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OT travel power adaptor
Hi all ;
I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. |
OT travel power adaptor
On Friday, January 27, 2017 at 10:32:35 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. There are 3 categories of converters 1) plug adapters that are small plastic adapters that only adapt the physical plugs and do nothing to change the voltage. You can use these ONLY for devices that can accept 240V as you noted. 2) adapters that are small transformers that weigh about 2 lbs and resemble a large wall wart. They are rated for about 50 Watts. You should use these for small electronics that need 120V and cannot tolerate 240 V. This is what you need. These are the safest to use on small devices. Do NOT use this for a high wattage appliance like a hair dryer. 3) adapters that use some solid state stuff like a lamp dimmer to reduce the voltage. These are usually rated for many 100s of Watts but should be used ONLY with heaters and incandescent bulbs. DO NOT use these with electronics. I would not even use one of these for anything, too risky. If you have #1 converter and #2 device be very careful. If you plug in a device that needs #2 into a #1 converter, it will kill the device instantly. There will be no second chances, instant death. Hope this helps, Mark |
OT travel power adaptor
On 1/27/2017 10:34 AM, wrote:
Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. According to this guy, you only need an adapter to fit European sockets since the European voltage is dual voltage. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...ers-converters I'm uncertain of it's validity. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus |
OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 08:09:48 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Friday, January 27, 2017 at 10:32:35 AM UTC-5, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. There are 3 categories of converters 1) plug adapters that are small plastic adapters that only adapt the physical plugs and do nothing to change the voltage. You can use these ONLY for devices that can accept 240V as you noted. 2) adapters that are small transformers that weigh about 2 lbs and resemble a large wall wart. They are rated for about 50 Watts. You should use these for small electronics that need 120V and cannot tolerate 240 V. This is what you need. These are the safest to use on small devices. Do NOT use this for a high wattage appliance like a hair dryer. 3) adapters that use some solid state stuff like a lamp dimmer to reduce the voltage. These are usually rated for many 100s of Watts but should be used ONLY with heaters and incandescent bulbs. DO NOT use these with electronics. I would not even use one of these for anything, too risky. If you have #1 converter and #2 device be very careful. If you plug in a device that needs #2 into a #1 converter, it will kill the device instantly. There will be no second chances, instant death. Hope this helps, Mark Thanks Mark. My earlier searches found only the adaptors or the big 5 pound transformers - rated for ~ 200 watts - but I went back online and did find a couple "converters". links below. They are rated 1600 - 1800 watts - the online description seems to confirm that they are meant for appliances only - " most irons, hair dryers, and clothes steamers " .. not electronics - as you warned. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ma...1905p.html#srp http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/co...8950p.html#srp http://www.voltageconverters.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=VC200W John T. |
OT travel power adaptor
On 1/27/2017 12:01 PM, Retired wrote:
On 1/27/17 11:19 AM, Meanie wrote: On 1/27/2017 10:34 AM, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. According to this guy, you only need an adapter to fit European sockets since the European voltage is dual voltage. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...ers-converters I'm uncertain of it's validity. --- NNNNOOOO... What he said was the "gadgets" today are dual, NOT the electric supply lines in Europe !!! Quote: "Today's *gadgets* are "dual voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. " Yep, that went over my head. Thanks for clarifying. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus |
OT travel power adaptor
[snip]
What he said was the "gadgets" today are dual, NOT the electric supply lines in Europe !!! Quote: "Today's *gadgets* are "dual voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. " I have some (newer, IIRC) power adapters that are marked "Input: 100-240VAC". -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.us/ "Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." -- Martin Luther |
OT travel power adaptor
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OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:08:39 -0500, wrote:
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 08:09:48 -0800 (PST), wrote: On Friday, January 27, 2017 at 10:32:35 AM UTC-5, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. There are 3 categories of converters 1) plug adapters that are small plastic adapters that only adapt the physical plugs and do nothing to change the voltage. You can use these ONLY for devices that can accept 240V as you noted. 2) adapters that are small transformers that weigh about 2 lbs and resemble a large wall wart. They are rated for about 50 Watts. You should use these for small electronics that need 120V and cannot tolerate 240 V. This is what you need. These are the safest to use on small devices. Do NOT use this for a high wattage appliance like a hair dryer. 3) adapters that use some solid state stuff like a lamp dimmer to reduce the voltage. These are usually rated for many 100s of Watts but should be used ONLY with heaters and incandescent bulbs. DO NOT use these with electronics. I would not even use one of these for anything, too risky. If you have #1 converter and #2 device be very careful. If you plug in a device that needs #2 into a #1 converter, it will kill the device instantly. There will be no second chances, instant death. Hope this helps, Mark Thanks Mark. My earlier searches found only the adaptors or the big 5 pound transformers - rated for ~ 200 watts - but I went back online and did find a couple "converters". links below. They are rated 1600 - 1800 watts - the online description seems to confirm that they are meant for appliances only - " most irons, hair dryers, and clothes steamers " .. not electronics - as you warned. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ma...1905p.html#srp http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/co...8950p.html#srp http://www.voltageconverters.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=VC200W John T. The third one on your list is what you want. The "tell" is it can convert both ways - which means it IS a transformer. Excellent price too - Again - do NOT use it for hair drier, clothes iron, etc - 200 watts MAXIMUM -so no more than about 1.5 amps @ 120 volts (which is 180 watts) |
OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 11:19:42 -0500, Meanie wrote:
On 1/27/2017 10:34 AM, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. According to this guy, you only need an adapter to fit European sockets since the European voltage is dual voltage. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...ers-converters I'm uncertain of it's validity. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus European voltage is NOT dual voltage. What he's saying is (he misses the MOST) electronic gadgets are dual voltage. Hoiwever, if they do not say "dual voltage" or "input voltage 100-240" they are NOT dual voltage and will toast very quickly when plugged into a euro socket. Some earlier equipment was dual voltage but not auto switcdhing - you needed to flip a switch. Either get a "universal voltage" charger for the devices you need to use, or buy the transformer. I took a transformer with me when I went to Zambia in the seventies, and bought universal voltage chargers for my devices for my travels over the last 25 or more years. |
OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:22:44 -0500, Meanie wrote:
On 1/27/2017 12:01 PM, Retired wrote: On 1/27/17 11:19 AM, Meanie wrote: On 1/27/2017 10:34 AM, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. According to this guy, you only need an adapter to fit European sockets since the European voltage is dual voltage. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...ers-converters I'm uncertain of it's validity. --- NNNNOOOO... What he said was the "gadgets" today are dual, NOT the electric supply lines in Europe !!! Quote: "Today's *gadgets* are "dual voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. " Yep, that went over my head. Thanks for clarifying. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus And he forgot to insert that important word "most" or "many" or "some". |
OT travel power adaptor
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OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:22:18 -0600, Mark Lloyd
wrote: [snip] What he said was the "gadgets" today are dual, NOT the electric supply lines in Europe !!! Quote: "Today's *gadgets* are "dual voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. " I have some (newer, IIRC) power adapters that are marked "Input: 100-240VAC". And I also have some very recent devices that say "input 120 volts 60 hz" which would not work properly even with a trransformer (they would draw too much current on 50hz) Virtually all 100-240 devices will work equally well on 50 or 60 hz. |
OT travel power adaptor
On Fri, 27 Jan 2017 13:49:04 -0500, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 1/27/2017 10:34 AM, wrote: Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? Are there better adaptors available that reduce the voltage ? or some other option ? John T. I think you are reading something wrong. There are dozens of them available from Amazon, Target Staples, etc. Europe has a two pin plug but half that is the US voltage so it takes the juice off of one side. You can get 110 from their 220, but when they say it does not change voltage you cannot get 220 from the USA 110 sockets. I think I paid $10 for mine some years ago. Newer ones have USB ports too. From what I have read online and here Mark's reply - the most common ones are merely " plug adaptors " - they come with the warning that they do not convert voltage - ie they deliver 220 volts to your device. The ones that convert voltage but are not true, heavy transformers need to be used with caution - as per these instructions : http://www.conaircanada.ca/pdf/en/ibs/en_TS702CRC.pdf ... not meant for any device that contains electronics ; nor devices with ground fault protection; nor power strips .. John T. |
OT travel power adaptor
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OT travel power adaptor
Op, for you 120v camera battery charger, you need #2 type, the transformer
type. There are small 50 watt ones that are like wall warts. Mark |
OT travel power adaptor
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OT travel power adaptor
Hi all ; I am planning a vacation to Ireland and shopping for a travel adaptor. All the ones that I find online state that they do not convert the voltage - which is OK for the laptop converter - which will accept 240 volts 50 - 60 hertz ; and OK for USB charging ; - but what about other 120 volt devices like my camera battery charger - that are 120 volt input ? How old is that. Are you sure it doesn't work on 240. I just bought this real cheap battery charger, with two batteries, auto plug, and european adapter for iirc $14 and it runs on 100-240 I have only the nameplate on the devices to go by - these are chargers for Ni-MH AA AAA batteries - both of my everyday units were 120 volt - but I dug around the house and found a third one that is 100 - 240 volt so I'm good, now. If I were to judge them by apparent "build quality" - I would say the older 120 volt units are better built - heavier weight, thicker plastic, stronger metal contacts... probably the reason that they were my everyday units. John T. |
OT travel power adaptor
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OT travel power adaptor
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