Are power strips a good idea for travel?
 

We just joined the digital age last Xmas and are now facing our very first trip toting a digital camera, Kindle and MAYBE an iPad.

I'm aware I'll need to purchase an adapter (after I figure out the voltage requirements of my lot), but wondered if a power strip would work to recharge things all at one time... we'll just be in France this time around.

Based on reading earlier threads, it sounds like I will not need a surge protector ... correcto?
Thanks all,
Diane

I have a US one with a purchased French plug adapter. I charge my scooter, my phone and my rechargable batteries, all at the same time.

110VAC power strips can be dangerous if they have circuit/surge protection, LEDs, or on/off switches as all of these items are very unlikely to be rated at 220VAC. 220VAC device wiring is typically smaller (or of a higher gage) than what is used on 110VAC devices so a 110VAC strip itself without these features is most likely OK to use.

Most of the items you mention (MP3 players, cameras, laptops, or mobile phones) use dual voltage transformers (110-220VAC) meaning you need nothing other than an plug adapter or an power strip with a plug adapter.

A strip is a good idea for several reasons, not the least of which is that most hotel rooms have very few available plugs and today´s tourist has a lot of items to recharge. I use a strip specially designed for international use. It is very light weight and modular meaning you can use a power cord terminated with the plug of your choice:

http://www.europlugs.com/Wonpro_cata...wer_Strips.htm

Yes! The best travel idea ever - I read about it here.

I purchased the two items below. Using one available plug outlet, I then had four US style outlets and used it to charge four items at the same time: ipad, macbook, digital camera batteries, and cell phone. Previously, I was taking four separate adapter plugs with me and hunting for available sockets. From now on, I will take the travel power strip with for trips within the US too.

Travel Power Strip: 4 Outlets

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG.../dp/B000F9YN2M

One European Adapater Plug (Schuko)

http://www.amazon.com/VCT-VP-11B-Gro...2201044&sr=1-2

I'm with davispeets, I read about it here and bought one and also use it with a plug adapter....wish I could find one with a european plug !! Who was it that shared this wonderful idea???

Mine is bigger and heavier, I like davi's better, I might have to order another one.

We just returned from Europe and used it to plug in an ipad, 2 iphones and a camera, all on one table, it was great. Usually we have one thing plugged in to every outlet, some places don't have many outlets so we have to keep switching them out.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Powe...202179&sr=1-39

Here's one someone recommended. I think I'll order it before our next trip.

http://www.amazon.com/VCT-USP600-Wor...sr=1-1-catcorr

I was thinking of picking up a power strip in Europe. Shipping to Canada costs big $$$ - I did look at the ones on Amazon and elsewhere online, but the cost was way too high when shipping was added.

This is the one I have:

http://www.amazon.com/Outlets-To-Pow...2208553&sr=1-1

Lightweight with regular outlets and USB ports. I use separate adaptors.

Just ordered the one davispeet suggested - thanks!

You should defitely get one. We did and it was the best travel item we ever bought. See my trip report for my write up:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-pompeii.cfm

Scroll down to March 7 at 4:34.

If you want to see a picture it it fully loaded, keep on scrolling down to my Switzerland pix (part 1) and go to about the 11th picture.
We charged our camera, iPad, iPod. And iPhone all at once. Once there was no extra outlet in the room so we unplugged a lamp, plugged in the power strip and plugged the lamp into the strip!

I bought this one and then just use an adapter plug for which country I need.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Belkin+-...61622&st=power strip&cp=2&lp=42

Very helpful...you guys are great!!

Tomorrow I'll look through the links and go into decision-making mode.(Now if I only knew how to use the fancy parts of my new camera---guess the power strip can't help with that :-)

Thanks all!
Diane

Handy looking device and a decent price... but here's what I got as a Canadian when I went to buy it:

Items: $7.45
Shipping & Handling: $32.49

I've bought lots of things over the years from the US but 32 bucks for shipping? What a joke.

$32 for shipping is ridiculous! I would never do that either.
The one I bought was around $26 through Amazon with free shipping, but I'm in the US.

I forgot to say that I already had a set of adaptors from KMart so I can use this strip in any country with the appropriate extra tiny adaptor, which I rubber band to the plug on the strip so I don't inadvertently leave it in the wall when I unplug the unit to pack it.

Thanks for posting this question and all the subsequent great replies. I see one of these strips in my future!

Look: you probably do NOT need to buy a four-plug power strip. What you may be able to use is a USB power strip - your ipad, phone, Kindle and probably your camera (this was true for our camera, but it's relatively new) all have a USB port connection so that you can get a <b>four-port USB charger from iGo</b> and plug in all the gizmos at once to charge them. The iGo charger (we have two - a two-port and a four-port) is about the size of a deck of cards. Compare that to a power strip that will be at least twice the size.

And it was dual voltage so you only need a plug adapter, no converter.

Check your local Radio Shack, Fry's, Office Depot/Max, Staples, Best Buy, etc.

You can actually use a three-outlet EXTENSION CORD with a plug adaptor..buy it at Target, Home Depot, wherever....in fact you can power some of your stuff THROUGH your laptop

Sometimes I feel as if I've entered an alternate universe as I absorb changes that 8 year olds probably know intuitively. A laptop was not one of the digital deluge this go-round though.

would TSA consider this a "strip search" ;-)
Diane

Dukey - I seem to recall looking for an extension cord that would take the 240V voltage and couldn't find one, but I don't quite remember the details other than starting out that way and then turning to a power strip. Can you provide more info?

A 110v. extension cord should be more than adequate to handle 240v. current loads. Roughly, the higher the voltage, the greater the carrying capacity of wire of a given size. I realized this when I first saw the wiring size used in European homes. I thought I was looking at what we call "bell wire" here in the States.

Besides, the amount of current you will be using to charge your electronic devices should be very small, as they require little amperage. If you are using hair driers, etc., you may have a problem, but not for iPads.

I don't take a power strip, as most of them are too heavy and/or bulky. I just take a cheapo three outlet extension cord to which I attach an adapter to fit the foreign plug. The chargers plug into the extension cord. The cord is often very handy, because often the only usable outlet in the room is tucked behind a heavy piece of furniture, so the length of the extension cord brings the plug to a place you don't have to contort yourself to reach.