understand your notion of trying to pre-plan for when/if this happens.
stmayo11
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Post by Twofeets on Oct 6, 2011 9:10:22 GMT
No offense taken my friend, just clarifying the source and my intent ;-) .
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Post by alexander.lund on Oct 6, 2011 13:39:00 GMT
Sony-shop in Rahima's got some 110V stuff. I bought a vacuum-cleaner there a few weeks ago.
Alex
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Post by Twofeets on Oct 6, 2011 13:51:11 GMT
Thanks buddy, ill have to check it out!
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Post by bolishfamily on Oct 15, 2011 15:05:20 GMT
110 appliance update.
Just in case anybody is looking for 110 appliance - I was at Saco World today(Oct 15th) and they had some microwaves, toaster ovens, egg poachers, sandwich grills, juicers and that's what I saw during a quick look through the appliance section.
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