Electric Conversions
 

Hello all. I just purchased a digital camera in anticipation of my trip to Ireland in mid April for 8 days. While in the process, I asked the salesman about electric conversions and if I could use this with a converter. I have never traveled across the Atlatic before and this is really troubling me because I am not too sure how I am supposed to used a digital camera with no power to charge its batteries! The charger has just a regular 2 prong attachment. Any suggestions?

Try this site for info. http://kropla.com I'd *assume* it's "dual voltage" (check the manual for 110v/220v info) and all you would need is just the plug adaptor. But what do I know:), a tourist in Rome asked me to take their picture with one last March and I thought it was a video camera:))). Regards, Walter

I just went to Paris with my new digital and had the same worries. I purchased an adapter (not a converter) but was worried it might get fried. It didn't and everything was fine. I got the adapter at the drugstore.<BR><BR>I will try to pull up the old thread also as there was excellent info on it!

Go to Walmart and buy an electrical adapter kit. <BR>It costs about $15 (in the travel section)and has 4-5 different plugs in it as well as a voltage regulator to keep the current over there from frying your stuff.<BR>You will need this to use any American appliance, like curling irons or hair dryers.<BR><BR>The adapter plug for Ireland is a clunky three pronged one.<BR>Enjoy your trip.

Europeans have a more modern electrical system because they electified later than the US. It's all 220 volts, but with a madening array of different plugs.<BR><BR>Don't mistake plugs for transformers. If you insist on taking electrical appliances to Europe, then you will need a converter for appliances that don't have a switch between 110 and 220. The way it works is you buy a bunch of different plugs and find the one the fits. Then if you need a converter, you insert the converter into the US end of the plug and insert the US appliance into the converter. Now is that clear.<BR><BR>What you don't want to do is take an appliance that requires an inordinate amount of electricity like a hair dryer. If it's switchable to 220 fine, then all you need is the plugs. But if it's strictly 110 you'll need a very large, very heavy, very expensive converter. It makes more sense just to buy a new hair dryer.<BR><BR>So if your battery charger is switchable between 110 and 220 great. All you need are plugs. If not you also need a small converter. Chargers require very little power, so you can make do with a little converter.

By the way, it's a misconception that a large converter will fry a small appliance. It doesn't work that way. However, a large appliance will fry a small converter. It'll just get hot and melt.

You can also get the adapter at a Staples, or online at Staples.

There is a big difference between an electric "converter" and a "transformer." Before you fry your equipment see my page at http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/11-301.htm.

We were in Italy last September.<BR>My laptop (HP), CDRW Portable Writer (Sony) and digital camera (Fujifilm) all have those little power bricks - A/C plug on one side, DC low voltage out. Read the fine print on the power brick carefully - if it says 100V-240V (and 50Hz-60Hz) then it works in Europe. All my devices did.<BR>All you need is an ADAPTER - this just converts round plug copper to flat plug copper - no active electronics, very small. The CONVERTER converts 240V to 120V, has active electronic stuff inside. Plug too much into one and it smokes (I know).<BR>