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-   -   Sonicare Toothbrush Charger (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/sonicare-toothbrush-charger-621332/)

Ronda Jun 6th, 2006 09:47 AM

Sonicare Toothbrush Charger
 
I'll be in France for 3 weeks and my Sonicare toothbrush won't hold a charge that long. Will the charger work with an plug adapter or do you know it will need a converter too? Maybe I just better use it until the battery dies and use a regular toothbrush. (Don't tell me not to take it as I need it)

Thanks. 4 days and counting.

Robespierre Jun 6th, 2006 10:22 AM

I looked at the bottom of my "Elite Pro" and it says 120VAC, which means that both a converter and adapter would be necessary.

I do the same as your Plan B, but I've never run out of juice in 2-3 week trips. All of which depends on the ability of your particular battery to retain a charge.

crefloors Jun 6th, 2006 10:26 AM

H have never taken mine to Europe, I'm afraid I'll burn it up and I just won't take the converter and all that stuff anymore. It's just too heavy. I got one of those battery operated tooth brushed...the "cheap competitor" to the Sonicare. It worked pretty well for a couple of weeks. Certainly NOT like my Sonicare and I was glad to use it again when I got home, but like I way, this other brush actually worked pretty well.

Intrepid1 Jun 6th, 2006 10:30 AM

I also use a battery-powered (two Double A's) model and it works well. Much easier than trying to find one which is dual voltage or carrying along a converter.

When, and if, the power runs low just replace the batteries.

You do NOT want to go back to a manual toothbrush, believe me, even for a short trip.

Ronda Jun 6th, 2006 10:31 AM

I didn't think I could just plug it in--that was too easy. The battery operated toothbrush is a good option and just might do that. Thanks all.

annetti Jun 6th, 2006 05:13 PM

You probably don't have the time now, but I went on the Sonicare web site and found a charger that would work for Europe. Later, I telephoned the 800 number. The salesman told me I could not use an adapter on my American charger. I bought a charger that would work with a European outlet for under $35 including shipping 2 years ago. (My American made Sonicare toothbrush fits perfectly into its European counterpart. It's worked for the 10 wks I put it to use during the last 2 years in Europe and I am planning to use it again this summer while traveling in Europe. (During the year, I just leave it in my suitcase.) I think the shipping took about 10 days.

enpleinair Jun 6th, 2006 05:29 PM

FYI: Check out your drugstore toothbrush aisle They now sell for abt $6. Battery powered brushes. They are the SAME size as a regular brush & work wonderful. I use these for travel all the time & leave my sonic care at home.

annetti Jun 6th, 2006 07:27 PM

That sounds great. How long do they last? How many would you need for a 6 wk trip? Thanks.

crefloors Jun 6th, 2006 07:30 PM

Gee, I'm not sure. I was gone for two weeks, used the brush twice a day and it was still going strong. I need to look and see if you can just change the battery or maybe just as simple to just get a new brush since I don't use them very ofter. Need to check it out before my next trip.

annetti Jun 7th, 2006 03:02 PM

Thanks, Crefloors. I bought one to try out at home and see how long the charge lasts. It would be a lot lighter to pack than the sonicare. Annetti

Ronda Jun 7th, 2006 08:39 PM

Right, and I worry about my expensive sonicare getting damaged or lost. Plus it weighs more.

Thanks for the tip on the adapter.

annetti Jun 26th, 2006 06:55 PM

I bought a battery operated brush to try at home. They work fine, but mine started to wane around the 17th day, using it twice a day for 2 mins ea time. So if you have a long trip planned, you may need a couple of them.

LoveItaly Jun 26th, 2006 07:17 PM

Never thought to buy one of those cheap battery operated toothbrushes..great travel tip. I do not take my Sonicare toothbrush with me and consequently using a manual toothbrush leaves a lot to be desired. Why didn't I think of the cheap battery operated toothbrushes for heavens sakes.

Crefloors, what brand do you buy? Thanks.

Ronda Jul 2nd, 2006 06:31 AM

Well, we are back. The toothbrush held a charge for 3 weeks and still going. I kept it on the charger continually the week before we left and got better results than running the battery down to nil and then recharging.


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