Aerobed Use in Europe
Sep 24th, 2011, 04:57 AM
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Aerobed Use in Europe
Has anyone used an aerobed in Europe with a converter? I would like to bring the kids aerobed to Paris for my 5 yo daughter. We are staying in an apartment and I think she will be most comfy in this bed. The pump says: 120 VAC 60 Hz. We have a converter/transformer. I would hate to carry the bed all the way there and then have it not work.
Sep 24th, 2011, 06:36 AM
#4
The last time I used a converter in Europe I literally blew out the electrical system on an entire floor of the hotel I was in.
You say "all" of the beds meaning there are at least two or are there THREE? If the latter I'm not sure the rationale but whatever, be careful using any converter/transformer and goodluck
And btw have you asked HER about this or is her opinion she not to be considered/unknowledgable?
You say "all" of the beds meaning there are at least two or are there THREE? If the latter I'm not sure the rationale but whatever, be careful using any converter/transformer and goodluck
And btw have you asked HER about this or is her opinion she not to be considered/unknowledgable?
Sep 24th, 2011, 07:32 AM
#5
You actually want to lug an inflatable bed to France? And the bed linens needed?? If the apartment sleeps enough people for your family - then there will be a place for her to sleep. And if it doesn't sleep enough people, you probably wouldn't be allowed to set up an aerobed?
You can't exceed the apartment's occupancy
You can't exceed the apartment's occupancy
Sep 24th, 2011, 09:34 AM
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Hi S
>The pump says: 120 VAC 60 Hz. We have a converter/transformer. <
You will need a converter.
We need to know the wattage or the number of amps for the aerobed and the transformer..
You could trip the circuit breakers or worse.
>The pump says: 120 VAC 60 Hz. We have a converter/transformer. <
You will need a converter.
We need to know the wattage or the number of amps for the aerobed and the transformer..
You could trip the circuit breakers or worse.
Sep 24th, 2011, 09:42 AM
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Seriously? That's about the strangest thing I've ever heard. If the apartment doesn't have a space for her to sleep, you're breaking the rules. If it does, she'll be fine sleeping in it. And what do you mean the beds are small? A 5-year-old doesn't need a big bed.
Sep 24th, 2011, 11:08 AM
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This seems like an incredibly bad idea. If whatever you have "blows" the electricity in the building you will be VERY unpopular - as well as having to pay a small fortune to fix it.
If the apartment has a bed for her, why can;t she sleep in it? If she needs a larger bed - as in a double air bed - don;t count on there being anyplace large enough to put it. And why would a 5 year old need more than a twin bed?
Typically it's appliances that heat or cool that cause problems (a friend blew the electricity of a small old hotel in Rome by insisting on using her very high wattage hair dryer - despite notes that the outlet was to be used only for shavers. They tracked her down and asked her to leave - and pay for the damage. But it does depend in part on how much power the appliance pulls versus what that outlet is wired to provide.
If the apartment has a bed for her, why can;t she sleep in it? If she needs a larger bed - as in a double air bed - don;t count on there being anyplace large enough to put it. And why would a 5 year old need more than a twin bed?
Typically it's appliances that heat or cool that cause problems (a friend blew the electricity of a small old hotel in Rome by insisting on using her very high wattage hair dryer - despite notes that the outlet was to be used only for shavers. They tracked her down and asked her to leave - and pay for the damage. But it does depend in part on how much power the appliance pulls versus what that outlet is wired to provide.
Sep 24th, 2011, 12:05 PM
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Let me give you another suggestion if you really want to take an inflatable bed with you.
We have a seven year old great grand-daughter. Until last year we had a blow up Disney Princess matress that she slept on at the side of our bed. It was very light and quite comfortable for her. It really was not difficult to inflate. We blew it up manually by blowing into it.
I believe that I saw in Costco a display for child bedding of this type.
This might be a better solution for you. Good luck.
We have a seven year old great grand-daughter. Until last year we had a blow up Disney Princess matress that she slept on at the side of our bed. It was very light and quite comfortable for her. It really was not difficult to inflate. We blew it up manually by blowing into it.
I believe that I saw in Costco a display for child bedding of this type.
This might be a better solution for you. Good luck.
Sep 24th, 2011, 02:23 PM
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Geez, tough crowd. Thank you for the suggestion Sher.
My question related to the voltage. As I wrote, this is a child size inflatable bed that is not heavy and fits into a duffle bag or suitcase. It comes with a soft fleece sheet. It is not large to take but, of course, I don't want to take it if it won't work. I didn't even think of blowing out the electricity in the building but certainly would not want to do that.
"Why?" Because we have learned through experience that although our kids sleep well at home, they have trouble in new places and end up in the bed with us. We are renting a two bedroom apartment with a full size bed in each. The five year old is a restless sleeper and my husband and I thought that whomever ends up with her will get kicked all night sleeping with her in a small bed and we'd be more comfortable with her next to us in her own bed. Not a tragedy if the inflatable bed doesn't work out, there is plenty of room in the apartment. We just thought that since it isn't that heavy and fits well within our baggage allowance, we'd be more comfortable taking it so she had her own bed.
My question related to the voltage. As I wrote, this is a child size inflatable bed that is not heavy and fits into a duffle bag or suitcase. It comes with a soft fleece sheet. It is not large to take but, of course, I don't want to take it if it won't work. I didn't even think of blowing out the electricity in the building but certainly would not want to do that.
"Why?" Because we have learned through experience that although our kids sleep well at home, they have trouble in new places and end up in the bed with us. We are renting a two bedroom apartment with a full size bed in each. The five year old is a restless sleeper and my husband and I thought that whomever ends up with her will get kicked all night sleeping with her in a small bed and we'd be more comfortable with her next to us in her own bed. Not a tragedy if the inflatable bed doesn't work out, there is plenty of room in the apartment. We just thought that since it isn't that heavy and fits well within our baggage allowance, we'd be more comfortable taking it so she had her own bed.
Sep 24th, 2011, 03:33 PM
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Sally,
We are not really trying to be a tough crowd. Most of us on this Forum are a but older, have dealt with our own kid's fussyness while on trips, and are confirmed light packers.
Face it, the kids might be a bit nervous sleeping in strange places, and no one likes to deal with a cranky youngster, but they have to adapt just like us grownups. In our household, climbing into bed with us to kick us all night is NOT an option. Lugging anything along that makes us have to check a bag is also not an option. Certainly carrying an electrical appliance that would either not work, or get us in trouble would not be worth it.
In your case it seems the only real problem is the electric air pump, and it's need for a converter. If you must bring the mattress (read blankie) can't you just bring the mattress and blow it up manually?
We are not really trying to be a tough crowd. Most of us on this Forum are a but older, have dealt with our own kid's fussyness while on trips, and are confirmed light packers.
Face it, the kids might be a bit nervous sleeping in strange places, and no one likes to deal with a cranky youngster, but they have to adapt just like us grownups. In our household, climbing into bed with us to kick us all night is NOT an option. Lugging anything along that makes us have to check a bag is also not an option. Certainly carrying an electrical appliance that would either not work, or get us in trouble would not be worth it.
In your case it seems the only real problem is the electric air pump, and it's need for a converter. If you must bring the mattress (read blankie) can't you just bring the mattress and blow it up manually?
Sep 25th, 2011, 12:47 AM
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sorry that you got such a hard time here.
this little pump will not blow up the whole building. ignore irrelevant stories about high draw hair dryers in shaver outlets. this is completely different from what you are talking about. a small pump has a light draw but motors designed for 60hz work poorly under 50hz as you cant convert the hz. converters only convert the volts. this could damage your pump (kill it outright or just create more wear on it). therefore there is no straight answer to your question. the risks are pretty small - either it wont provide enough power to do the job or worst case you ruin the pump. most likely it will work good enough for one or two uses like this. dont worry about stories about someone's friend's cousin who plunged a whole arr into darkness with an american curling iron. i have also heard that people who travel to other countries wake up in bathtubs with their kidneys removed.
not sure if it is an option for your bed but the manual option is not a bicycle pump (made for small air volume but high pressure) but rather a bellows style footpump that puts out a lot of air and is made for inflatable mattresses and other things that need a lot of air at relatively low pressure. probably less than $10 and light weight. as long as the bed has a large valve, it should work fine.
this little pump will not blow up the whole building. ignore irrelevant stories about high draw hair dryers in shaver outlets. this is completely different from what you are talking about. a small pump has a light draw but motors designed for 60hz work poorly under 50hz as you cant convert the hz. converters only convert the volts. this could damage your pump (kill it outright or just create more wear on it). therefore there is no straight answer to your question. the risks are pretty small - either it wont provide enough power to do the job or worst case you ruin the pump. most likely it will work good enough for one or two uses like this. dont worry about stories about someone's friend's cousin who plunged a whole arr into darkness with an american curling iron. i have also heard that people who travel to other countries wake up in bathtubs with their kidneys removed.
not sure if it is an option for your bed but the manual option is not a bicycle pump (made for small air volume but high pressure) but rather a bellows style footpump that puts out a lot of air and is made for inflatable mattresses and other things that need a lot of air at relatively low pressure. probably less than $10 and light weight. as long as the bed has a large valve, it should work fine.
Sep 25th, 2011, 01:21 AM
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Oh pulleaze people! i am of the "a bit older" crowd too , but can hardly believe all the lecturing. It's none of our business why Sally WANTS to bring the bed, as it is her child and her and husband's comfort, she is concerned with. I daresay SHE knows her own child better than do any of us. She asked for advice about voltage and converters, not child-rearing.
Sally, i noticed your thread because i am planning --GASP--something similar. I booked two hotels booked on Priceline, and as Janice J has correctly pointed out on other FF threads, there's no guarantee of getting two beds (since PL bookings are officially for two--which i missed when booking, forgetting it is different on Hotwire ). So, one of the grandsons may have to sleep on the floor, if I cannot get a two bedded room--assuming they even have one available, which is unlikely
I didn't want to take an airbed which required a pump. After much research I found the item below. It is light, gets good reviews, self-inflates (theoretically) has a "built-in"pillow, and should be perfect for your 5 yr old. My (very lean) 14 yr old grandson is sleeping on it if necessary. It is called the Simply Sleeper Self-inflating Sleeping Pad. There are different sizes. I got it on Amazon for $38.00 There is a youtube demo too online.
Not sure about other airlines, but Virgin Atlantic lets you take a free piece of sporting equipment--which this is considered as--in addiiton to your one free checked bag.
Sally, i noticed your thread because i am planning --GASP--something similar. I booked two hotels booked on Priceline, and as Janice J has correctly pointed out on other FF threads, there's no guarantee of getting two beds (since PL bookings are officially for two--which i missed when booking, forgetting it is different on Hotwire ). So, one of the grandsons may have to sleep on the floor, if I cannot get a two bedded room--assuming they even have one available, which is unlikely
I didn't want to take an airbed which required a pump. After much research I found the item below. It is light, gets good reviews, self-inflates (theoretically) has a "built-in"pillow, and should be perfect for your 5 yr old. My (very lean) 14 yr old grandson is sleeping on it if necessary. It is called the Simply Sleeper Self-inflating Sleeping Pad. There are different sizes. I got it on Amazon for $38.00 There is a youtube demo too online.
Not sure about other airlines, but Virgin Atlantic lets you take a free piece of sporting equipment--which this is considered as--in addiiton to your one free checked bag.
Sep 25th, 2011, 01:29 AM
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I just returned from two weeks in Paris, the last week in a Paris Prefect apartment with my adult daughters and a few friends. The apartment sleeps seven but includes 2 people in a queen sized bed. We inquired about renting a roll-away bed so two of us wouldn't have to share. They suggested we go to BHV and buy an aerobed.
Our plan was to buy the aerobed, Paris Perfect was willing to provide linens, and we were going to leave it for the agency to loan out. One more friend decided to join us so two people stayed at a hotel and we didn't need the aerobed after all.
I think I'd prefer to buy one there and leave it rather than carry one.....probably not a huge expense in the overall cost of the trip (if you must have one)
Our plan was to buy the aerobed, Paris Perfect was willing to provide linens, and we were going to leave it for the agency to loan out. One more friend decided to join us so two people stayed at a hotel and we didn't need the aerobed after all.
I think I'd prefer to buy one there and leave it rather than carry one.....probably not a huge expense in the overall cost of the trip (if you must have one)
Sep 25th, 2011, 11:20 AM
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Buying on in Paris is a much better idea - if you really need one. As for putting the whatever type of bed on the floor for a grandson - the hotel may object to your putting 3 people in a room for 2, if there is room they may rent you a rollaway bed (probably would NOT want you bringing your own bed) assuming the room is large enough to accommodate it.
(I've been in inexpensive doubles - in my younger days - where the only place to put your luggage was on the floor and you had to walk on it to get to the bath.)
(I've been in inexpensive doubles - in my younger days - where the only place to put your luggage was on the floor and you had to walk on it to get to the bath.)
