You're right -- just change the light bulbs to ones from the local area, and
either get an adapter for the wall socket into which you can plug your U.S.
style plug, or stop by a hardware store and get the right plugs and swap out
the U.S. plug for the local area. The specifics will depend on your area --
in Thailand the local 220V current used a U.S. 2-prong plug; in other areas
we lived, the local plug was either two or three pronged with round prongs
or large thick prongs. In one of our overseas locations lights and
appliances were sold without plugs, and when you bought them the sales
person asked what style of plug you wanted, then got the right one from
supplies and put it on at the time of sale.

Some of the other things mentioned here weren't a problem -- using 220v
lights we saw no difference in life of the light bulbs. We also wound up
with a bunch of transformers which we could use for other electrical items
that weren't self-adaptable to 220-240V current -- small appliances, fans,
dehumidifier, radios, electronic organ, etc.

Been there, done that. Regards --

"Expat" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 15, 1:09 pm, mm wrote:
On 15 Mar 2007 05:32:34 -0700, "Expat" wrote:

I've read conflicting messages on the internet.Some sources say that
USA lamps can handle the increased voltage just fine w/o a step down
transformer,others say I need to change the ballast or use step-down
transformers.Thanks for any clarity on this!

There is no ballast in an incandescent lamp.

What Gfretwell said but remember that 220 can kill you a heck of a lot
faster than 110. Not just twice as fast but I'm guessing maybe 10 or
20 times as likely. So don't stick your finger in the socket, etc.
etc.

There are or used to be electricians, or amateurs, I'm told, who would
check for power in a 110 volt circuit by sticking their finger in the
socket, but no one would ever try this with 220. Don't touch
something by accident.

Yeah,sorry for the confusion in the original post.There is no ballast
in these incandescent lamps.Just have to drop 220V bulbs in and
install a plug adapter and I should be good to go.The stamping on the
lamps says 250V and the zip cord is rated higher.Thanks to "gfretw"
for cuttin' through the BS and giving me the answer I was looking for!