Will I be able to safely charge my digital camera while I am in Europe? I have a set of adaptors and converters. The camera is way more expensive than a curlying iron or hair dryer. I do not want to burn it up. Plus then I will have nothing to take pics with!

Janetj the answer is simple, but not immediately obvious. Grab your camera charger, put on your specs if you need to, and examine the fine print - If the voltage range extends to 240 or thereabouts you will be OK - all you will need will be an adapter to enable you to plug your plug into a European socket, and if you are visiting the UK and/or Ireland, you will need yet another adapter.

Specifically, it's the "Input voltage" you need to look at - this will be written on the charger. As long as it says something like "Input voltage: 100-250v", then you'll be fine - all you'll need is the appropriate plug adaptor, not a voltage converter.

Virtually all items like digital/video cameras, computers, PDAs, MP3 players, etc, have "universal" mains adaptors such as this. It's highly unlikely you're going to need a voltage converter - they are normally only needed for high power devices like hair driers.

The best thing that happened to me whilst in Europe was that I lost my travel adapter.. all I did was to find an electics store and purchased a power cord.. I had no trouble charging both my camera and iPod.

An interesting quirk we noticed while on our tour... many of the rooms require you to put your room key card in a slot inside the room in order for the lights and the power outlets to work. When you leave the room, you take your key card with you, and the lights and outlets go out. This means you can't be charging while you're out of the room unless you have a second key card. So be sure to ask for a second card in such cases. And it's a must if you're sharing a room with a non-family member who won't be with you all the time.

rickidean you are quite right about the quirk that europeans have they dont like to waste and electricy is one of them, please dont ask for extra ice cubes! some times they will give you an extra key , but most not. it best to charge your gadgets while your sleeping use the small light in the bathroom. make sure for your hair implements you buy the right converter they sell different wattage. you dont want to get stuck using the hotel one, you have to hold your finger on the button to keep power.

ps if your camera runs on batterires bring plenty of and you will never miss a frame just in case.

quote:

An interesting quirk we noticed while on our tour... many of the rooms require you to put your room key card in a slot inside the room in order for the lights and the power outlets to work. When you leave the room, you take your key card with you, and the lights and outlets go out.

And this is a problem why? - In the interests of reduction of greenhouse gas emmission, this can only be a good thing! Everything that you need to charge can be charged overnight when you are in the room. I am not sure that power outlets turn off anyway, surely only the lights and air conditioner, otherwise your fridge would defrost, whenever you left the room.

Totally agree, Steve. I shudder to think of the hideous waste of energy from people who, for example, leave air-conditioning running all day long when they aren't in the room. Air-conditioning units are one of the most power-hungry and environmentally polluting of all modern "mod cons".

topic closed