electric heating coil?
Mar 17th, 2005, 05:51 PM
#21
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You could use a portable DVD, cellphone charger, portable radio etc. with the Walmart $15 converter. You must not use big TVs, hairdryers, cettles etc. Its not the size but ALlWAYS wattage.
It may work, but if you start a fire, no insurance will cover you. If you exceed specificatins by 10-20% it shouldnt be a problem. No $15 converter can do 1800 Watts, if it says so, its faked.
It may work, but if you start a fire, no insurance will cover you. If you exceed specificatins by 10-20% it shouldnt be a problem. No $15 converter can do 1800 Watts, if it says so, its faked.
Mar 17th, 2005, 06:30 PM
#22
Oh sorry! I was wrong! I just looked at my converter and it's not rated 50-1800 watts it is rated 25-1875 watts and is made by Franzus under the Travel Smart brand with a low setting for 0-25 watts for shavers, radios, curling irons and a high setting for 26-1875 watts for hair dryers, irons, steamers, etc. Mine is old but the newer models are 25-2000 watts.
http://amos.shop.com/amos/cc/pcd/870...6423/ccsyn/260
http://amos.shop.com/amos/cc/pcd/870...6423/ccsyn/260
Mar 17th, 2005, 07:00 PM
#23
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If it works, its great and still a bargain at $39.99. Its a switching power converter 500 Watts might work as well. 2000? Unfortunately for me these things are (still) illegal to use in the EU. Id buy one tomorrow. 
Mar 17th, 2005, 08:39 PM
#24
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"I've never burnt out anything and use them all the time in Europe (as well as hairdryers). I don't stay in real cheap hotels, though, they might have wiring problems"
Just because Christina hasn't had any problems doesn't mean that many, many other people haven't burned up or shorted out hairdryers, imersion heaters, and other appliances.
A hair dryer is iffy - I've had several dual voltage ones over the years and they work about 70-75% of the time. But I would NEVER use a cheap US immersion heater - just waaaaaay too dangerous. If your hotel room doesn't have a kettle then you can always go out and buy one locally
Just because Christina hasn't had any problems doesn't mean that many, many other people haven't burned up or shorted out hairdryers, imersion heaters, and other appliances.
A hair dryer is iffy - I've had several dual voltage ones over the years and they work about 70-75% of the time. But I would NEVER use a cheap US immersion heater - just waaaaaay too dangerous. If your hotel room doesn't have a kettle then you can always go out and buy one locally
Mar 17th, 2005, 09:15 PM
#25
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Personally I thank the people here that have expressed their thoughts regarding safety versus saving a few dollars.
Having been in the insurance business for many years I cringe sometimes when I still think of tragedies (total destruction, deaths, terrible injuries etc.) due to people who just do not think things out or will not listen to safety advice.
When you are in a hotel you should not only think of yourself but of all the other individuals in that hotel. And I hate to say it but a lot of European hotels are not as fireproof as US hotels are.
I was in a hotel in Italy during my last trip and the fire alarm went off about 1:00pm. I had woken up and knew I was just one level from the street level with stairs close to me room. Fortunatly it was not necessary to evacuate the hotel. But the cause of the alarm was "someone" who had caused a small problem shall we say with an American appliance.
Please people, don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Listen to people here that have knowledge of what they are talking about. Safe travels to all.
Having been in the insurance business for many years I cringe sometimes when I still think of tragedies (total destruction, deaths, terrible injuries etc.) due to people who just do not think things out or will not listen to safety advice.
When you are in a hotel you should not only think of yourself but of all the other individuals in that hotel. And I hate to say it but a lot of European hotels are not as fireproof as US hotels are.
I was in a hotel in Italy during my last trip and the fire alarm went off about 1:00pm. I had woken up and knew I was just one level from the street level with stairs close to me room. Fortunatly it was not necessary to evacuate the hotel. But the cause of the alarm was "someone" who had caused a small problem shall we say with an American appliance.
Please people, don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Listen to people here that have knowledge of what they are talking about. Safe travels to all.
Mar 17th, 2005, 10:09 PM
#26
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Please don't under estimate the dangers of electricity as you all know harnessed it's the mother all all inventions, unharnessed its a Killer.
Generally cheap products are just that ...cheap. You get what you pay for in this game.
In Europe, every product electrical or non electrical has to carry a CE mark. This indicates compliance to the safety and EMC standards (Electromagnetic compatability)in force at the time of placing the product in to the market. However don't be fooled. Some unscrupulous manufacturers put CE marks on their product without doing any testing to the standards enforced by the country of sale.
So what can we do?
We must always buy product (especially electrical product) with 2 marks on at least.There are many to choose from BEAB,BSI,SEMKO,NEMKO,DEMKO,VDE are just a few and if a product has any of these marks then its fair to say that their design has been tested thoroughly and their manufacturing system has been checked.(As with UL in America)
However whilst manufacturers can design and test product to ensure safety and EMC are ok, they cannot always legislate for the most determined of idiots. ie those that own hotels with dodgy wiring and those that don't use things for the purpose for which they were designed.
Good Luck
Muck
Generally cheap products are just that ...cheap. You get what you pay for in this game.
In Europe, every product electrical or non electrical has to carry a CE mark. This indicates compliance to the safety and EMC standards (Electromagnetic compatability)in force at the time of placing the product in to the market. However don't be fooled. Some unscrupulous manufacturers put CE marks on their product without doing any testing to the standards enforced by the country of sale.
So what can we do?
We must always buy product (especially electrical product) with 2 marks on at least.There are many to choose from BEAB,BSI,SEMKO,NEMKO,DEMKO,VDE are just a few and if a product has any of these marks then its fair to say that their design has been tested thoroughly and their manufacturing system has been checked.(As with UL in America)
However whilst manufacturers can design and test product to ensure safety and EMC are ok, they cannot always legislate for the most determined of idiots. ie those that own hotels with dodgy wiring and those that don't use things for the purpose for which they were designed.
Good Luck
Muck
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:29 AM
#27
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I purchased an electric hot water pot while in Europe years ago. When traveling, I just pack it full of things like socks, so it really doesn't take up any room and I know it will work. I think I paid about $20 for it at a Tesco in London.
