Help! I'm really trying to understand the adapter/converter/transformer concept...but...
 

Hi everyone, I have been reading everything I can find about adapters/converters/electricity/voltage, etc., but I guess I am a slow learner, LOL!!! I am hoping some of you great "tech gurus" will be able to help me out. As several others have said, I don't want to take a chance and do it incorrectly!

If I understand correctly, after checking my iPod, it should be ok with just a proper adapter. I have checked my new digitalcamera (an Exilim made by Cascio) and all the charger says on the bottom is:
"USB cradle CA-35 5.3V CE " --it doesn't say anything about input out output or Hz....I checked the manual (which in my opinion is worthless) and it does not say either. Any thoughts of where else to look? I need to be able to charge it each night. (avid photographer)

My hairdryer is dual voltage, so it will need only an adapter. My curling iron is not, so I am debating just not taking one and keeping it simple.

I am still confused about the adapters for Italy...on one website that one of you directed us, it listed Italy as 230V 50Hz and uses plugs C, F, and L. Does that mean I have to get all three or will the "Euro" adapter work in place of all of them--still confused.................thanks, in advance for your help.

Go to Walmart, they sell a kit there thatincludes transformer and all (?) of the adapters. I did that on the weekend.

If ever in doubt about whether some electronics is dual votlage or not, use the transformer, with caveat that it is not a high current item.

We were in Italy last month. I took both a convertor and adaptor. The adaptor I used had the 2 round prongs, whatever the correct code is I don't remember. Some of the outlets were recessed and it worked fine. My hair dryer is dual voltage, but it worked faster using the 120 with the convertor and adaptor. I charged my camera battery each night with just the adpator since it said 110-240 on the bottom of the charger. When in doubt use both the convertor and the adaptor. Does this help??

The adapter you will need for Italy is a 2 round prong adapter.

The USB charger would be one you plug into a computer, laptop or desktop, in order to charge.

The rest of it you basically have correct. Forget the curling iron. Buy one in Italy for 10Euro at a local market if you must have one.

The "5.3V" on your cradle means that it runs on 5.3 volts, so the power has already been transformed once (since you plug it into the wall, right?) It must have a "brick" at the other end, a big square dealie on the plug. Do you know what I'm talking about?

THAT brick will say what voltages it accepts. I'll bet it says "110V-240V" or something similar, under "INPUT" (it will also say "OUTPUT 5.3V" since that's what it's sending to the cradle itself).

As long as it says "240V" you will be OK in Italy without a heavy, bulky tranformer.

For the plug adapter, all you need is the one with two round pins, unless you are wanting to plug any three-prong plugs in (with ground); then you'll need the one with three round pins in a line. All the plugs you see will have three round holes in a row, but your two-pin adapter will fit in them (just like a two prong US plug will fit into a three-hole US wall socket).

This plug adapter should cost you a few dollars. If they're charging you $30 or more, you're probably getting a bunch of junk you'll never need.

Thank you Michael and fluff224. I guess what is confusing me is all the conflicting posts--for instance, Fodors editor Doug stallings said: "most of the items you mentioned here" [refering to another poster] he continues, "do not require voltage converters and I'd like to advise you NOT to take one. Converters" [I add: also called transformers, by some, if I am understanding the terminology] he continues, "are heavy and don't always work well. Many shavers, most cell phone chargers and all Apple adapters are dual voltage...make sure, though, before you ruin an expensive piece of electronics. You will need adapter plugs; any adapter will do..."

So this leads me to think that I only need to take the adapter, correct? Why is this SOOO confusing?!

Yes, this tends to be confusing. When in doubt, use the transformer. If your item is dual voltage, it will work either way. If it's not, it'll save you from burning it up. On my last trip to Europe I never did figure out for sure if my PDA was dual voltage (though I suspected it was) so I leaned on the side of caution.

You only need to take the European standard, Type C plug converter. Type F receptacles also take Type C plugs. (The holes are the same, but the Type F has ground connections while the C doesn't.) Type F receptacles can accept a 3-pronged plug, but also take the 2-pronged Type C.

More info at the following site. (Cut and paste the address into a browser window. I got rid of the http prefix because long links blow out the template on these boards.)
users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs_c

Re: camera. I called the camera company, gave model #, & got the info. # probably in manual or online. One time, I also called Best Buys, which sells my camera.

Last year, we took our clock radio to Italy/Europe because we could not find a non-electric clock that actually illuminated the time all nite long. I'm weird, I guess; need to know the time when I wake up! Although, we had the proper converter & adaptor, the clock did not keep correct time. I guess that even the converter did not match the proper energy flow. So your curling iron/hair dryer may or may not work.

Have a great time in Italy. Wish I was going!

Julie

You really only need an plug adapter if you leave the curling iron at home. Regarding the camera, if it is the model I am thinking of, it should have come with a power cord that connects to a separate AC adapter that plugs into the USB cradle you mentioned. For the plug on that power cord, you only need the plug adapter.

Thank you J62 and fnarf999, I think I am finally "getting it"...and fnarf, you speak my language: "a big square dealie on the plug"!!! LOL I get it!!! I will check it and I think get both the adapter with the 2 round pins, unless anyone else has any other suggestions.

fluff224, how was your trip? Was it your first and what cities did you visit? (if I could be so bold to ask)
(We will be in Rome, Siena, Florence and Venice.) What you said about your hair dryer working better using it at 120 with the converter and then the adapter has me thinking about the adapter.......

Magellan's website has a converter that is called an Auto Combination Converter that works for heating and non-heating appliances, combining the functions and automatically switching itself based on appliance being used. It's for electrical appliances up to 50W and heating appliances up to 2000W....any thoughts?

We had a WONDERFUL trip. We were in Venice,Florence, Rome, and Sorrento with day trips to Pisa, Perugia, Pompeii, and Capri. After 2 weeks I wasn't ready to come home and could easily have stayed for another week!! Regarding the hairdryer, my convertor is rather small(it is app. 3"x2") and didn't take up much room. I believe I bought it at the Traveller's Shop, but have seen them at Target. So, I packed it to be on the safe side. Have a wonderful trip! Sigh, wish I was returning.

Loveroses,
I forgot to add that this was my 2nd trip and husband's 1st. He loved it all, except Venice. He would also like to go back to Florence and spend time in the countryside.

fluff, we are so excited about our trip--first time to Europe for both my DH and myself! Glad you had such a great time and thanks for all your help everyone!! I think I've got "it"!!

I appreciate this forum SO much-- everyone is so giving of their time and knowledge!
Thank you all for your kind and patient responses :>

I have a Casio Exilim. Rather than travel with the docking station, I bought an inexpensive dual voltage battery charger. As you probably know, the battery life is amazing. Even so, we travel with a spare battery.

Get a dual voltage curling iron. Conair makes a huge variety.

An extension cord is a handy thing to have along.

I want to see the template (whatever that is) get blown out (whatever that is).

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandar...ty.htm#plugs_c

Site http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv has just about everything you need to know about electricity in Europe.

I especially value the advice it gives on geometry: "This one has three round prongs in a triangular pattern."

Well, yes, that would be true, wouldn't it?

(And yes, even if they're in a line, it's a triangle.)

hopscotch, thanks so much for the website!
This is absolutely the easiest to understand primer for electricity I have read yet! (Obviously I must have slept through this lesson in science (a life-time ago)lol!

taking notes....

djkbooks, where did you get your dual voltage battery charger, and what brand, if I may ask? I just purchased my Casio
Exilim and have not used it yet, so I am happy to hear you are very pleased with the battery life.

Thanks, also, for reminding me to get a spare battery!! In February my DH spent 2 weekd in Hawaii and after taking pictures all day while in Volcanoes Nat'l Park, I ran out just when we got to the Falls! Wouldn't you know it--I wasn't watching my battery symbol and, therefore, got not one shot of the fabulous Akaka Falls!!
I WILL be taking a spare battery to Italy :>