mdtravel

I have never taken any appliances with me on my trips to Europe. My camera always used disposable batteries so no cords needed there. I finally upgraded my digital camera to one that uses rechargable batteries, so I'll be needing some power in Europe.

Here is the camera I bought:
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php...roductNr=25527

What all do I need to buy to be able to safely charge the batteries for this camera in Europe? Again, I have no adapters nor knowledge of them at all.

Thanks for any help folks.

Gardyloo

The battery charger supplied with your camera will accept 240v line voltage (as used in Europe and most of the world). All you will need is a plug adaptor.

SalB

Presumably the previous poster checked your camera equipment and knows that it accepts 240 volts. It should say on your battery charger whether or not it accepts both 120 and 240 volts. There are still many battery chargers on the market without this capability so if you don't have it, shop around until you find it. You will also want to find a charger that works fairly quickly so you don't have to charge batteries for long periods of time. (One I bought in Italy that took 16 to 18 hours! Not fun.)

All electrical equipment is clearly marked with the voltage and more and more electronics are dual voltage.

The plug adapters are inexpensive and widely available at Target, Radio Shack, WalMart, many drug stores, most department store luggage departments and most luggage stores, not to mention travel catalogs. If you travel a lot, it is easier to get a package of adapters that will take care of most countries. The two prong adapter works in much of Europe but in the UK you need a different one. There is a universal adapter that takes the US 3-prong plug. Many only accept a 2-prong US plug. Check your plug and then go shopping.

Have fun. BTW, I always carry three sets of rechargeable batteries just in case!

Gardyloo

Yes, I checked.

mdtravel

Thank you SalB and Gardyloo...very very helpful. Just to make sure I understand I will repeat it back...very slowly.

I need an adapter.

That's it? No converter, just an adapter. Would one of you or someone else be so kind as to post a link to an adapter so I know what I'm looking for?

Intrepid1

Are you traveling on the Continent only or also in the UK? Receptacles on the Continent accept the so-called "Continental plug" which means two round pins and the adaptor you would need has those two round pins; the plugs used in the UK are completely different.

You can easily get adaptors at places like Radio Shack as well as Target, WalMart, etc., or any travel store where they will probably be a lot cheaper than at on-line stores such as Magellans or Travelsmith.

mdtravel

I would see myself traveling to the following countries potentially:
1. Italy
2. The UK / England
3. Germany
4. Austria
5. Netherlands

Is this the adapter that I would need for all of the above?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

Budman

These are the ones you need. The large 3-prong one is for the UK & Ireland.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

mdtravel

Cheers Budman!

Budman

Here's another site that is a little less expensive:

The GS-9 is the standard - get 2 of these.

The PB-12 is for the UK

The GS-20 is a good one to have if you are around any kitchen areas - it has the ground.

http://www.voltageconverters.com/plug_adapters.html

mdtravel

Thanks again Budman. I got three of the two prongs and two of the other two you recommended. I think I am set. Thank you again for your specific and useful help.

mdtravel

I think I am going to need a converter as well. Can someone recommend a good, reliable converter that they have used personally?

Robespierre

Choosing the correct converter depends on the electrical (electronic) characteristics of the device it's going to be used with.

<b>Transformer</b> converters should be used with low-current devices such as radios, battery chargers, and cameras. High-current transformers are available, but are impractically large and heavy.

<b>Switching</b> converters are the best choice for high-current devices, most of which have something to do with hair. Low-current devices (such as MP3 players) can be fried by a switching converter.

I avoid ancillary voltage-changers of <u>both</u> types whenever possible. It is always better to use something that was engineered specifically for a specific (range of) mains voltage/frequency.

mdtravel

So my digital camera charger is safe and a transformer sounds spotty at best. Perhaps I just need to be certain that when I buy my video camer that it can also transform the current.

kybourbon

mdtravel - Take a look at all your chargers and appliances that you plan to take - they will clearly state on them whether they are 120 only or 120-240. IF you have an appliance you want to take that is only 120 THEN you will need the converter.

See my post today on this thread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752953

You can look at the various converters on franzus.com but they will be about half the price at Walmart.

mdtravel

Thanks bourbon...I think I'll pass on the converter after reading that other thread. Much clearer now.

mpprh

Hi

a guide to various plug types and voltages : http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

Lots more travel info here : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/li...oc-links-0.htm


Bon chance

Peter

yeadonite

Thanks kybourbon for the other thread. Both are really helpful but I just want to confirm.

My Dad and I are bringing a few appliance for our vacation in the The Netherlands. He also bought a digital and wants to make sure he does not blow it up (I have done that before) We need to examine our appliances to see the voltages and then make a determination on what we need. Is that correct?

Robespierre

If the appliance is dual-voltage, all you need is a plug adapter.

If the appliance draws low current, you want a transformer converter.

If the appliance heats up, you want a switching converter.

Intrepid1

Do yourself a BIG favor and don't take any &quot;appliance&quot; to Europe that <b>isn't</b> dual voltage or has a charger that accepts current up to 220. That's one of the reasons they make such items.