Jen57

Just returned from Target where I picked up a "Dual Voltage" Conair curling iron to take to Italy. Open up the package, no dial to change from 110 to 240? It says that it "automatically" converts once it's plugged into an adapter, which kinda makes me nervous, lol! Looking @ the adapters @ Target, well, it was cheap junk, 5 adapters for $10.00, you get what you pay for!. I've called AAA about this whole adapter issue with a curling iron and they say you must use an 85 watt adapter for a curling iron. 50 watts is not enough and then the larger is just too much. Does anybody have this Conair Curling iron and have you used it Europe? I read all these stories about meltdowns and blowouts and if this is the case, I may as well return it and just purchse one in Rome.

Trophywife007

I've had a dual voltage curling brush that automatically converted and it was fine. You may need adapters for different plug outlets, but not a voltage converter.

OTOH, I have bought a blow dryer and flat iron in Europe for use there and am glad I did. They are very predictable in the way they work, as opposed to dual voltage dryers. I still need plug adapters, but they are not hard to find there.

If you are using an American dual voltage appliance it will be easier to find the appropriate adapters here. If using a European appliance, you'll find them over there. Sometimes you can find universal ones, but not all the time.

Good luck!

StuDudley

My wife has used the same exact Conair curling iron in France & Italy for well over 1 years worth of visits. There is nothing you have to do to make it work, except get the plug adaptor.

If you have an electric toothbrush, it also works without a voltage converter. Same with your PC, camera battery recharger, cell Phone recharger, and our iPod docking station (we have an 11 oz model).

We have not used a voltage converter in over 15 years.

Stu Dudley

ira

Hi J,

>I've called AAA about this whole adapter issue with a curling iron and they say you must use an 85 watt adapter for a curling iron. 50 watts is not enough and then the larger is just too much. <

I didn't know adapters came in various wattage ratings. Do you mean "converter"? You shouldn't need a converter.

>It says that it "automatically" converts once it's plugged into an adapter, ...

Try it at home before you take it to Europe.

Ninkette

Honestly, save yourself the worry and buy one over there. I bought a flat iron on my last trip and while it wasn't as great as my chi, I didn't have to worry about whether it would work or not (or whether I was going to ruin my nice flat iron from home).

Robespierre

My Philips SoniCare toothbrush and my sons' Nintendo DSes both require the use of a transformer.

Do not listen to the advice of anyone who says they've used such-and-such a device without any problems. After all, it ain't their money that can go up in smoke when you plug yours in. Always check the voltage rating on the appliance.

StuDudley

I've used my Braun electric toothbrush hundreds & hundreds of times in Italy & France without any converter/transformer. The first time I took it to France, I also brought along a transformer - thinking it needed one. The first time I charged it, I forgot to use the transformer and I expected it to go up in smoke - but it didn't and the toothbrush was charged without any problem. That was about 8 years ago - we spend 2+ months in Europe every year.

Stu Dudley

Barb

Can I use my US cell phone battery charger over there with just the plug adaptor? Would be nice to have my cell phone upon arrival back home to call the person who is picking me up at the airport if I am delayed, or early - HA!

Christina

The problem is that some people use the term adapter to mean converter. AAA has no idea that she already has a dual voltage curling iron, so they are talking about what you'd need for a regular 110V curling iron.

Lots of appliances don't have dials to change them, they sense it automatically somehow, but I've never read any instructions that claim it automatically converts once it's plugged into an adapter. That doesn't make any sense to me (but I'm no electrician). Does it really say those exact words? I would have thought it automatically converted when it started getting the voltage.

Five adapters for $10 is not cheap junk, they shouldn't cost hardly anything. I've bought them for only $1-2 a piece.

StuDudley

Barb - like I stated earlier, our cell, camera, iPod, and toothbrush rechargers all charged perfectly with just the plug adapter. In fact, the toothbrush seems to hold a charge longer than it does on 110 here in the US.

Our hair dryer is the only electrical device we take to Europe that needs to be "switched" to 240. All the switch does is keep the dryer on the low heat setting.

Stu Dudley

Robespierre

"Can I use my US cell phone battery charger over there with just the plug adaptor?"

<b>The correct answer is <i>&quot;I couldn't possibly know.&quot;</i></b>

Barb, as I have said REPEATEDLY - no one knows whether it is safe to use any appliance without looking at its voltage rating. Ignore any advice saying yes or no or &quot;my xxx worked fine.&quot;

I have a SoniCare toothbrush that only works on 110V, and a Siemens phone that takes 220V only. I also have several dual-voltage devices, and one that's switchable.

It's YOUR appliance that will blow up if you get it wrong - not some anonymous poster's.

(I can't believe I'm saying this - again.)

djkbooks

I have been taking the same model Conair curling brush with me to Europe for at least ten years. On the side, the raise print: 12//240 V AC and 50/60hz 125 W.

It it dual voltage, switches automatically, and has worked just fine in London, Paris, Russia and Switzerland.

MartaD

A few years ago I decided to buy a curling iron in Rome. It was an experience I would not care to repeat. First, they are not easy to find. Pharmacies do not carry them nor do most hair salons. Finally I found one at a hair salon. It was difficult to use. European curling irons do not have springs so you must manually open it, insert the hair,roll it and then squeeze it. I burned myself numerous times before I finally go onto it a bit. It never worked well and I ended up leaving it in the trash can at our last hotel.

Jean

Barb, my Blackberry charged up in Italy with no problem. All I needed was the plug adapter.

If you're concerned, you might try to ask your service provider or wherever you bought the phone. I say &quot;try&quot; because the concept of customer service is foreign to some companies.

lovesroses

bkmk

Barb

thanks, I will check with Cingular/Nokia just to make sure - if I can find someone who actually knows that is.

Robespierre

<b>DON'T ASK YOUR CELL CARRIER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE! THEY'RE WRONG MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME.</b>

The only sure way is to read the fine print on your charger - once you are certain you know what to look for.

Any other advice is potentially destructive to your charger and/or phone.

StuDudley

My Braun toothbrush recharger says 110-130 V ac. No mention of 220. Like I stated earlier, I mistakenly plugged it into the 220 in France about 8 years ago without the converter - and it charged fine - even better than on 110. It's worked perfectly in France, Italy, and England with over 40 charges.

The converter I purchased about 5 years ago to use with our hair dryer so that we could use multiple speeds, did not function at all.

Stu Dudley