Let me introduce you to my new friend: the automatic voltage regulator. When we bought our appliances, the merchant told us that we would need a stabilizer. Thinking that he meant a converter to go from 220v to 110v, we said that we had those. Besides, the new appliances were 220v. We have lived in 3 African countries over the past 13 years and had never before heard of said voltage regulator. But when warned that we would ruin our appliances if we did not purchase, and knowing there is always something new to be learned, we complied.

This gadget is a lifesaver. It takes electricity that is supposed to be 220v and regulates it to that voltage. As you can see from the photo, the current coming in was only 180v, but the regulator converted it to the required 220v. Only minutes before the input had fluctuated between 135 and 170. At these levels many appliances will not work, though plugged in to the correct outlets. We have lived where you had to have surge protectors because the power comes in over 220v and burns out devices, but I guess we have never lived where the power does not come in strong enough. Well, now we do!

Problems solved for my microwave, crock pot, and gas clothes dryer. Life just keeps getting better!