GAAAAAAAAH. Need help from the experts re voltage converters/plug adapters.

[aggie94]

Why does traveling have to be so difficult?? We are hitting three countries next month that have different voltage, frequency, and plug requirements. For example, Hong Kong and Thailand are 220V/50Hz but their plug types include A, C, G, and M and sometimes a combo of two of those. Singapore is 230V/50Hz and uses G. :eek:

We own plug adapters from our trip to China a few years ago, so I'm covered there (assuming I can find them :rolleyes: ). In terms of voltage/frequency converters, is there a single device I can buy that will take care of all my potential plug-in devices regardless of where I go? I think most of the things I'm bringing, including my laptop, should (in theory) work so long as I have the right plug adapter, but who knows for sure. Many of our devices worked in China last time but did not work when we got home, so I don't want to break anything. I just want it to be EASY. :o

[sneezles]

I'm fairly certain that you can use the same plug for Hong Kong and Singapore (and I believe it's the same as the UK) :

http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/sites/all/modules/electric/outlet-type-d.png

And your standard voltage converter will work for all countries. You won't need the voltage converter for laptops or cell phones as they self convert...even my travel blowdryer self converts).

The standard pack of the converter and plugs should have any plug adapter you'll need:

http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/images/products-large/blowup-vm-3.jpg

[aggie94]

I'm fairly certain that you can use the same plug for Hong Kong and Singapore (and I believe it's the same as the UK) :

http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/sites/all/modules/electric/outlet-type-d.png

Okay, this seems right. Apparently most plugs in Singapore and HK are type G, the same as the UK. And I think my plug adapter kit should cover me on anything else.


And your standard voltage converter will work for all countries. You won't need the voltage converter for laptops or cell phones as they self convert...even my travel blowdryer self converts).

This is where I'm having serious confusion. On the stuff that does NOT self-convert, the voltage converter will take care of converting the voltage but does nothing for the frequency. How do I resolve that issue?

Also, I'll have to check on my various plugs to see what self-converts, but even some of the stuff that did in China stopped working as soon as I came back. Which is fine for a $10 cell phone charger but not so fine for a $70 laptop charger.

[sneezles]

Eva,
I'm at a loss for what to do about frequency conversion. I've never had a problem in the UK charging my laptop and then using it at home. Are you renting a car? You could use a converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter to charge both the laptop and the cell phone. I can't think of anything else that would have a frequency problem.

[sneezles]

Okay I just found this power converter (http://www.amazon.com/CONVERTER-CHARGING-CAMERAS-VTM-150GS/dp/B000N55XTK) on Amazon, maybe that's what you need since it for Europe and Asia?

[Romandub]

I don't know about the voltage converters. I've never used one and have had no trouble using my laptop, but I've only traveled to Europe, not Asia. As for the plug adapters, I bought a universal one and it works in all the different countries including Asia--according to the brochure. I actually bought it on the flight when they sell duty free because I was tired of trying to figure out which plug I needed for which country. Have fun on your trip!

[ellielk]

FWIW, I went to Morocco about a year and a half ago and took one of those universal converters because my travelling companion couldn't live without her hair dryer. Although the adapter had a plug that fit, it blew out the hair dryer - and my then (but no longer) friend blamed me and didn't speak to me for the rest of the trip. So, the moral of the story may be that although the plug may fit in the outlet, it might not be the best thing for your appliance.

[Romandub]

Ellieelk is right! I actually blew out a hair dryer, as well while traveling in Europe! Forgot about that. I haven't had problems with my laptop, but the dryer definitely didn't like the different voltage!

[sneezles]

I had forgotten about a friend who blew out her hair dryer with a converter. I've always traveled with a dual voltage hair dryer and my current one self converts (older models had a switch to flip).

[PamN]

I have no recent personal experience, but found this discussion (http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/12840/do-i-need-a-voltage-converter-as-well-as-a-plug-adapter.html) on Rick Steves' mb and thought it was a useful place to start.

Magellan's website has an Electrical Connection Wizard (http://www.magellans.com/store/util/ElecWiz?Internal_ID=EW?Args=) to walk you through what you need.

[JHaris]

While at a wedding two years ago in the area of Hungary near the Ukraine border, we stayed at a small bed and breakfast. I had all the supposedly correct converters and plugs..... I not only blew out three units of the establishment, but creamed my hot roller set. Luckily one of the guests across the walk who was a native, loaned me her hair dryer and I heated up the rollers with that.

After this incident I bought a hot roller set and hair dryer geared for european current and also got a water pik after finding the waterpik rep in Budapest. And it is not only the small towns with plugs and unusual voltages, because I blew out the whole floor at the Ritz Carlton in Paris years ago with a top of the line converter. After I called the concierge, I hid my hair dryer I was so embarassed:eek::( Even dual voltage appliances don't always do what they are supposed to do.

Magellens should be a big help in guiding you with plugs and converters. Remember that many outlets are recessed and you need a plug to fit into that and then use the converter. Many plugs just don't fit .....case of square peg in round hole. Very frustrating!!!