Hair Straightener for Europe!
Mar 8th, 2014, 05:48 AM
#22
>>>There are usually dryers in the rooms but they are always so bad and I have thick hair so like my own.<<<
I agree. I have thick hair and the dryers that are on walls are like someone blowing air through a straw to dry your hair. Would take forever. I take my cheap Conair folding hair dryer. It's dual voltage (1875 watts)so I don't need a converter. You do have to change the little button from 110 to 220 and run it on low, not high. Works great and has made many trips (remember to change it back before using it when you return home!). This is the one I use. The voltage button is just below the off/on. I have used this dryer on trips for years with no problems and I also use it at home daily.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...&aparam=147880
>>>Converters and high wattage devices do not go well together unless you pay for an expensive (and heavy) converter<<<
That's really no longer true. Years ago, converters only handled certain wattage usually 50-1600(you needed to check the wattage on the appliance you were going to use and make sure it was compatible). About 10 years ago, they started making hi/low converters with a switch (covered a bigger wattage range). Now they make them that automatically switch and cover wattage 0-2000. You just need to remember to operate any heat appliance on LOW. On low, it will operate as if on high.
This is the hi/low you have to switch.
http://www.amazon.com/Conair-TS2000-.../dp/B000H7K3C6
Auto switch.
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Smart-C.../dp/B0010BLVYC
I agree. I have thick hair and the dryers that are on walls are like someone blowing air through a straw to dry your hair. Would take forever. I take my cheap Conair folding hair dryer. It's dual voltage (1875 watts)so I don't need a converter. You do have to change the little button from 110 to 220 and run it on low, not high. Works great and has made many trips (remember to change it back before using it when you return home!). This is the one I use. The voltage button is just below the off/on. I have used this dryer on trips for years with no problems and I also use it at home daily.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...&aparam=147880
>>>Converters and high wattage devices do not go well together unless you pay for an expensive (and heavy) converter<<<
That's really no longer true. Years ago, converters only handled certain wattage usually 50-1600(you needed to check the wattage on the appliance you were going to use and make sure it was compatible). About 10 years ago, they started making hi/low converters with a switch (covered a bigger wattage range). Now they make them that automatically switch and cover wattage 0-2000. You just need to remember to operate any heat appliance on LOW. On low, it will operate as if on high.
This is the hi/low you have to switch.
http://www.amazon.com/Conair-TS2000-.../dp/B000H7K3C6
Auto switch.
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Smart-C.../dp/B0010BLVYC
Mar 8th, 2014, 08:59 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your advice. The trouble is, I'm going with a group of students with EF Tours and I don't think I'll have much free time to go out looking for one there. I would really like to bring one with me. It doesn't have to be great, I just want one to work.
Mar 10th, 2014, 02:23 AM
#25
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>Converters and high wattage devices do not go well together unless you pay for an expensive (and heavy) converter<<
AlanRow's advice is still correct. The solid state converters in kybourbon's link will damage electronic devices, and eventually any appliance with an electric motor. Those of us who live in Europe and use 110V appliances <b>always</b> have heavy-duty transformers. As a matter of interest, I just put a 1000W autotransformer I use in my home on my bathroom scales, and it weighs 18 lbs — you wouldn't pack that in your suitcase. ;-)
AlanRow's advice is still correct. The solid state converters in kybourbon's link will damage electronic devices, and eventually any appliance with an electric motor. Those of us who live in Europe and use 110V appliances <b>always</b> have heavy-duty transformers. As a matter of interest, I just put a 1000W autotransformer I use in my home on my bathroom scales, and it weighs 18 lbs — you wouldn't pack that in your suitcase. ;-)
Mar 10th, 2014, 09:00 AM
#26
>>> The solid state converters in kybourbon's link will damage electronic devices, <<<
Hair dryers/curling irons/flat irons are not electronic devices. Have used what's in the link with zero problems, but they are not meant for electronic devices or to be used continually such as an appliance(running something all day). I don't bother anymore with it since everything I now have is dual voltage.
Hair dryers/curling irons/flat irons are not electronic devices. Have used what's in the link with zero problems, but they are not meant for electronic devices or to be used continually such as an appliance(running something all day). I don't bother anymore with it since everything I now have is dual voltage.
Mar 10th, 2014, 10:32 AM
#28
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kybourbon, you left out part of my quote: "... and eventually any appliance with an electric motor."
A 240V hair curler or straightener would probably cost less than your Conair voltage converter, anyway, so what's the point in buying a more expensive converter? Most chargers for phones, cameras, tablets, etc are 100-240V these days, and only need adapter plugs (you need to check the specs to be sure, of course).
As an experiment I once tried using an electric window fan with one of those converters, and it damaged the motor within a few hours. I threw the converter in the trash. Usually the damage to an electric motor, e.g. hairdryer, will occur gradually, so it's not immediately noticeable, but will shorten its life. One only needs to read the 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon.com to see that many people have problems with them.
BTW, here is an example of a hair styler where the owners manual states:
<i>"13. DO NOT operate with a voltage converter."</i>
http://www.qvc.com/html/hb/pdf/InStyler_Manual.pdf
A 240V hair curler or straightener would probably cost less than your Conair voltage converter, anyway, so what's the point in buying a more expensive converter? Most chargers for phones, cameras, tablets, etc are 100-240V these days, and only need adapter plugs (you need to check the specs to be sure, of course).
As an experiment I once tried using an electric window fan with one of those converters, and it damaged the motor within a few hours. I threw the converter in the trash. Usually the damage to an electric motor, e.g. hairdryer, will occur gradually, so it's not immediately noticeable, but will shorten its life. One only needs to read the 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon.com to see that many people have problems with them.
BTW, here is an example of a hair styler where the owners manual states:
<i>"13. DO NOT operate with a voltage converter."</i>
http://www.qvc.com/html/hb/pdf/InStyler_Manual.pdf
Mar 10th, 2014, 05:33 PM
#29
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Health-Beaut..._ssn=verde1171
I bought a hair dryer from him for Germany. He has curling irons.
I bought a hair dryer from him for Germany. He has curling irons.
Mar 10th, 2014, 08:05 PM
#30
>>Hair dryers/curling irons/flat irons are not electronic devices. H<<
Hair dryers definitely do have motors. Yes, kyboubon, dual voltage appliances <i>usually</i> work. But trust me, all you need is one failure to change your opinion. I traveled w/ dual voltage hair dryers and curling irons and later flat irons for MANY years and 95+% of the time - no problem. But I've had two really dramatic failures - one melted, and one blew all the circuits in the guest house. (the other guests were not at all happy about that one). Two other times the hairdryer just stopped working and smelled like it was burning but no other damage . . .
So I completely solved the problem by buying a hairdryer and hair straightener overseas.
Hair dryers definitely do have motors. Yes, kyboubon, dual voltage appliances <i>usually</i> work. But trust me, all you need is one failure to change your opinion. I traveled w/ dual voltage hair dryers and curling irons and later flat irons for MANY years and 95+% of the time - no problem. But I've had two really dramatic failures - one melted, and one blew all the circuits in the guest house. (the other guests were not at all happy about that one). Two other times the hairdryer just stopped working and smelled like it was burning but no other damage . . .
So I completely solved the problem by buying a hairdryer and hair straightener overseas.
Mar 10th, 2014, 09:11 PM
#31
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>Heimdall on Mar 10, 14 at 2:32pm
As an experiment I once tried using an electric window fan with one of those converters, and it damaged the motor within a few hours. I threw the converter in the trash.</i>
See http://tinyurl.com/luva2b3 for reasons why travelers should avoid converters, especially since there are safer alternates.
As an experiment I once tried using an electric window fan with one of those converters, and it damaged the motor within a few hours. I threw the converter in the trash.</i>
See http://tinyurl.com/luva2b3 for reasons why travelers should avoid converters, especially since there are safer alternates.
Mar 11th, 2014, 01:22 AM
#32
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi spaarne,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for that very useful reference!
As I wrote, I only tried using the converter as an experiment on a cheap window fan, and quickly unplugged it when I saw signs that the motor was being damaged. I am an American who has lived in England for many years, but still have some 110V appliances which I use through heavy duty transformers scattered around the house. These are perfectly safe, as John Bermont wrote in your reference. Everything I use for travel is rated 100-240V 50/60Hz, so I don't need converters or transformers away from home.
I have a thing about Fodorites passing on bad advice, especially when it has safety implications. If kybourbon won't believe me, maybe she will believe John Bermont. BTW, have a look at the 1 and 2 star reviews in http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Smart-C...owViewpoints=1. If that won't put someone off voltage converters, I don't know what will!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for that very useful reference!
As I wrote, I only tried using the converter as an experiment on a cheap window fan, and quickly unplugged it when I saw signs that the motor was being damaged. I am an American who has lived in England for many years, but still have some 110V appliances which I use through heavy duty transformers scattered around the house. These are perfectly safe, as John Bermont wrote in your reference. Everything I use for travel is rated 100-240V 50/60Hz, so I don't need converters or transformers away from home.
I have a thing about Fodorites passing on bad advice, especially when it has safety implications. If kybourbon won't believe me, maybe she will believe John Bermont. BTW, have a look at the 1 and 2 star reviews in http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Smart-C...owViewpoints=1. If that won't put someone off voltage converters, I don't know what will!
