Travel Technology - can anyone recommend a good voltae/plug adapter?

I'm going around the world for a couple years, and I need to find a good voltage/plug adapter that works for all countries. There's a ton of choices out there, and I was hoping for a recommendation. I need a voltage and plug adapter since my cell phone charger is only rated for 110V.

Anyone very happy with a particular product and feel comfortable recommending it?

I have purchased numerous adapters, converters and this kit from International and have been very pleased with the quality and value in their products.

http://www.international-electrical-supplies.com/voltage5.html

The above is a link to one of their adapter/converter kits that I purchased.

SAM

you might find some more information in the following threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=778290
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=721626
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=767349
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=722979
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=719315
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315586
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=641454
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=641766

hope this helps.

The last word in plug adapters (http://buy.apc.com/commerce/storefronts/etail/product.aspx?catalog%5Fname=VC%5Fapcfs%5Fus&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=INPA%28APC%5FUS%29&CountryCode=us&StorefrontCode=apcfs&iSource=0&LanguageCode=en).

The last word in plug adapters (http://buy.apc.com/commerce/storefronts/etail/product.aspx?catalog%5Fname=VC%5Fapcfs%5Fus&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=INPA%28APC%5FUS%29&CountryCode=us&StorefrontCode=apcfs&iSource=0&LanguageCode=en).

That's not a transformer as well, so no good for the OP.

That's not a transformer as well, so no good for the OP.

I also have the problem that my laptop is a grounded cord (three prongs), and most of the products out there are non-grounded meaning it won't fit.

I'm thinking about just not using my cell phone (overseas I will only be using as an alarm clock) and buying a tiny travel alarm clock run on batteries. My cell phone is the only device I have that doesn't accept 110-240 volts, so I could lose the requirement for a transformer and buy a grounded adapter set.

If I decide to get the transformer I run into a problem since I can't find a solution that allows me to use my grounded laptop plug with a transformer.

Decisions...

VXMike, you're aware, aren't you, that virtually all electronics manufactured today are dual voltage/dual frequency and will work anywhere in the world? Certainly, your laptop will -- all you need are the correct plug adapters; no transformer necessary.

As for your cellphone, you can almost certainly get a dual-voltage charger for it, though most cellphones chargers are already dual-voltage. I always travel with lots of electronics and haven't encountered anything yet that can't just be plugged in the wall with the right adapter (though note that there are dozens of different and incompatible plug configurations used throughout the world).

I also have the problem that my laptop is a grounded cord (three prongs), and most of the products out there are non-grounded meaning it won't fit.

Get a cheap three-prong to two-prong adapter at your hardware store.
Your laptop doesn't need the ground wire to be connected to anything.

Get a cheap three-prong to two-prong adapter at your hardware store.
Your laptop doesn't need the ground wire to be connected to anything.Some of the Sony Vaios actually do require the ground, or you'll feel a mild electrical "tickle" when your hands are on the case. I think Sony may have fixed this problem in later models -- it certainly isn't an issue with mine (I've used it with the 2-prong Sony travel charger and I'm using it as we speak with my Targus which, though 3-prong, is plugged into a 3-to-2 adapter).

Get a cheap three-prong to two-prong adapter at your hardware store.
Your laptop doesn't need the ground wire to be connected to anything.

Good idea. I can do this and buy a basic plug adapter. Or something like this which appears to accept grounded plugs.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Worldwide-Adaptor-Plug/dp/B000A7VQX8/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1201402439&sr=8-10

Ptravel, my cell phone is pretty old and the charger only accepts 110V. I'll either have to get a newer charger or ditch the phone when overseas and just get a cheap battery-powered alarm clock.

Ptravel, my cell phone is pretty old and the charger only accepts 110V. I'll either have to get a newer charger or ditch the phone when overseas and just get a cheap battery-powered alarm clock.
If your cell is that old, is it compatable with overseas networks? If it won't work overseas, it probably won't work as an alarm clock, either. I've never had one where you can manually set the time. It always picks up local time via the cell network.

By a new double voltage charger. Cell phone chargers are cheap. Look on ebay.

If your cell is that old, is it compatable with overseas networks? If it won't work overseas, it probably won't work as an alarm clock, either. I've never had one where you can manually set the time. It always picks up local time via the cell network.

It's not compatible with overseas networks, but it will allow me to set the time. It's a T-mobile Nokia from about five years ago. Still works great. I like the fact it's physically a lot sturdier than modern flip-top phones.

OP, my vote is for a new charger. I bet you can find one really cheap. I don't know how they are doing it, but seems like chargers have gotten insanely inexpensive lately. I picked up 2 chargers for .99 each recently, and they both seem to work fine (shipping was $3 for both).

If it's a really old phone than maybe ebay can hook you up with something used and cheap as well.

Look for USb chargers too, if you have a laptop or a AC-to-USB adapter (for an iPod or something)

If it won't work overseas, it probably won't work as an alarm clock, either. I've never had one where you can manually set the time. It always picks up local time via the cell network.

:confused:How many phones have you had?

All mine have allowed me to set time.

It's not like you couldn't use the alarm if the time was incorrect anyway- it's called math. ;)

I have purchased numerous adapters, converters and this kit from International and have been very pleased with the quality and value in their products.

http://www.international-electrical-supplies.com/voltage5.html

The above is a link to one of their adapter/converter kits that I purchased.

SAM

1. What is the low wattage (0-50) converter good for, and why is a "dual" wattage converter important.
2. Does the converter weigh much?
3. Can a multi-plug unit be plugged into the converter, thus permitting several "appliances" to be plugged in (assume total wattage does not exceed that indicated?

Thanks in advance.

1. What is the low wattage (0-50) converter good for, and why is a "dual" wattage converter important.
2. Does the converter weigh much?
3. Can a multi-plug unit be plugged into the converter, thus permitting several "appliances" to be plugged in (assume total wattage does not exceed that indicated?

Thanks in advance.

1. generally good for low power electronics.
cell phone chargers, mp3 players or other such portable
electronics.
The high wattage setting would allow you to use it for Heating
appliances.. but not appropriate for electronics or small appliances.


2. Relatively light. probably about the weight of a cell phone charger..
(old charger)

3. Highly discouraged. If you intend to plug in a power strip, you should get
something that is heavy duty. You may get away with it if you only plug in
a couple of cell phone chargers..but anything more than that is asking for
trouble.

3. Can a multi-plug unit be plugged into the converter, thus permitting several "appliances" to be plugged in (assume total wattage does not exceed that indicated?

3. Highly discouraged. If you intend to plug in a power strip, you should get something that is heavy duty. You may get away with it if you only plug in a couple of cell phone chargers..but anything more than that is asking for trouble.

My experience, only -- yours may differ.

I always travel with a standard 16-gauge extension cord with a 3-to-1 plug, giving me a total of 5 outlets in a relatively small space. I use this all over the world, in 220v countries, as well as 110v. Into it, I plug all my electronics, including my laptop power supply (which is the highest draw device I carry), battery chargers, my printer power supply, etc. It doesn't even begin to get warm, which is not surprising given that electronics are, for the most part, low draw. I would not, of course, plug in my wife's hair dryer or curling iron. This eliminates the need for carrying lots of plug adapters -- all I need is one for the relevant country. It goes in the wall, the extension cord goes in it, and everything else goes in the extension cord.

I used to carry a power strip -- a 110v one for the U.S. and Canada, and a 220v one for everywhere else. Then one day, I did the math and realized that I drew well under the rated 10 amps for the power cord, and the amperage was same at either voltage. Obviously, you should add up the current draw of all your devices and make sure it is well under the rated maximum for the extension cord. However, the "wall wart" chargers that are ubiquitous these days usually draw tiny amounts of power.

The only thing to watch with an extension cord is breaking of the internal copper strands from repeated coiling up and uncoiling -- this will raise the resistance, cause heat and could lead to fire (I learned about this from an engineer when I was doing a products liability fire trial many years ago). I always check for temperature, but will also replace the extension cord from time to time.

I always travel with a standard 16-gauge extension cord with a 3-to-1 plug, giving me a total of 5 outlets in a relatively small space. I use this all over the world, in 220v countries, as well as 110v. Into it, I plug all my electronics, including my laptop power supply (which is the highest draw device I carry), battery chargers, my printer power supply, etc. It doesn't even begin to get warm, which is not surprising given that electronics are, for the most part, low draw. I would not, of course, plug in my wife's hair dryer or curling iron. This eliminates the need for carrying lots of plug adapters -- all I need is one for the relevant country. It goes in the wall, the extension cord goes in it, and everything else goes in the extension cord.


I have nothing against using a power strip, but attaching a power strip
to the wall through a power converter is a bad idea. Unless its connected
to a heavy duty voltage converter/transformer
(something like this: http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.html)

If you connect the power strip to the wall and then connect your converters
and electronics on it, it should be okay as long as the power strip is
rated for the voltage.

I have nothing against using a power strip, but attaching a power strip
to the wall through a power converter is a bad idea. Unless its connected
to a heavy duty voltage converter/transformer
(something like this: http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.html)My post was not in reference to a voltage converter, but to using dual voltage equipment with an extension cord. However, as long as the maximum wattage isn't exceeded, I don't see any problem with doing it through a voltage converter, either.

If you connect the power strip to the wall and then connect your converters
and electronics on it, it should be okay as long as the power strip is
rated for the voltage.As I noted in my post, I've never had any problems using 110v-rated extension cords with 220v. Though, in theory, the higher voltage has the potential (no pun intended) to break down the insulation, at these voltages it is unlikely, i.e. I wouldn't run 50,000 volts through a household extension cord, but running 220 seems fine, as long as the total amperage remains within the rated limits.

Good idea. I can do this and buy a basic plug adapter. Or something like this which appears to accept grounded plugs.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Worldwide-Adaptor-Plug/dp/B000A7VQX8/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1201402439&sr=8-10

Ptravel, my cell phone is pretty old and the charger only accepts 110V. I'll either have to get a newer charger or ditch the phone when overseas and just get a cheap battery-powered alarm clock.

I have on of these branded as a Delsey (bought in HEL) - fantastic - universal to universal adaptor - and mine is also a a double (ie accepts two plugs at the same time).

As for the OP, wouldn't it be easier to get a phone-USB cable for his old phone so he can just connect it to his PC and charge it that way?

I have on of these branded as a Delsey (bought in HEL) - fantastic - universal to universal adaptor - and mine is also a a double (ie accepts two plugs at the same time).

As for the OP, wouldn't it be easier to get a phone-USB cable for his old phone so he can just connect it to his PC and charge it that way?

I'm assuming you mean something like this - I'm not familiar with these chargers at all. That sure would solve my problems!

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-MOBILE-PHONE-Charger-Kit-For-Nokia-Motorola-Samsung_W0QQitemZ350018710566QQihZ022QQcategoryZ20 368QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm assuming you mean something like this - I'm not familiar with these chargers at all. That sure would solve my problems!

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-MOBILE-PHONE-Charger-Kit-For-Nokia-Motorola-Samsung_W0QQitemZ350018710566QQihZ022QQcategoryZ20 368QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

yep that would do the trick.