We'll be in England for the month of May. We'll be carrying (1) small video camera (batteries will need charging), (1) point-&-shoot camera (batteries will need charging), (1) MP3 player (battery will need charging) and our GPS. The GPS will charge in the car (we're bring the cord), so that is no worry. But, does anyone have a recommended brand for a converter/adaptor for us to use for our other items? Maybe a link to one you've used succesfully from Amazon??? As we are doing strictly carry-on, we'd like to have the least amount of extras possible! Thanks, ever so much!!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Do not assume you will need a converter. Step one for you is to get out a magnifying glass and look at the "brick" (charging transformer) for each of the things you are bringing. If it says both "100-240 volts" and "50-60 Hz" you are set. These items are multi-voltage, and only need a plug adapter. Most electronic gadgets made in the past 5-10 years are multi-voltage, but obviously not all. You can get plug adapters in a variety of places, including Amazon, Magellan, and Rick's own Travel Store, where they are now on sale for $1 a piece: http://tinyurl.com/4dd4h. For England, you need the top one in the picture (the large 3 pronged one); the small 2 pronged one is for Continental Europe. Get several, since you not only have several devices, but they're easy to lose. If any of your devices are 110-120 volts (but not above 200) or 60 Hz (but not 50 Hz), you will need a converter, or (better) you can buy a new charger. And our regular poster Ken pointed out that outlets in England often have an on-off switch on them; make sure your device is actually charging once you plug it in.
Posted by
OP
Helena
117 posts
Oh, thank you! I checked all the devices and it would appear that none of them need a converter! I'll remember the info about the wall switch! Thanks, again!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Ken said the switch wasn't always on the wall, but near or on the outlet itself. Since the outlet might be behind a desk (for instance), he didn't always see the switch. After a mishap (the item "charged" all night but the power was off, so it didn't charge at all), he then learned to check specifically for it.
Posted by
Galt, Calif., UK
214 posts
I take a power strip with me so that I can charge multiple things at once.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Leslie, As Harold mentioned, you'll need to check EACH device that you'll be traveling with, to ensure they're designed for operation from 100-240 VAC. Look for the wording "Input Voltage" either on the charging cube or on the device itself. This is a fairly typical type of UK Outlet, with the switches mounted right at the outlet. Note that the left switch is in the "on" position and the right switch is in the "off" position. If any of your appliances use a three-pin (grounded) Plug, you may want to use a grounding UK Plug Adaptor such as this model from Magellans. While appliances will operate without the ground connected, I prefer to use it if the product was designed that way (a ground pin is typically used for safety reasons). DO NOT use a Power Bar if it has any surge or RFI filering, as it will self-destruct very quickly as soon as it's connected. Magellan's offers a small three outlet model which will tolerate operation at 220 VAC. Happy travels!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Ken, Thanks for jumping in and clarifying. That picture really makes it clear, and without your explanation, I could see how it would be easy to miss the switches.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Wow, Ken/Harold, thanks for the info re the switches on the plugs!