Need help: US outlets converted to NZ outlets.
 

Can anyone help me with where I can purchase in the US (Northern CA) an outlet converter for New Zealand? My husband wants to bring his laptop and I want to bring my hair drier. We had converters when we went to Europe and they worked great, but I'm not sure where to find one that matches up with the NZ plugs. Thanks!

Rachel

Hi Rachel -

Most laptops are 110/120v & 220/240v compatible. Look at the bottom of yours - if it states both, all you need is an adaptor for the plug, you won't need a converter. Same with your hairdryer, if the tag on the cord or the sticker on the hairdryer states its 110/120 and 220/240, you just need an adaptor, atlhough I kinda doubt it will be.

NZ outlets look this this:

http://no1guide.co.nz/about-new-zeal...plugs-738.html

Note that the third pin is a grounding pin, adaptors with two diagonal pins work also.

Radio Shack in the US should have what you need, and they'll be cheaper there than in NZ.

If you're bringing a digital camera or an IPOD with rechargable batteries, you'll need to make sure your battery charger is also compatible.

Rachel, unless you have a 110/240v converter, or your hairdryer is dual voltage (unlikely, I would guess) I'd leave the hairdryer at home - use hotel hairdryers and/or buy one in a NZ supermarket. If you plug a 110v device into a NZ outlet you'll probably fry it.

Thanks for the tip Neil. We're staying mostly in backpackers so I'll probably have to buy one in a supermarket.

Magellan's is always reliable for this sort of thing http://tinyurl.com/ydrzsqr although Radio Shack might be easier, if not more expensive http://tinyurl.com/6gcomv

Speaking of laptops, has you husband considered getting a netbook for this and other trips? You'll save a lot of weight and it can do e-mail, web surfing, handling digital photos and even phone calls via Skype. Mine (and I suspect most others) is dual-voltage so only a plug adapter is needed.