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      08-02-2011, 09:50 AM   #1
Swadeness
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Any advice for PCS'ing to Germany?

Hey guys I am looking for some advice on this PCS move. Right now I am trying to put together a list of household goods to sell or keep. I know most of my kitchen type appliances can't go along with the computer speakers and printer because of the different power voltages there. What about some household lamps? Will they work over there if I buy bulbs made for German power? I hate to do it but the TV probably has to go too, it can handle the voltage difference but I don't think it can use the cable signal over there. Does that sound right?

What type of stuff did you guys take that you wish you would have left behind? What type of stuff did you wish you would have taken?

Thanks
Wade
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      08-02-2011, 10:25 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swadeness View Post
Hey guys I am looking for some advice on this PCS move. Right now I am trying to put together a list of household goods to sell or keep. I know most of my kitchen type appliances can't go along with the computer speakers and printer because of the different power voltages there. What about some household lamps? Will they work over there if I buy bulbs made for German power? I hate to do it but the TV probably has to go too, it can handle the voltage difference but I don't think it can use the cable signal over there. Does that sound right?

What type of stuff did you guys take that you wish you would have left behind? What type of stuff did you wish you would have taken?

Thanks
Wade
Tv should work if you get a afn decoder, german tv only black and white if I remember right. You can get transformers for most appliances that convert 220v to 110v. lights i dont think will work, not sure though.
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      08-02-2011, 12:06 PM   #3
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Wade,

The big questions is...will you live on-base in base housing/dorms or off-base?

Most on-base quarters have both 110 and 220 outlets, at least those I have been inside have both. If you live off base, it's a no-brainer.....look for the 100~240 (auto adjustable) symbol or 100-240 (self switching) on your electrical stuff. If it doesn't have that, then leave it/sell it.

My US lamps worked with german bulbs and a plug adapter but lightweight wiring on cheap lamps many burn out....I use some and own some German lamps, no big deal.

Most computers are switchable and a printer can be powered off a low voltage transformer that you can easily unplug when not using.

Leave frigs, washing machines, dryers, big cabinets, big tube TVs...heavy stuff. You can get some great free stuff from the military or buy it. Everything in the PX/BX is flat screen now anyways.

Personally I live off base and as a DA civilian, knew that coming over. When I found out I was coming here, anything electrical I bought I made sure was 100~240 volt.....as transformers get expensive to run 24/7 and sometimes they blow. So far there's only one thing I run in my house that is run off a transformer and that is a beautiful Technics stereo amp I bought in 1999 that I don't want to part with, so I power it via xformer.

Leave clocks, fans, timers, kids toys/radios that are US powered. Make sure the wife/girlfriend checks her blow dryers and curling irons for dual voltage, otherwise an easy mistake to make plugging them in...they smoke really quick.

Bring any car performance items that might be heavy to ship, maybe order winter tires/rims before you leave as that will save you $200-300 later in shipping....and here in Germany everyone has winter or all-season tires but real winter tires rock....so change them out every October and March, saving your high-performance tires for summer.

Pick up spare oil filters, anything specialty for the car. As this is the land of BMW, you can get anything you want but it will be euro spec and normally cost twice what you'd pay in the US.....in euros, euros, euros.

Bring a spare set of car care products that you use....like the armor all rim protector spray (AAFES doesn't sell it) or clay bars and waxes...sure you can order but sometimes takes up to a month to get...and many placed don't ship to APOs. So bring what you can in HHG.

But most importantly, you should definitely bring a large format printer

OK, enough for now.

Keep the questions coming, lots of good guys/gals with great ideas and suggestions on the European forums.

Rikx135
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      08-02-2011, 12:32 PM   #4
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When are you going there? And what part? I can't wait till I get there! I'll hopefully see all of you when I get there.
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      08-02-2011, 02:36 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikx135 View Post
Wade,

The big questions is...will you live on-base in base housing/dorms or off-base?

Most on-base quarters have both 110 and 220 outlets, at least those I have been inside have both. If you live off base, it's a no-brainer.....look for the 100~240 (auto adjustable) symbol or 100-240 (self switching) on your electrical stuff. If it doesn't have that, then leave it/sell it.

My US lamps worked with german bulbs and a plug adapter but lightweight wiring on cheap lamps many burn out....I use some and own some German lamps, no big deal.

Most computers are switchable and a printer can be powered off a low voltage transformer that you can easily unplug when not using.

Leave frigs, washing machines, dryers, big cabinets, big tube TVs...heavy stuff. You can get some great free stuff from the military or buy it. Everything in the PX/BX is flat screen now anyways.

Personally I live off base and as a DA civilian, knew that coming over. When I found out I was coming here, anything electrical I bought I made sure was 100~240 volt.....as transformers get expensive to run 24/7 and sometimes they blow. So far there's only one thing I run in my house that is run off a transformer and that is a beautiful Technics stereo amp I bought in 1999 that I don't want to part with, so I power it via xformer.

Leave clocks, fans, timers, kids toys/radios that are US powered. Make sure the wife/girlfriend checks her blow dryers and curling irons for dual voltage, otherwise an easy mistake to make plugging them in...they smoke really quick.

Bring any car performance items that might be heavy to ship, maybe order winter tires/rims before you leave as that will save you $200-300 later in shipping....and here in Germany everyone has winter or all-season tires but real winter tires rock....so change them out every October and March, saving your high-performance tires for summer.

Pick up spare oil filters, anything specialty for the car. As this is the land of BMW, you can get anything you want but it will be euro spec and normally cost twice what you'd pay in the US.....in euros, euros, euros.

Bring a spare set of car care products that you use....like the armor all rim protector spray (AAFES doesn't sell it) or clay bars and waxes...sure you can order but sometimes takes up to a month to get...and many placed don't ship to APOs. So bring what you can in HHG.

But most importantly, you should definitely bring a large format printer

OK, enough for now.

Keep the questions coming, lots of good guys/gals with great ideas and suggestions on the European forums.

Rikx135
Thanks for the tips guys. I definitely plan on finding a place off base with a garage if possible. I think I'll probably sell most of the electronics except the lamps and computer. I've been looking for an excuse to buy a new TV anyway. Thats good advice on the oil filters, car parts, and car care products I didn't think of that. Ugh I guess I have to plan on getting some snow tires soon too.....which means finding some winter wheels also. I don't even have my new summer wheels/tires mounted yet.

Either way I think I'll be taking a giant printer with me.

How expensive is furniture over there, is it comparable to the states? I may just sell some of my bigger stuff here and start over when I get there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HondaGoneRogue View Post
When are you going there? And what part? I can't wait till I get there! I'll hopefully see all of you when I get there.
I'm going to Spang and should be there around the end of Oct. Does Tank Rat=Fuel cell?
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      08-02-2011, 02:37 PM   #6
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Yup! I'll be there March 2013!
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      08-02-2011, 02:41 PM   #7
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Yup! I'll be there March 2013!
Ha Ha nice! I'm GAC, GCS, IFCS or your arch nemesis depending on which airframe you're working on . Looks like you will be getting settled just in time for spring.
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      08-02-2011, 02:49 PM   #8
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Yup! And I seem to be the only fuels guy that gets along with specs hahaha.

I may be there this fall for a week or two. Sure won't be car season though haha.
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      08-02-2011, 03:37 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swadeness View Post
How expensive is furniture over there, is it comparable to the states? I may just sell some of my bigger stuff here and start over when I get there.
Depends on what you're looking for. You'll be up the road from Belgium where there are some nice furniture stores that sell to service members and also deduct the 19% VAT (Value Added Tax) from their sales. Nice living rooms and / or bedrooms and what not can be had for about 4-6K$. But be careful of the euro because the rate right now is sort of sucking.
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      08-02-2011, 05:03 PM   #10
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You might want to consider selling your 135 stateside and getting a 1M/M3 when you arrive in Germany...not sure if you got yours through the program.

http://www.spangdahlemyardsales.com/

Not sure what you'll use to call home once you get over there, but a magicjack works great and it's free calls.

Start learning german, although everyone speaks english, it'll pay dividends.
Go to the movies in Luxembourg, drive safe on the B50, eat a doner kebab for me and ...

Enjoy the travels!
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      08-12-2011, 03:28 AM   #11
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You do qualify for the military sales program. Hit me up if interested!
Rikx135i knows me as well....
(I am an hour away from Spang)
Oh and bring some Tampa,FL weather with you, will you?
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      08-12-2011, 07:17 AM   #12
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I just bought my 135i through Pentagon last year while I was deployed. I kicked myself for awhile for not doing European delivery with it. But since I get to take it over there with me now I guess its all gonna work out. I'll try and get some of this hot, muggy, rain and thunderstorm type weather to come with me but I don't think it is going to cooperate.
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