Great info. Huge help!

Dude you have the PERFECT personality for the Philippines. And Thank you for today's video

Thank you James. The transformer info was something I really needed.

Good explanation of Philippine voltage. Thank you.

James- that was a great class on US versus Philippines outlets. 👏🏻👏🏻

Love your videos. I can't wait till the next video shows uo

Hi, James and Melinda, we're here in Boracay right now and have rented a condo to enjoy the island life for a while. Being here has given me an even greater appreciation for what you have accomplished. people (Americans in particular) don't quite fully understand just how different things are here in the Philippines (guilty as charged). In any case, we're here to stay, so hopefully, we'll manifest our own philippine dreams as you have that said, hopefully, one day, we'll get to meet you both. best of luck and continued success in all your endeavors. your home here is amazing.

That’s something I will remember, Ty for showing, it’s always a good video Sir, enjoy watching

Excellent. Glad I watched this. Was considering buying a bunch of 220/110 converters for American appliances. Will just buy 220-volt models. Thanks.

Good morning from Mindanao, via R.I. Did the same thing to my Milwaukee cordless charger puff. Good thing is they were available cheap on Lazada so bought 2, even better they operate on 220v. House is looking great..

Interesting

Good information my friend

Biswaye P117 charger is auto sensing voltage, Ryobi compatible. I have tools, electrical and plumbing parts in my suitcases (no clothes lol) I arrive in Manila on Thursday, Davao on Friday. We bought lots Christmas 2019.

i agree that the outlets are a great idea for builders on the balikbayan!!

I think I speak for everyone on this. Now you got to sacrifice a tool to show us what exactly happens when you plug 220 cord in a 110 tool. We want to see!!! You know it will make great content plus you can write it off.

Greetings from Bayawan City. Weather is hot and dry now. No rain for 10 days. Was rainy when we got here. Beach house on Sulu Sea. Cost of living is high here also. Gasoline = $5.25 gallon, prices are more compared to before the pandemic. PAL flight from LAX to DGT went well. Didn’t see as many foreign nationals as before the pandemic. Frequent brown outs and water shortage.

I hear that. I sent my brother-in-law a cordless drill. The label on the charger said 11vac. I stuck a big flag on the end of the power cord that said 110 volts only. My brother inlaw read the label, he said he even thought about it. He still plugged it into the 220 outlet. I am not sending him another. No matter how hard you try, you can't fix stupid. Instead of using an overly expensive transformer I use a VMC. Voltage Motor Controller.

Good morning James and Mel.

Brownouts are really hard to deal with here yeah alwasy good to have things that run on battery during a a power outage

Many years ago, I smoked a drill here doing repair work at a company, some smart person wired a 120v reciprocal, at 220 v. The drill worked for a few seconds.

I like the the universal outlets because lots of appliances and tools com from Germany

My last trip I took 15 outlets, cover plates and switches with me. My house will have all American electronics. My house also will have four step down converters coming off of the fuse box. Everything will be 110.

Had a couple 110 v outlets wired in from the main panel. Outlets are labeled 110v. Got tired of buying big bulky transformers. Yup if you have a 1000 watt appliance you need double the wattage on a transformer or it will start melting the plug. Been there done that.

In other industrial company practice here in the Philippines where equipments come from other countries with different codes and standards, they call it Mistake proofing or pokayoke when you accidentally make a mistake by default mind settings. To get it right put the adoptor plug on the 110 bolt on the permanently different size that won't fit 220v - just putting color tape still creates a mistake

Hi from Australia we use 240 volt 50hz Philippines use 220volts 60hz so if bring any thing like motor appliances be careful the run but can out of phase can make run faster got buz bar on your switch is good way all so it good use buz bar across your switch board circuit board

I guess on my visit I made that same mistake with my razor and phone. I changed them both but they must be made to accept both. No issues with either one. I have experience from long ago with 220 in Europe but they had different plugs. Also I wish the USA would use 220 instead of 110.

I paint the plug of all 110 stuff.

That what we used in Germany when I was stationed there

Looks great james . You made me laugh about philipinos unplugging everything my wife does the same many times I have been waiting for my morning toast and realized my philipina unplugged the toaster oven . Hahahahah.

I have not opened a panther brand, but I think they are better than most here

I brought all battery tools with 110-240 chargers except the sander and jigsaw. I forget almost everytime, but know immediately when the tool feels like its been supercharged. Both have yet to burn up. Now that brand has those 2 tools with batteries, so will probably get them this Summer when back in Dallas. I don't think marking them will work for me because I'm just unconsciously grabbing tools when in the middle of a project. And lugging that big heavy transformer is a pain. I get it everytime yet I still plug the tool into the extension cord instead of the transformer.

All those power backups will most definitely be on the build it’s no other option build it right or don’t build at all 😎

One other comment - many, if not most, chargers are now universal. Meaning they will handle both 110/120V and 220/240V. All my chargers are like that - phones, tools, iPad, laptop, shaver. Easy to design them that way since they have simple diode inputs to an IC that manages the output DC. Check your battery chargers. Some older tool battery chargers have an inout voltage switch which may not be immediately obvious.

Do cell phones from USA needs a special step doun for 110 . Wonder if I can get one of those befor I go to the phillipens

Always wrap the screw, i go on alot of service calls on stabbing wires in the back and they can be tough to find the short.

Great info on US vs PH power. Common problem with appliances sent from US. In Manila and Baguio could get 110V so we had both, but it’s not the common hookup. Special request kind of thing. Have you checked voltage from one leg of 220V to earth ground? Depending on your local utility you might find it’s 110V! Earth ground is ALWAYS a good thing!

I did the same exact thing with my Dewalt 20v charger in Pampanga!😂 like you I had a backup. I just shipped another one plus two extra 5AH batteries. Cost, 1💪and 1🦵! 😠

James, I don't know about anybody else, but trying to wrap stranded wire around the receptical side screws doesn't work very well. the strands creep out to the sides leaving only about half of them clamped. We bought AWG 14-12 forked terminals to fit a #8 screw and soldered them on. Also the recepticals come in white, ivory, and brown. We use brown for 110 volts and ivory for 220 volts. We also bought some red ones from Pass and Seymore which are 20 amp but the same prongs as a 110 receptical. Also the less than 1 amp currents for led lights requiring AWG 14 (15 amp wire) due to the smallest panel breaker being 15 amps costs a lot in oversized wire. We got DIN rail mounted fuse holders that accept 3 to 32 amp fuses.

Thank you I tru to ask some Filipinos what was the voltage in the Philippines outlet and they keep on saying is the same out same power that is here in the United states thank you only and America new how to answer my question you

Ahahaha I feel you, I UNPLUG EVERYTHING or else, SUNOG! AHAHAHAHA

I just bought a new Suzuki s presso. Perfect small economy car for Mel. 500k out the door

Yes again 1st

When we first planned our build I told Rose that I wanted it to higher standards than building codes there. I insisted on things like a common earth ground and a breaker box. She didn’t know why but after I explained it she was yelling at our Forman over the phone insisting on it. I just wish I could be there to supervise in person. And I know I can always call you if I run into something I’ve never delt with for advice 👍.

Hello James, just want to make sure because I was about to buy a few boxes of those outlets and light switches at Home Depot back in the U.S. couple months ago to be sent out here, if it would be able to handle 220v here? sorry for my ignorance, started building a house here in Mandurriao hopefully you could come visit someday. Thanks in advance!

I would just like to point out a common misconception. It is widely said and believed that The Philippines is 220V. However in reality ( and by actual testing using a digital plug-in volt and hertz meter ) it is 230V especially in the suburbs and in the bigger cities and industrial areas, 240V @ 60Hz. South Korea is the same. The rest of the Asian region is generally 230V BUT @ 50Hz. Japan being the exception as one side of the country uses the US model while the other side uses the European model given the history in its industrial development. Overall, like we all know, higher voltage is more efficient, requires less amps and allows the use of thinner wires. While in the US, due to the high amp draw/requirement, a 100 amp service is required ( by law if I remember right ) as a minimum for a family of 4.

We are lucky here in Australia. If we bring any device over there it's ok. 240v in a 220v socket is fine. But the one thing I am not happy with is that the power sockets in the Philippines and from what I can see the US it is the same. They don't have a on/off switch. I cringe every time I plug something into a socket when in the Philippines that doesn't have a separate power on/off switch on it. Like Laptop chargers or a cell phone charger. Seeing that little spark from the outlet always makes my hair stand on it's end. I think it's crazy how there is no on/off switch on the power outlets.

British standard plugtops, sockets and switches are far superior in quality than the American and Asian outlets you have. If you can ever get some James, they’re a great safe buy. Only thing is the back boxes are different.

I remember back in the fifties when I was a kid... All the old people such as my grandparents I'm plugged everything in the house... I have no clue why... This was in the USA.. I know Filipinos are still doing it haha...

With our receptacles, that small tab can be removed, and fix a switched receptacle.

James, I’m curious what you think of Falicity Solar’s hybrid inverter. Does it compare to MPTSolar’s hybrid? I send you a copy of the brochure in the mail. If you have time, would you mind having a look? I know you’re busy. If you don’t have time, then forget it.

Just brought over 2 ceiling fans I bought at Costco. 110v and my contractor had purchased 2 step down transformers for them for $2500 pesos each to be installed in the ceiling. Ceiling fans in PI, say at Wilcon - suck. 240v are expensive, lesser quality, most dont have remotes, won't dim or use LED lighting, and my Costco fans are warrantied for life.

James I had a Japanese whole house surge protector that shuts down power to the house in case power surges or reduces below an acceptable level installed in our place in Davao during our last trip there. Have you researched any whole house surge protection for your place.

Hey James, just wondering if your entire house is running on 110v with those Leviton outlets and switches?

👍😎👍⚡⚡

quick question on those 110v receptacles from the US. they are rated at 110v correct? running 220v through them is ok? I ask this because on my last trip to the Philippines, I brought a power strip for all our devices. I specifically looked for one rated at 220v. I'd think I'd smoke a normal 110v power strip, just like I'd think you'd smoke those 110v receptacles. I've looked to see if these receptacles were rated between 110v to 220v, but only see 110v on them. genuinely curious, because I'd definitely bring a bunch with me for when I'm gonna build.

I accidentally plugged in my 110v charger as well. I though it was toast but a quick look inside with a dmm revealed a ceramic fuse blew, nothing else. Easy fix but lesson learned.

When I shipped my stuff back to the Philippines. I labeled the plug, all of them, esp the voltage unless it's fixed and able to handle 220

Hi James. Great idea you bought your outlets here in US. All my outlets and switches I bought here in US for my building. Here's a suggestion. I color coded my 120v outlet orange connected to a 3000 watts transformer. I use the 100/120v for my blenders, coffee maker, power tools, etc. There's a total of 4 120v outlets and an outlet with extensions for my 120v power tools. I'll be back again September in Iloilo and by that time second building should be done. The first building was for my call center and my room in the second floor. I have 4 generators. Solar not efficient enough. Come and visit me next time. Your house looks great!

👍🇺🇸👍

What about laptops and cell phones from the US 🤔. Do they automatically switch voltages? Do I need transformers for those if I’m bringing them from the US?

James do they sell Dewalt cordless tools there. I’m wondering if I could buy a 220v charger there and just bring my tool collection

I have a bunch of 110v tools from the US. My wife burnt out our Milwaukee battery charger. I have another one, but do you know if they sell 220v chargers for Milwaukee, Makita, etc? I’m pretty knowledgeable about the electrical of the USA & moved here in February. Since then I’ve replaced a few outlets here because the plastic that holds the receptacle in broke. I’ve found that the 220v here is just 2 110v lines without a neutral. I’m wondering if you could hook a ground & one of the 110v lines to a receptacle for use for USA 120v products? I’m renting currently so I’m not able to test my theory but will be building our own house soon & if it’s possible would like to have a few 110v outlets if it works? Love the show & always watching. Keep em coming!

It's good to know with some things like those receptacles USA 🇺🇸 quality is still the top dog so to speak . at one time in history we lead the way on most all things quality it was job one here 👌 but a very sadd thing happened Nafta 😢 now China & others are pumping out a lot of junk .I brought a cheap China hand grinder once you could not use it over a couple min before burning your hand & dropping it .😅 Thanks James for the vedieo I enjoyed it God Bless yall . Salamat

Couldn't you bring a small breaker panel, put your 220 into the main breaker, split the 2 legs into 110 outlets , just like it is here. I have tons of tools. This would be just for building. A temporary power source?

I try to buy chargers and tools that are 110/220. So far, everything that says it can handle 220, can

Hey James when you get time could you do a video or part of a video on foreigners coming to the Philippines and their cell phones I have no clue whether my phone will work whether I can charge it or not or do I have to buy a Filipino phone

I wonder if anyone just installs a battery bank to get through the brown outs? Daughter is on oxygen 24/7 and uses a oxygen concentrator. So availability of power is usually first thing i think of.

You and melissa are nice and your video to but respons pff terra ble

James I remember you saying in previous video the quality of extension cords in Philippines is poor, you recommended bringing better quality from US. What about the 110/220???

Yes, that annoying "pull out thing" all the time. My now passed away mother in law did that all the time and I'm not used to that and each time I was to use a fan it didn't turn on! My father in law recently couldn't understand why there was no signal on his TV, well he had pulled out the cord and forgotten it. Of course when there is a thunderstorm or on it's way it's sensible to pull out your appliances etc. But, otherwise not. In my opinion this habit must wear out the outlets and switches. Constantly in and out plugging and switching lights on and of the whole time! Here in Ilocos Norte brown outs are not so common as in other provinces, other for the scheduled maintenance's of the line which will last up to around 10 hours, but when a thunderstorm that is with strong lightnings then the power will be out as yesterday and the day before for between 3-6 hours well into the night! We who come from Europe don't have any problems with the voltages on our bring with tools etc. Only the power adapter plug which are Euro type with round poles.

it burns me up when my asawa unplugs everything. i turn off everything plugged into the power strip then she will come behind me and unplug the power strip from the wall. 🤬 i tell her it is a surge protector but what good is it to say anything. welcome to the Philippines

I have a lot of 20v cordless tools. Luckily the chargers take 220 and 120. I did loose a very expensive HEPA air cleaner as it mysteriously got plugged into a 220 outlet not my step down transformer. Upon discovering the dead cleaner I investigated as everyone in the house knows about using the 110 transformers. I identified the culprit, it was the ever elusive destroyer of things, “NOT ME”. “Not me” and it’s evil twin, “I didn’t do it” have destroyed quite a lot of things, God help them if I catch them. I recommend a good power conditioner/surge protector for all expense appliances especially big screen TVs even if they are 220, the brown outs kill them snappy quick. The power wave here is extreme so the conditioner levels it out and extends the life of the appliances.

great info...but omg... talk about fire hazards there :/

6:36 I hate these plug-in joke of an outlet. I prefer the screwed ones.

Good Morning....you can take and make your outlet that is 220 volts...and wire some outlets for 110 volts....it's just a few switchings to create 110 volts ...without a transformer....you just need to learn ...how to wire the outlet to use 110 volts and not 220....☺️

Wouldn’t it be easier if the Philippines has the same volts as the USA or the USA has the same volts as the Philippines where you don’t need any adapters at all,it’s also ridiculous that Philippines and US have the same wall outlets but have different volts.

1st time I came here in PH i had same problem. There is no NEUTRAL. Both lines are LIVE. To get 110Vac, either get a step down transformer, or connect one line to earth ground - not an easy task when there is no ground wiring as well. There is no color coding.. All wires are black, or red, or blue, or gray, or yellow, or pink, or white, or whatever!... and does not denote anything... In PH, the standard was the round plug (like those used in UK) for 110... yeah more confusion.. SCREW IT... I junked all 110V devices and used 220

Your talking about everything but the heading

Simple solution: Get rid of any device that is NOT 220v, and you're life will be simpler... You will eventually make a mistake and burn it out anyways.. Buying power tools in the Philippines are relatively cheap (as compared to also buying a step-down transformer) and there's no risk of burning out the 220v versions. Also, push-in connections are ok in PH, if because it's 220v and therefore uses only half the current (5-7 amps) for a 1200-1500 watt circuit. It's the same reason you also find a lighter gauge of wire, because it only has to carry half the current to drive the same load.. Yes, in my house I'm using "Universal" wall outlets are like yours, and GFCI in wet areas, on a 3-wire grounded system (for 220v 60hz in Cavite)..

Hi Texas Filipino James and Malinda great having solar panels even if you only have two running that's cool.that router looks cool wow awesome. Ian thinking of bringing our washing machine over to mactan island . It's great to have home appliances and drills you use for working on houses I have one of those with a cut off switch on till bring mine over as well just in case I need them cause I won't change power leads . I might need a bit of advice on them and that just in case I'm not electric in electrical when it comes to power here in Australia and the Philippines but I would like to know if I can use them there. Salamat James and Malinda ❤️ 🇵🇭 Scott expat in the Philippines 🇵🇭 arleneINDAYLYNZ 🌴🌴🌴🌴🍹🇵🇭🤠🇦🇺🍹🌴🌴🌴🌴

I have to say this, Philippine electrics are without doubt the most dangerous I have come across anywhere in the world. The problem is they copied the American system, hence the plugs are the same. 60htz etc. Your "new style USA plugs" are not really any safer, still pushing wires into terminal holes?. WHY do you not use screw fix terminals like the UK system? I also live in the Philippines, but have changed to UK electrical, no chance of putting wrong plug into wrong voltage outlet, no chance that the connection wires becoming loose and arcing out and burning. Sorry to say that the USA do not have safe electrics.

You can get a converter and then glue it to the plug so not to make a mistake! I did it just one time and fired my walwart to my digital pre-amp, got a new walwart in 220v and in 5 yrs that was the only mistake I made!