Just got new Mathmos lamps from UK. What do I do about different plugs??

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

I just received 4 new lamps from Electric Planet in UK and of course they have the UK style plug on them. I foolishly thought they would come with American plugs or sets of adapters so I could use them.WRONG!!! So what I obviously need to know is,what's my best course of action here? Any ideas would be appreciated.

[MyFriendGoo]

i use transformers, i like to keep them original, but that's me

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

'baby- Thanks for the quick reply. Where would I get step up transformers? I got the new turquoise and white colors in the astros and blue on blue in the baby astros. I was pissed when I saw the UK plugs. I just want to go the easiest route to a fix.

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

Thanks friend. Where's the first place I'd look for a transformer?

[WeeboTech]

This is what I have.
http://www.110220volts.com/MW1PO45FK.html

But I also purchased a higher wattage step up transformer and a special Power Strip.
Mine is different then this, but it;s along the same basis.

http://www.110220volts.com/5strip-kit.html
It helps to have a few of these around for the lamps that can take the special eurobased bulbs or can fit american bulbs.

I bought something like this
http://www.110220volts.com/TC-200.html
and the power strip
http://www.110220volts.com/5strip-kit.html

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

WEEBO, Big thanks for all the helpful ideas. But now you've opened up a whole new batch of questions from me since I want to do this right the first time.Question #1; If I purchase a transformer for each lamp, do I also need to get the special power strip too? And do I also need to put in a different bulb than the one they came with? Can I plug transformer into an american strip? Same question for step up/down transformer. Does it need to be plugged in to one of these special strips or can I use one of ours? Maybe I should just ask this; since I have four new lamps what exactly should I do to get them up and running using the transformer route? Please tell me exactly what I need. If I get four of the transformers do I also need the power strip and different bulbs? The lamps will all be in the same room but will all be in different areas/corners. Again, I hate to sound so stupid here but I do want to get this right the first time. It's already cost me more than I thought it would so I would appreciate any help. Thanks alot WEEBO !

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

Thanks alot bohdan for the helpful reply. I think though I'll try the transformer route first.What a hassle this all is.

[WeeboTech]

If you want to put these in separate parts of the room, then get the smaller transformers. Keep in mind they are a little big. you do not need that power strip or to change the bulbs.

The strip is good if you want all the lamps in one location.
It can fit the four lil transformers, or you could get one large 200 watt converter and the power strip for display in one location.

If these are the newer Astros/Babys There are just a few parts you can get from home depot to do the conversion to American lamps.

Then you will not have to be concerned about bulbs in the future.

[WeeboTech]

Any place in the USA to get the Fireflows?

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

weebo- HUGE help,thanks so much. I'll let you know how it all turns out. Donald

[Donald Bruce Cutler]

Astrobaby, Thanks for all the great info. I have two fluidiums and thats what got me in trouble in the first place when I ordered from UK since the fluids had American plugs. I figured they sold their lamps both ways you'd think that would be a no-brainer,right? And you'd also think that the electric planet would let you know the situation before you forked out your dough especially when they can see you're ordering from the USA, RIGHT???? Anyway I don't feel confident enough to tear into a brand new lamp that's just cost me an arm and a leg to get so i'm going the wimp-out route and just trying the transformers. But thanks for all the help regardless,Donald