Hi, this might sound like an obvious question, but I don't know the answer. I'm going to the U.S. and Canada for a week on Sunday and I'd like to take my laptop and my Nintendo DS + charger and mobile + charger. I have an adapter I take to Europe with me that changes the plug from 3 pins to 2 pins but I don't think it does anything to the voltage. What will I need when I go to the U.S. and Canada please? Thanks in advance!
Powering UK electronics in U.S. and Canada
Miscellaneous Forums/General Discussion/Powering UK electronics in U.S. and Canada Most laptop power supplies are dual voltage and have a seperate lead that plugs from the brick supply into the wall. The wall to brick cables are pretty easy to buy seperately.
Don't know much about the DS or mobile. If your renting a car you can probably just use the cig lighter to charge the mobile and possibly the DS if they have a car adapter.
Don't know much about the DS or mobile. If your renting a car you can probably just use the cig lighter to charge the mobile and possibly the DS if they have a car adapter.
Notebook charger will most likely work on 110V. Don't know about the Nintendo or mobile chargers. It all depends on the country they were sold in. Check the chargers. The input voltage is always written down somewhere on their cases.
Barney
Barney
laptop power supplies should switch no problem (but check with the manufacturer).
The other devices, I'm not sure about.
for the DS, look here.
The other devices, I'm not sure about.
for the DS, look here.
Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance SP Rapid Car Charger with IC Chip
they are under 5 pounds on amazon uk.
they are under 5 pounds on amazon uk.
Here is some info on the plug needed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Type_B_.28American_3-pin_or_U-ground.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Type_B_.28American_3-pin_or_U-ground.29
Where are you headed to in Canada?
OK thanks all, I'll check out those links.
The laptop is actually a UK Macbook Pro so hopefully it'll work, but I guess I should check it out more.
Gosse: Vancouver after Seattle.
The laptop is actually a UK Macbook Pro so hopefully it'll work, but I guess I should check it out more.
Gosse: Vancouver after Seattle.
check your laptop's power brick -- if it mentions both 230V/50Hz (europe) and 115V/60Hz (US), then it's safe to plug into a US outlet with just the pin-changer. Most laptop powersupplies are universal these days, and will work without problems.
If the device does NOT mention 110-115V specifically, then you probably need to get a more expensive power converter that does the switching for you.
(Some 'dumb' devices like shavers and such might physically work, but either run at half speed at double speed depending on the voltage they receive... Neither of which is desirable, of course)
If the device does NOT mention 110-115V specifically, then you probably need to get a more expensive power converter that does the switching for you.
(Some 'dumb' devices like shavers and such might physically work, but either run at half speed at double speed depending on the voltage they receive... Neither of which is desirable, of course)
Grey, funny, i'm in seattle :)
we use these outlets -
we use these outlets -
The Macbook power adapter says 100-240V, so I guess that means it will work just with a plug adapter.
However I've got my eye on the Mutation MW1P100FK which can be found here:
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
It's up to 100W and I can use it with my DS and mobile charger. I can also use it with the laptop instead of a plug adapter too because the laptop is 85W, so that would work (it's a bit close to 100W though...)
However I've got my eye on the Mutation MW1P100FK which can be found here:
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
It's up to 100W and I can use it with my DS and mobile charger. I can also use it with the laptop instead of a plug adapter too because the laptop is 85W, so that would work (it's a bit close to 100W though...)