I was lucky enough to receive a Canon Powershot S400 for Christmas. I live in the USA. My GF and I are going to London in early February. So here’s my question… The battery charger for this camera clearly states this on the bottom:
INPUT: 100V-240V AC 50/60HZ
7.5VA(100V)
-10.5VA(240V)
OUTPUT: 4.2V DC 0.5A
I’m assuming that the charger can handle the UK’s 220 electricity system. Is this correct? I am also assuming that all I’ll need is a “plug converter” (to change the shape of the plug) as opposed to the voltage converter + plug converter. Is this also correct?
Lastly, which is better for most appliances - running them through a voltage converter or using the “native” 220V (assuming they support higher voltages)? Will batteries charge faster at 220V? Will my battery charger freak out if I use it at 220V then come home and use it at 110V again? What’s the Straight Dope on all this?
Yes, you can use it in the UK and all you need is a mechanical adapter which is worth about 50 cents but which you can buy in the UK for £15 ($250) or something like that. Prices in the UK are outrageous.
In mot cases, it is best if the power supply can handle “native” voltage, as many cheaper step-down voltage converters work by chopping off the 220 V sine wave, creating a 110 V pseudosquare wave, which is bad for reactive loads, such as the transformers in power supplies. Resistive loads, like hair dryers and travel irons don’t care. Better step-down converters actually use a transformer, but cost more per watt. These are essentially transparent to devices with reactive loads, though.
So it is overpriced by a factor of 16 before you consider shipping costs.
$2.49 + $7.00 for shipping.
Radio Shack also has them at inflated prices.
If you have plenty of time you can get them for under $1.00 in the US or the UK. If you need it now then you will probably pay a premium. I remember losing one in Hong Kong airport and needing one right there and then. You pay.
I wouldn’t rely on getting a US-UK adaptor in the UK…the other way is fine, for Brits going on holiday, but there’s virtually no demand for the ‘foriegn’ version…try to get one before you leave it possible.
I have bought several in London and not had much problem finding them. I have bought them at small and large hardware stores and even at stall at outdoor markets. I lose them as fast as I buy them. BTW, they come with a fuse. The cheaper ones have a smaller fuse which is sufficient for the average power a camera or computer may draw but my computer’s power supply blows the fuse with the initial inrush so I had to short the fuse with a piece of wire. That’s the reason I always travel with a tool kit and some supplies like cable and insulating tape. I always seem to need them.
I also know that you can insert a European plug (two round pins) in an English socket if you put something in the ground socket to open the holes. I have done this countless times.
Witha bit of cable and insulating tape and a screwdriver you can rig something to the plug of any other device in the room like the electric teapot found in english hotels (I love that).
As well as traveling with a tool kit and insulating tape have you drawn up your will yet. With all that messing around with 240 volts I don’t rate your life expectancy too high as well as probably burning down the hotel.
Kettle is the correct word. I love the idea which you only find in the UK.
>> Couldn’t you just get a 13A fuse!!!
Not on short notice late at night when I needed it. A thin strand of wire should be a reasonable protection. Not to mention that the rest of the world seems to get by with no fuses in their plugs and seem to be doing OK. I hate those massive UK plugs.