two pronged or three pronged plugs for Italy??!!!

Tracy,

It would help to know whether your Son's Nintendo uses a two or three prong Plug? Also, have you verified that the Nintendo Charger is designed for use on 230 VAC electrical systems?

I normally travel with a couple of two prong Euro Plug Adapters (two round pins) and these work well. If you're going to order these on the Net, you might have a look at www.magellans.com as they have a lot of information on their site regarding Plug Adapters, etc. and of course they sell them. Rick's Travel Store also has Plug Adapters.

Happy travels!

Wow, Thanks for the quick reply. My son has an American Nintendo DS -lite. The adaptor in question is one which was purchased in Italy to adapt American Nintendos to Italian plugs. That sounds perfect except that the seller noted it has two prongs on the wall plug, and I was led to believe that I would need a 3 pronged plug to plug it in in smaller/older/ ie cheaper, hotels. This is why I am confused.

Anybody know which plug type is needed?

EU=2prongs
UK=3prongs
I dont konw why Cell phones, DVD player and iPod worked with the adapters, but the Nintendo DS lite would just not take a charge with the USA charger.

David,
Thanks for your reply, but there is also a 3 pronged (all in a straight line) plug that is also apparently used in italy, so I'm still trying to figure out if an EU charger with 2 prongs will work all over Italy -even in theses supposedly extant places in Italy with a 3 pronged plug?

I was in Sicily in May-June, and most outlets were two pin (that seems to be the norm still). There were some new three pin adapters for sale in an electronics place, and I THINK (but not sure) that they're going to a three-pin system (much as the US did quite a few years ago). I don't remember seeing any place with the three-pin sockets, however.

The two-pin adapters worked well everywhere I went, and I think they would still work with the three pin system.

Ok, Ok, 1000 pardons for all of you who tired to help. I'M THE MORON HERE! I finally got it. If my appliance here has a 3 pronged grounded plug here, then I will need the 3 pronged grounded plug there. If not, as in the case of a Nintendo, then no worries with a two pronger! Duh! I get it now. Thanks again for your help. And thanks for the reference to the Magellan site. It was there, reading basically an idiot's guide to electricity 101 that I had my epiphany. Thanks again,
Tracy

Just be careful because the number of prongs may match, but the voltage might not be the same.

On the American DS Lite charging cable that came with the device, it will either say some thing like "INPUT: 120V" which means it needs a voltage transformer because the power being supplied is too high for the device...

Or it may say something like "INPUT 100-240V" if the device is dual-voltage, and that means it does not need a voltage transformer. It would still need the plug adapter to plug in to the wall.

Happy travels!

it's TOTALLY confusing becasue they use both in Italy and appliences you buy there can be either. adaptors are easily found in any and all electronics shops...they call the grounded ones "German" plugs...so ask for a "Tedeschi" (or just show them the plug and they'll get you one) They shouldn't cost more than 2 euro or so.

Thanks again all for your suggestions. If I buy a European 2 pin nintendo charger/adapter then the voltage should be fine. It has already been test driven and I was able to find it by reading the posts of someone who had bought one and posted on this forum!
Thanks again,
Tracy