McAllister, just buy a dual-voltage hair dryer/curling iron and a a plug adapter. Very common in drugstores. Then no converter is necessary. Most other equipment -- like battery rechargers -- span a range of voltages and will handle 220 as well as 110. So once again all you need is a plug adapter. For more information then you'll ever want: www.kropla.com/electric.htm

The newer converters switch from high to low wattage and operate 0-2000. Curling irons/flat irons require this type. Weighs less than 1 lb.
http://www.franzus.com/page/FOS/PROD...CONV/TS-2000-1

I carry adaptor plugs along with a dual voltage hair dryer and a curling iron. Have not had any problems with them in Europe or Asia. The curling iron converts automatically, but the hair dryer has a setting that is easy to change with a coin.

In Vienna I decided to use the hotel's hair dryer. Sparks flew all over the bathroom, and one of the sparks burned a spot in the tiolet seat. The hotel's hair dryer didn't work after that fireworks display, so I was glad to have my own hair dryer to use.

Robespierre: Can you tell me if I truly need a surge protector for my laptop in Europe? (I called HP and was told that I need one, but I sometimes think there is a language barrier when you talk with someone in India) and I thought I remembered your saying that surge protectors were not necessary for Europe??
Thanks

Your laptop's AC adapter/power supply will protect it against anything a surge protector will. But one of those little "wall wart" suppressors will give some level of protection to your power brick. I never use one (that's my version of living on the edge).

Thanks Robespierre. I am going to Walmart today so I will check them out.

You can always buy a European 220v hairdryer and curling iron (amoungst other things) from these guys:

http://www.houseof220.com

Apres, Thanks for posting this link! Have you purchased anything from this company?

Robespierre: Checked Walmart and they did not have a suppressor. Could you please tell me what I am looking for? Is it the same as a surge protector and is it heavy or big for packing? No one knew what I was looking for and the surge pr. were way to large for packing. IMO

Thanks for your help.

Whatever you buy, don't use this uncertified 220/240V illegal crap you can buy in the US. Look for the "CE" mark. It's not only about producer guarantees for safe operation, but using illegal stuff will make YOU (and only you) responsible for the damage that might be caused. You wouldn't want that, would you! For all others who jump out of an airplane without parachute, telling themselves "Up to now all went well" every few seconds, go ahead but remember electricity kills!

End of sermon

I also confess to have fried a circuit or two in Europe using my curling iron!

Wall <u>w</u>art, not Wal-Mart. Like this:

http://www.electronix.com/catalog/images/45-106.jpg

lucy_d: Yes, I recently bought two 220v Braun hairdryers and a dual voltage Oster travel iron (in person, not via mail order).

This store has been around for forever, and they have more than what's shown on the website. Just tell them what you want, and where you'll be using it (ie I also needed UK plug adaptors)

For hairdryers, they have a handful of brand names and different wattages. They also have things like curling irons, electric razors and toothbrushes, radio alarm clocks, almost anything you can think of.

I'm so glad I'll have a *proper* hairdryer with me on this trip, and the iron, too. Smooth hair and pressed clothes make me happy

Oh wow...This brings back memories. I was 16 when I took my first trip to Europe (Russia and the Baltic States) and was with a large group of high school students. I, too, experienced the melting curling iron...But only after burning off my bangs!! I think we were in our second hotel of the trip - in Estonia. I plugged my curling iron in (I believe that I plugged it in correctly with the adapter, but it didn't come with instructions, so I could have done it incorrectly) and realized that it heated up very quickly, so I went ahead and used it. I picked it up in my right hand, held my bangs in my left hand, clamped it on to my bangs and began to curl when all of a sudden there was a cloud of white smoke and when I pulled the curling iron tight, it came right away from my head with my bangs fried to the curling iron! My roommate had a pair of embroidery scissors and helped me cut some more of my hair into bangs to hide the mess I made, but in order to cover up the burned ends of hair, I had to keep using the curling iron. During our last week of the trip, I believe in Moscow, I plugged it in and it finally melted into two pieces - the metal part just separated from the plastic part. So, I left that curling iron in Moscow. Another student caused the lights to flicker in the hotel in Estonia when he plugged in his camcorder battery charger. On this next trip to Europe, I certainly won't be bringing a curling iron or even a hair dryer, but I will have battery chargers for my camcorder and digital camera. I just ordered a new 0-2000 converter and am hoping that I don't melt anything, destroy the batteries/chargers, or bring the lights out/start any fires at our hotels. The chargers appear to be dual voltage, but I'm still a bit fearful.

I purchased a dual voltage flat iron (made in Italy) at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and it worked fine in Prague, Paris, London with just a plug adapter.

I was going to order on-line first but it was turning into a hassle and I didn't want to buy a flat iron that only worked in Europe since I have enough crap in my bathroom without a collection of styling tools for every continent.

Apres, Thanks for the information!

&quot;I just ordered a new 0-2000 converter and am hoping that I don't melt anything, destroy the batteries/chargers...&quot;

<font color="red"><b>WARNING!</b></font> A <i>converter</i> might well zap a charger/adapter. You should use a <i>transformer</i> for low-power devices such as this. Short course:

<b>Adapter</b> - allows US plugs to fit European or British sockets
<b>Transformer</b> - allows 110V electronics up to about 100W to use 220V current
<b>Converter</b> - allows 110V appliances that heat up to use 220V current

This is what I have ordered:

http://tinyurl.com/278a3q

I am taking a battery chargers for the following:

1. Digital camera. Back of charger says: Input: AC100-240V then beneath that says 50-60Hz 8-12VA

2. Camcorder. Back of charger says: USA &amp; CANADA 120V~ FOREIGN 110-240V~ 50/60Hz 19W

3. T-Mobile Blackberry. Back of charger says: INPUT: 100-240V~ 50/60Hz 0.2A

Based on what I think I understand, it seems to me that I just need to use the adapters, but I'm not sure.

Will the item I ordered cover the use of each of these things? Do I use only the adapters (both London and Paris)? Do I use the converter? Do I set the converter on high or low?

Thanks for looking out for people like me who have no clue about this stuff.

I purchased a curling iron in Eroupe a few years ago. It was much more costly then the $10 dual voltage at Traget and quit working after two weeks.

Next time I took the $10 dual voltage from Target. It's on it's third trip along with daily use here. It works fine and I have not blown any fuses. (And I stay at 2 star hotels so I do sometimes wonder about the wiring LOL!)

My advice buy the el cheapo dual voltage here. If it quits then you can waste your money in Italy buying one.

Last week, I purchased a GE Dual Wattage Foreign Voltage Adaptor, Model AV23611. The Dual Wattage Converter has a switch for 50W and 1600W.

Turn the switch to 50W for electrical appliances requiring 50 watt maximum power (small TVs, video cameras, electric razors, stereos, notebook/laptop computers, etc.) Note: No heat producing appliances.

Turn the switch to 1600 watts for use with heat producing appliances requiring 50 to 1600 watt power such as blow dryers, travel irons, coffee makers, etc.

The set also comes with an assortment of plug adaptors. It also cautions you not to plug in computer equipment and the like when the 1600 watt heat producing mode is selected.

I think I paid about $25 for the kit.