How to pay a bill at the post office including how to fill out a blank bolletino postale. http://www.expatsinitaly.com/bolletinopostale.htm

Driving in Italy including all of the signs and translations
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/driving.htm

Utilities in Italy
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/Utilities.htm

I am working on the cost of living questionnaire but still have not gotten that many responses. Only 16 so far so it is hard to get an average for the different areas. I think I wil just give a range and add in specifics at the bottom.

Still looking for volunteers to help with content. Come on (I need a begging graemlin) folks you all have been so good with doing trip reports, reviews, etc. over at SlowTalk, I am just hoping for a bit of that generocity here too

How about an addition?

North American power is 120V 60 cycles. European is 220V 50 cycles. The voltage can be dealt with easily with a step down transformer but the cycles can cause problems.

Check the back of the device. You'll see something like

1) 120V/60 this may work it may not. You're taking a risk.

2) 120V/50-60 this should work just fine with a step down transformer

3) something like 110-240v 50-60 This should work just fine. You may need to flip a switch or you may need a new plug.

One thing 60 cycles is used for is timing clocks. Older clocks will not keep time with 50 cycles.

Hi Nick,

An addition for where? Part of the FAQ? A page on electricity?

Hi,

This page


http://www.expatsinitaly.com/faq.htm

talks about the voltage issue. The problem is the voltage issue isn't really the big one. The problems come from the second part of the power.

Handling 220V is possible without going overboard. But devices that need 60 cycles will be more of a problem.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cristina,

One more thing. 220V in North America is different then 220V in Europe. Things like big power tools that use 220v power in North America can't be just plugged into 220V European power.

Could I use what you wrote?

I did the FAQ section ages ago before I had the expats site and before I was the mod over at SlowTalk. I just put in some basics to start and now would love to get more detailed with pointers to other sections, responses on the board etc. etc. Alexandra has also written a few additions to the faq so maybe if people could foward ideas with answers to me, that would be great.

Hi,
I posted what I wrote to the sci.electronics newsgroup. Let them pick it apart and correct anything I got wrong. I'd feel better if somebody looked it over to make sure it's right. I think it is right but better to have a few extra sets of eyes look at it.

quote:

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Driving in Italy including all of the signs and translations
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/driving.htm

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Excellent resource, Cristina. I wish I had seen something like this before I rented a car this past spring. I know I made bunch of errors, but I guess nobody was looking!

T. Bottegal

I haven't received any serious complaints. So it seems okay so far.