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should I take a surge protector?

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Old Jun 6th, 2005, 09:43 PM
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should I take a surge protector?

I'll be charging the battery for my digital camera and already have a suitable adapter but will I also need a surge protector (I'll be visiting Kruger the Garden Route and Cape Town)?
Thanks.
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Old Jun 7th, 2005, 11:44 AM
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Most battery chargers are designed to operate at a wide range of input voltages and frequencies and are more immune than most electronics to small surges. It is as likely/unlikely (depending on how full your glass is) that you will experience a large surge on your trip as it is you'll experience one at home.
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Old Jun 7th, 2005, 02:33 PM
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We like to travel with 2 batteries for digital camera - that way one can be charging while other is in use - or if we have very heavy camera usage on a particular day. That will also give you "insurance" if some voltage blip harms one or prevents it from charging.
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Old Jun 7th, 2005, 07:10 PM
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Thanks! I just wished I had asked here sooner .... all those websites google spat out only confused me!
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Old Jun 8th, 2005, 12:37 AM
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If you don't bother with it in your home country, then don't bother with it in South Africa. The "unusual" is always possible (perhaps in both cases) so there are no guarantees. But local supplier Eskom as the 4th largest (in terms of output) electricity utility in the World, usually provides a good service.

It might be different if you are not in a very remote area that has to use a generator part of all of the time.
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Old Jun 8th, 2005, 12:41 AM
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My apologies, in the last sentence I meant to say "if you are in a very remote area". Take out the word "not".
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