Electric Outlet Adapters for Travel

[Kel Varnsen]

Does anyone know where I should go to buy the little adapters I need for electricity when I travel overseas? Stores or sites are fine. Thanks.

 

[SouthNZoneFan]

Walmart has a great selection, but the airport also sells them once you are through the security. And the prices are not that much higher than walmart (50 cents more)...

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Walmart has a great selection, but the airport also sells them once you are through the security. And the prices are not that much higher than walmart (50 cents more)...

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

From what I've read, it looks like I have to get a plug adapter and a voltage converter. I guess if I get the wrong stuff now, I can look for the right one over there.

 

[Ryanwb]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

From what I've read, it looks like I have to get a plug adapter and a voltage converter. I guess if I get the wrong stuff now, I can look for the right one over there.

You going to Europe or something? They are backassward crazy over there

 

[Kel Varnsen]

You going to Europe or something? They are backassward crazy over there

I'm going to Ukraine and Hungary for a couple weeks.

I'm scared to death I'm going to fry anything that I need to recharge.

 

[Brian]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

From what I've read, it looks like I have to get a plug adapter and a voltage converter. I guess if I get the wrong stuff now, I can look for the right one over there.

If it's europe you are headed to they generally run 220/240 @ 50 hz. There are some other considerations you need to be concerned with. Many an appliance has become a several hundred dollar smoke generator by doing the wrong thing.

This website may prove useful to you, if you have any questions PM me and I'll help you out.

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm

BTW- this is the kinda crap I do for a living now (power generation and distribution, I'm an instructor at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Prime Power School). Real geek stuff.

 

[maddogkf]

I'm going to Ukraine and Hungary for a couple weeks.

I'm scared to death I'm going to fry anything that I need to recharge.

pppsssttt, dude - you don't have to fly overseas to pick up your mail- order bride. Shipping charges were included with your original order.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

pppsssttt, dude - you don't have to fly overseas to pick up your mail- order bride. Shipping charges were included with your original order.

Now you tell me!

 

[Kel Varnsen]

If it's europe you are headed to they generally run 220/240 @ 50 hz. There are some other considerations you need to be concerned with. Many an appliance has become a several hundred dollar smoke generator by doing the wrong thing.

This website may prove useful to you, if you have any questions PM me and I'll help you out.

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm

BTW- this is the kinda crap I do for a living now (power generation and distribution, I'm an instructor at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Prime Power School). Real geek stuff.

:notworthy

PM coming. Thanks, man!

 

[Brian]

Ok, I hope I don't get too long winded on this and since I don't know your level of expertise forgive me if I get too basic.

First, I would strongly suggest against buying a "converter" which rules out the universal kit. They are notorious for going bad and the way you find out is your electronics fry.

I don't know what your financial situation is like but if it were me (and I'm by no means wealthy) I would buy a transformer. A transformer is nothing more than a series of windings, A LOT of them. Electricity loses voltage the further it travels down a wire. i.e. if you start at point "A" with 110 volts, 200 feet down the line you will have something like 95 volts.
That is how a transformer works. 240 volts go in, it passes through a significant amount of wire that is all wound up inside the casing and voila, 110 volts come out. How much winding some guy in a white lab coat figures out.

Now, that being said, I would look at one of these:http://traveloasis.com/tcserstepups.html

The reason being, they are relatively cheap and much more reliable, they have a replaceable fuse (which would safely blow if something funky were to happen, thus protecting your equipment). Also, poorer european nations (like Hungary and the Ukraine) have less than reliable commercial power output i.e. fluctuating voltage, voltage differences from one building to the next, etc. The 100 watt and 200 watt transformers I suggested have "tap changers" on the back so you can maintain a constant 110 volt output depending on what the input is.

I would strongly encourage buying a cheap multi-meter at Lowes or Home Depot. Talk to the people there, tell 'em what you need it for so they don't try and sell you a $500.00 Fluke. The reason I suggest this is that once your transformer is plugged in you can check the output voltage. If its not what you want (too high or low) you can change the tap on the back.

One last thing, some of your equipment doesn't care what the input voltage is. I stress SOME, not all. For example, my electric razor says on the back 110/240volts 50/60 hz. Other than the plug configuration it is ready for European usage. Most things like this are clearly marked. If in doubt, use the transformer.

Hope this helps, again the transformer will last a very long time. If you do enough traveling, it is well worth the 40 bucks.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Ok, I hope I don't get too long winded on this and since I don't know your level of expertise forgive me if I get too basic.

First, I would strongly suggest against buying a "converter" which rules out the universal kit. They are notorious for going bad and the way you find out is your electronics fry.

I don't know what your financial situation is like but if it were me (and I'm by no means wealthy) I would buy a transformer. A transformer is nothing more than a series of windings, A LOT of them. Electricity loses voltage the further it travels down a wire. i.e. if you start at point "A" with 110 volts, 200 feet down the line you will have something like 95 volts.
That is how a transformer works. 240 volts go in, it passes through a significant amount of wire that is all wound up inside the casing and voila, 110 volts come out. How much winding some guy in a white lab coat figures out.

Now, that being said, I would look at one of these:http://traveloasis.com/tcserstepups.html

The reason being, they are relatively cheap and much more reliable, they have a replaceable fuse (which would safely blow if something funky were to happen, thus protecting your equipment). Also, poorer european nations (like Hungary and the Ukraine) have less than reliable commercial power output i.e. fluctuating voltage, voltage differences from one building to the next, etc. The 100 watt and 200 watt transformers I suggested have "tap changers" on the back so you can maintain a constant 110 volt output depending on what the input is.

I would strongly encourage buying a cheap multi-meter at Lowes or Home Depot. Talk to the people there, tell 'em what you need it for so they don't try and sell you a $500.00 Fluke. The reason I suggest this is that once your transformer is plugged in you can check the output voltage. If its not what you want (too high or low) you can change the tap on the back.

One last thing, some of your equipment doesn't care what the input voltage is. I stress SOME, not all. For example, my electric razor says on the back 110/240volts 50/60 hz. Other than the plug configuration it is ready for European usage. Most things like this are clearly marked. If in doubt, use the transformer.

Hope this helps, again the transformer will last a very long time. If you do enough traveling, it is well worth the 40 bucks.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Wow! Thanks for the response. Lots of good information.

If I go with the transformer, I'll just need a plug adapter, then? Does the wattage matter on the transformers, or will I be OK with just getting the least expensive one?

 

[Brian]

You should be good with just the plug adapters, that 3 piece one you showed me would be fine. I say that since it has the grounded and ungrounded plugs.

The wattage is based on the load. In other words, if you plan on running high load stuff like hair dryers, microwaves, curling irons, go with the 200 watt. If it's just low amperage stuff like cell phone chargers, electric razors, radios, 100 watts should be fine.

 

[Ryanwb]

I'm going to Ukraine and Hungary for a couple weeks.

Whoa, what is the purpose of yer visit?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Whoa, what is the purpose of yer visit?

Tourism, mostly. Do you know what Rotary is?

...but if I happen to meet a nice potential wife or two available at a reasonable price, who knows?

 

[thirty-two]

who knew HarleyRider was so smart? I sure didn't!

 

[Ryanwb]

Tourism, mostly. Do you know what Rotary is?

Is that where you have to cold call old people and convince them to buy Oxyclean?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Is that where you have to cold call old people and convince them to buy Oxyclean?

It's a worldwide service organization. I get to travel through one of their programs.

Is there really a group doing telephone sales of Oxyclean? If so, does it pay well?

 

[DeAnna]

who knew HarleyRider was so smart? I sure didn't!

Yeah, who woulda thunk a Harley rider knew all that geek stuff!

 

[Brian]

Women dig complicated men with simple answers.

I heard that somewhere....

So, I knew I had to start sleeping at more Holiday Inn Express'

 

[DeAnna]

Wow! and a good speller to boot! He put the apostrophe AFTER the second S in Express!

 

[Brian]

Wow! and a good speller to boot! He put the apostrophe AFTER the second S in Express!

Unlike BIM I find correct spelling neither invigorating or stimulating, but constant checking makes me feel enervated and worn.

(That hurt my head, I'd rather be me)

"Wild women and big boobies...I don't wanna talk about 'em I wanna see 'em!!!"

MUCH better!

 

[SouthNZoneFan]

Unlike BIM I find correct spelling neither invigorating or stimulating, but constant checking makes me feel enervated and worn.

(That hurt my head, I'd rather be me)

"Wild women and big boobies...I don't wanna talk about 'em I wanna see 'em!!!"

MUCH better!

Harley - I am sure that you had all of the ASFN ladies until that last comment...