"Tim Perry" wrote in message
...
Note that the 500-1600 watt part is followed by two asterisks ** implying
further qualification elsewhere.

Your doughter has been victimized by misleading or downright phony marketing
claims.

Note the 50 watt rating is prominently marked on the front of the packaging.

A one kW (1,000 W) stepdown transformer will weigh quite a bit and coast
substantially more then a new hairdryer.

Some examples of stepdown transformer that are packaged for use are here
http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=170
These are not the voltages you want and most are in the 5,000 VA range but
it will give you the feel for what is called for with this application.

There *are* however, converters in about the same form factor as the one shown by the OP, that are
rated to power high-wattage appliances. Here's an example:
http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-ADF160.../dp/B00006JQ28

These devices always state that they are for heating appliances only. I suspect what's inside is
nothing more than a big diode.

Eric Law