Travel Power Strip

I am an engineer (otherwise, not train). Doing the math, this power strip will support your immersion heater since a 240v item drawing 500w will require just over 2 amps to be able to function and the strip is rated at 10 amps.

More than I would need when I travel, but I noticed they have a smaller one as well with half the sockets. Might get one myself.

Hi Frank,

I'm not an engineer but will be following your post.

I'm just wondering... Since you've been traveling with "a multi USB charger and a cheap extension cord", what prompted you to upgrade to a power strip (other than the fact that your charger broke)?

Is it imperative to use a surge protector when charging electronics such as cell phone and tablet?
I do have surge protector power strips at home but have not taken one when I travel.

What do you think?

This Power Cord Splitter solved many problems for me, in Europe, Asia, and South America. It is on the bulky side though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000083KIH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mark--the smaller strips have less power than I need.

Priscilla--I'm not really interested in the surge protector. I wanTed something that could replace the extension cord. This device also replaces my usb charger. Don't bring anything to Europe with surge protection unless it is rated for 220/240 volts.

I just recieved the smaller one today from Amazon. Guess I better check the specs for both sizes. I haven't used my immersion heater for years, but was thinking to resurrect it. Good thread. Thanks.

Frank II,

I don't wear an iron ring either, but was in the electrical trades for many years.

I wasn't able to find any detailed spec's on the power bar but from what I could see in the link you provided, it looks like a good product. It's nice that the two AC outlets are designed to accept a variety of plug types. I suppose 18 AWG on the AC cord is adequate, since it won't be handling the higher currents typical in North America, and the power strip appears to be fused at 10A.

I'm a bit puzzled about the statement that it has an "Radiation Protection IC"? I'm not sure "radiation protection" is needed in this type of product? I wonder what type of "radiation" they're referring to? Given the 100-240 VAC power rating, I'm assuming the surge protection is designed to operate on both North American and European voltages.

Priscilla,

Do not use Power Strips with surge / RFI / spike protection designed for use in North America when travelling in Europe! They will most likely self-destruct in a spectacular display of sparks and smoke as soon as they're plugged in (and possibly cut power to a portion of the hotel at the same time). You can however use a plain, no frills power strip in Europe.

I just found this on Amazon, thanks to the link above: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JA4NT5Y/ref=crt_ewc_title_srh_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1ZBK2R68GTGXR. It's perfect for me--all I have to charge is my camera battery, one phone, and one iPad. This is perfect and doesn't need an additional adapter. I mostly go to Central Europe so I'll cross the adapter bridge later on if I need it for a future trip.

This is the one I received yesterday
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00X3K00NQ/ref=pe_3034960_233709270_TE_item
one of the images allows you to read the details on the back that might allow you to determine whether it will accept the Immersion Heater but it seems so.

Thanks Frank , and Ken for the explanation!

I will not bring a surge protector as I only need to charge my phone and perhaps my tablet if I decide to bring on my trip.

Thanks again!

Frank - you should have no problems as long as your total wattage is lower than the cord or your electrical source. In this case it is.

I see one potential problem with the device. The USB ports are rated 4.2 A total. That means that you are limited.

Short explaination: in general, you have 3 different USB devices. Phones usually take 1 A. Tablets usually take 2.1 A. Netbooks usually take 3 A. Your cord can only take a total of 4 A. That translates to 4 phone type items or 2 tablets. The max on this cord is 2.1 A per port so it can't take a netbook.

I have no idea what electronics you are traveling with. It would be enough for me, but not enough to share with others.

Cindy,

"Netbooks usually take 3 A. "

What brand of Netbook are you using? I've never seen any Netbooks that were chargeable via USB. My Netbook charger has an output of 19 volts / 1.58 amps. so can not be used with USB chargers.

I don't have a netbook.

I only have two devices that might need daily charging: a small tablet and a phone. Everything else is occassional charging and won't be a problem--ereader, backup battery, folding bluetooth keyboard, noise cancelling ear buds.

I take a small backup usb charger anyway so I am all set.

Ken - I have an old Asus T100. I usually don't travel with it (just use the phone). I can use a 2 A USB but it slowly drains the device. I need a 3 A USB to keep it 100% charged in use. That said, for limited work (1-2 hours per day) a 2 A charge works. I paid $250 for it 3 years ago and it is still chugging away.

The T100 charges via a micro USB plug.

Cindy,

Thanks for the information. I've never encountered a Netbook that can be charged using USB. I'm assuming it came with a charger, so you could just pack that along on the trip.

The ASUS T100 is technically not a netbook. It is a 2 in 1 tablet. (I have the newer model T102). It is charged via a USB but, as Cindy mentioned, needs more power than a standard usb charger.

I took it on my last trip and thought it was a pice of x&$%. (I have switched to an android tablet and much prefer it.) This was my third ASUS machine and I was really disappointed. I still use it at home when I need windows but I try not to.

Frank II - it's a netbook because a) it runs Windows and b) the keyboard is physically connected via hardware instead of Bluetooth. It's also a tablet because it has touchscreen and I can pop the screen off. As noted, it has two operational modes.

Here is a review

Over 90% of my blog was created on the Asus.

I agree that Asus quality has gone down in the last few years. I'm not sure I would replace what I have with another model.

Ken - it has a special 3 A charger. It is fairly light because there is no power brick - just USB cord. At the cafe I just plug my device into my USB Power pack.

I like the size. I can even slip it into the back of my 16 L pack when I'm traveling ultra light. Except that i usually go phone only under those conditions.

The main failure point is that the Micro USB connection wears out on the charging cord. I've had to replace the cord twice. During those times I've done slow charge via my 2 A USB charger.

Cindy,

I've never heard of a computer being supplied with just a charging cord and no charger. Since it requires a 3A charger, I wonder what other users do if they don't have a USB power pack?

I use a Toshiba NB-205 Netbook, and while it's not exactly as speedy as my MAC Powerbook at home, it's sufficient for E-mail, etc. while travelling. It has a conventional 350 GB HD so also serves for photo storage.

My ASUS T102 came with a charger. It's the size of a single usb charger just more powerful. No brick and only two prongs.

Hey Ken, if you note I said charger not cord. That said, my statements were ambiguous enough to cause confusion. I can use the Asus with a 2 A charger and a micro USB cord. The battery in the ASUS slowly drains while in use under these conditions. It also takes longer to recharge when off.

I back up the Asus with a Seagate Backup Plus. For photos I almost always use my iPhone and back up with a SanDisk iXpand drive. So easy to use! So tiny!

" there is no power brick - just USB cord."

I guess I misunderstood. I couldn't envision why they didn't provide a dedicated power source to work with the USB cord. Thanks for the clarification. That still seems to be an unusual power system for a Netbook, but if it works for you, that's the main thing.

Ken, you're thinking the old style heavy netbook. The one Cindy and I are talking about are tablets with detachable keyboards.

I had the old style of netbook and it weighed twice what the 2 in 1 tablet weighs.

The Asus is a netbook. It has things like USB ports which can accept portable DVD players, hard drives, mouse, and USB to Ethernet. I've used all 4 types on mine. The ability to accept peripherals makes it different than a tablet. And again, it has a keyboard attached though a physical contact, another distinction from a tablet. You also power it on to use it instead of keeping it in sleep mode. Another distinction is that the windows portion runs programs, not apps.

I almost always use mine like a laptop running Windows. Excel sheets and PowerPoint presentations are the hardest because of limited screen space. That said, I've done it.

Yes, there is a tablet portion that runs apps. I don't use it much except for Netflix.

Mine had a light plastic case. Computer and cord weigh 2.6 lb. That includes the keyboard.