Travel Technology - Adapting your electric devices for foreign travel

Like a lot of folks I travel with quite a few devices that need to be plugged in and am finding more and more things like charging devices can run on duel voltage as in 120 or 220 ranges.

So rather having several voltage converters which are heavy and usually only have one female outlet and sometimes don't stay firmly in other country's wall outlets, I tried something different on my last trip to the UK. I ordered some UK style male plugs (like a hardware shop would sell) from an online source and then just took some 3 into 1 style USA cords and changed out the USA male plugs with the UK ones. Now I just plug my small strip plugs into the UK wall outlet and then plug up to 3 chargers such as the one for my phone, computer and camera into the strip. Now that I am Australia bound I ordered some simple plug adapters that have a male Australian plug and a UK female on the other side. I could have gotten Australian plugs like the UK ones and rewired them but wanted to avoid it as I may be back in the UK again.

I would avoid using any kind of USA strip outlet that has a fuse or circuit or LED light because the voltage difference might be an issue.

The one catch with this is that most US "3 into 1" adapters and the like aren't rated for 240V; it's probably a fairly remote chance, but an inexpensive one built with thin wire could overheat.

I picked up this strip a few years ago and have been very happy with it (no affiliation, just a happy owner):

http://www.voltagevalet.com/prod_comtel/PS2.html

All you need to carry is one host country to US adapter along with it, and you can plug in three multi-voltage eletronic devices. The strip and the built-in USB charger are all rated for 100-240V.

Or, at one third the cost is the much more compact "Outlets to Go" strip on Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG400-BK-Outlets/dp/B000F9YN2M/ref=pd_sim_e_1) The third plug is on the other side. And according to the manufacturer's FAQ...

> Can I use my Outlets To Go in a 220 / 240 volt country?
Yes your Outlets To Go will function with the appropriate plug adapter. Make sure that any devices you will be using can also work in multi voltage applications. If not, a converter will be necessary.

I used to use the Outlets-to-go strip boberonicus recommended but have changed to traveling with this one...

http://www.amazon.com/Outlets-To-Power-Strip-USB/dp/B0018MEBNG/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Same strip but it trades one US socket for a built in USB charge port, one less widget to carry. I've used it on 100/110/220/240VAC sources with the single adapter plug. As warned before it does not change the source voltage which is presented at the outlets. Have read some comments from people saying the USB doesn't put out enough current to charge an iPad but it's worked for me albeit a tad slower.

I took a 220v-110v converter and a plug strip , then I could use all my USA chargers.

the 220v-110v converter had all the country plugs included in the unit so nothing to lose !

Also check that whatever you are using will take the wattage (volts x amps),

soarer

PS....I have also taken a 220v + 110v wall plug that you use to plug in your phones car charger , these are real lightweight and now you can charge your phone etc in your room or rental car.....

That is a great suggestion. I've used myself. Evidently, though, when I did this in the past, I used a strip without a fuse. This week, however, I brought along a strip with a fuse and when I plugged it in to 220v, I heard a small pop and felt a puff of air in my hand that held the strip! I felt pretty stupid, but luckily was unharmed. Obivously, the strip was toast.

So yesterday, I found a small vendor in Russia who sold mostly Chinese houseware items. He had one of those multi-standard outlet strips you see so often in China. Each outlet has 6 holes arranged so that you can plug in something from nearly any country on the planet. It has a European plug at the end of a 2 meter cord that goes into the wall, which is ideal for my needs. My US plugs work quite well in it, but when I plugged the hotel's lamp into it (with a European plug), the physical connection was very loose. It was very cheap, 300 Rubles, or about $10. Perhaps I'll find a slightly more expensive strip which is of better quality. I'd hate to burn a hotel down just to save a few bucks.

The one catch with this is that most US "3 into 1" adapters and the like aren't rated for 240V; it's probably a fairly remote chance, but an inexpensive one built with thin wire could overheat.

I picked up this strip a few years ago and have been very happy with it (no affiliation, just a happy owner):

http://www.voltagevalet.com/prod_comtel/PS2.html

All you need to carry is one host country to US adapter along with it, and you can plug in three multi-voltage eletronic devices. The strip and the built-in USB charger are all rated for 100-240V.

Actually, wire is sized for the current passing through, and at 240V the current will be half for a given device (e.g. a 120 Watt computer draws 1 Amp at 120V, but only 0.5 Amps at 240V). Anything with an active element like a surge protector, indicator light, etc, is a different story of course.

So yesterday, I found a small vendor in Russia who sold mostly Chinese houseware items. He had one of those multi-standard outlet strips you see so often in China. Each outlet has 6 holes arranged so that you can plug in something from nearly any country on the planet. It has a European plug at the end of a 2 meter cord that goes into the wall, which is ideal for my needs. My US plugs work quite well in it, but when I plugged the hotel's lamp into it (with a European plug), the physical connection was very loose. It was very cheap, 300 Rubles, or about $10. Perhaps I'll find a slightly more expensive strip which is of better quality. I'd hate to burn a hotel down just to save a few bucks.

Here's one from Amazon with a US plug
http://www.amazon.com/WONPRO-UNIVERSAL-POWER-STRIP-OUTLETS/dp/B000WG069C

Wonpro makes a line of universal strips with a detachable cables. I ordered mine from their website & they work well but the sockets are pretty stiff. If you want a US cord I'd recommend ordering the Japanese cord. It's the same 3-pin standard US configuration but the grounding pin can be unscrewed for use while traveling -- with the US cord the ground is molded in & can't be removed.

And instead of getting a transfer switch for your home generator, you can just put a plug on both ends of an extension cord and plug it into an outlet.

:rolleyes:

I would never put a 120 volt device into a 240 outlet unless it was tested and rated for it.

If you have a typical transformer for a laptop (tri-barrel or dual) you can also just order localized cords...

Actually, wire is sized for the current passing through, and at 240V the current will be half for a given device (e.g. a 120 Watt computer draws 1 Amp at 120V, but only 0.5 Amps at 240V). Anything with an active element like a surge protector, indicator light, etc, is a different story of course.

Wiring insulation rating is by voltage.

I had a few evolutions on what I bring with me. First, I started out with the outlets to go (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG400-BK-Outlets/dp/B000F9YN2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345035826&sr=8-1&keywords=outlets+to+go) mentioned above without USB. This was fine, but at the time years ago there was uncertainty as to whether it could be used with 220v, and I had a bad experience tripping some breakers in Singapore with a different power strip so I didn't want to take a chance.

So, then I moved onto this (http://www.amazon.com/Simran-SM-60-110V-250V-Universal-Protection/dp/B003UHYDYO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345035916&sr=8-2&keywords=universal+power+strip) one with nice universal plugs. This is nice to have as I can plug in both local devices overseas and my US powered electronics - it works with 110 or 220V as well. However, this one lacked USB, so I moved onto my current iteration.

Now, I will use a ground local plug adapter for the country I am in, then use this handy swivel plug extension cord (http://www.amazon.com/Ziotek-ZT1212597-360-Degree-Rotating-Liberator/dp/B002PXA73A/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1345036206&sr=1-7) when the plug is somewhere inconvenient, say underneath the desk, and then use this (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Outlets-300-Laptops-USB/dp/B003TXRTNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345036001&sr=8-3&keywords=monsters+to+go+adapter) Monster product to give me 3 US-Style plugs and 2 USB plugs. This allows me to limit what I bring and cut out some power bricks for my phone and other USB accessories.

Wiring insulation rating is by voltage.

Yes, I was going to mention that but forgot. For a cord or adapter in good condition I personally wouldn't worry about the insulation difference for a temporary cord in a hotel, but it is a good reason not to use as a permanent solution where it will get frayed etc. The main point was that the wire gauge itself is sufficient.

Most cords are rated to 250v, at twice the voltage you use half the amperage (see Mom, told you the EE degree was worth it), so the same gauge of wire is OK.

If you travel frequently, I really suggest investing in a couple of proper cords. For example, I have a tri-barrel (C5/C6) laptop power adapter with a USB jack and my laptop has a power port. With just three items:


Plug Adapter IEC 60320 C14 Plug to IEC 60320 C5 Connector 10a/250v
Power Cord UK BS1363 Male Plug to IEC60320-C5 Female 2 Meter ~ 6 Feet
Power Cord Schuko CEE7/7 Male Plug to IEC60320-C5 Female 2 Meter ~ 6 Feet 2.5a/250v


and I can go anywhere in Europe or the UK.

Add 1 more:


Plug Adapter IEC 60320 C6 Plug to IEC 60320 C7 Connector Block Adapter

and my wife's 2 barrel laptop works also.

All perfectly to electric codes! There are cords available for just about every country in the world.


Crossing over the edge ... you can then add a 3 barrel power tap T-plug which creates a US-style PLUG (although it's actually 250v) and power another universal device.

Here's one from Amazon with a US plug
http://www.amazon.com/WONPRO-UNIVERSAL-POWER-STRIP-OUTLETS/dp/B000WG069C
+1, but you might want to go directly to the Wonpro (http://www.wonpro.com) site (or Europlugs.com (http://www.europlugs.com)) for a very wide collection of strips, adapters, etc., etc.

I used to use the Outlets-to-go strip boberonicus recommended but have changed to traveling with this one...


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TXRTNG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TXRTNG&linkCode=as2&tag=flrtk-20

I switched to this Outlets to Go one. It has 3 AC outlets and *2* USB ports! Also works 120 and 240V. Instead of carrying 2 USB plugs and a splitter or several plug converters, now I just carry this thing and it's great.

Between the laptop, iphone, and a portable USB battery I use, everything goes right into one plug - perfect for those silly hotel rooms with only one plug.

Some might complain the amperage supplied isn't the best but I usually charge things overnight anyway, and carry a spare external battery.

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never had a problem with a reasonably heavy gauge extension cord with 3 sockets and a local power plug. If I'm in the mood, I'll use a plug that changes 1 socket to 3, for a total of 5.

The only things I plug in are my notebook ac adapter, a tiny USB phone charger, camera battery charger and more recently an ipad charger, all of which take 120/240 and none of which are grounded.

Why go to the trouble of rewiring your extension cord when adapters are so cheap? I use a couple of these with a grounded US 3 outlet extension cord when I'm in the UK:
http://www.amazon.com/Bright-3-Prong-Travel-Outlet-Adapter/dp/B000PQL7AQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345139871&sr=8-2&keywords=uk+power+adapter

I have similar adapters for other countries. I prefer those to the all-in-one travel adapter gadgets.

+1, but you might want to go directly to the Wonpro (http://www.wonpro.com) site (or Europlugs.com (http://www.europlugs.com)) for a very wide collection of strips, adapters, etc., etc.

There's also the Wonpro Universal adapter that allows for two devices and another that adds a 500mA USB. Good if you don't need to ground.
http://www.wonpro.com/style/frame/templates9/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=1327&name_id=29951&content_set=color_1&rid=42435&id=233871
http://www.wonpro.com/style/frame/templates9/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=1327&name_id=29951&content_set=color_1&rid=42435&id=295936

I also carry an integrated 1 port "hub" + micro usb combo cable so I can charge two lower power devices off the same 1A usb charger http://www.centralcomputers.com/commerce/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=81774&czuid=1345248364515 and a Lenmar PPUClip to charge point & shoot/cell phone batteries http://www.lenmar.com/Web/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=PPUCLIP

BStrauss3 - have you seen any barrels that are compatible with Apple power bricks? Other than their expensive adapter kit?

There's also the Wonpro Universal adapter that allows for two devices and another that adds a 500mA USB. Good if you don't need to ground.
http://www.wonpro.com/style/frame/templates9/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=1327&name_id=29951&content_set=color_1&rid=42435&id=233871
http://www.wonpro.com/style/frame/templates9/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=1327&name_id=29951&content_set=color_1&rid=42435&id=295936

I also carry an integrated 1 port "hub" + micro usb combo cable so I can charge two lower power devices off the same 1A usb charger http://www.centralcomputers.com/commerce/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=81774&czuid=1345248364515 and a Lenmar PPUClip to charge point & shoot/cell phone batteries http://www.lenmar.com/Web/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=PPUCLIP

BStrauss3 - have you seen any barrels that are compatible with Apple power bricks? Other than their expensive adapter kit?

Thanks, I will try these

BStrauss3 - have you seen any barrels that are compatible with Apple power bricks? Other than their expensive adapter kit?

Haven't looked - not a fan of proprietary connectors, expecially where there are global standards on offer.

You can check with PowerFig (either through their Amazon store or directly) and see if they paid to license that patent and have a connector.