I have to recharge my camcorder batteries while attached to the camcorder. Even though I will be taking adaptors and a converter, has anyone every destroyed their camcorder because of the difference in electrical voltage? Is so is there anything else I need to get to prevent this?

Are you certain that the battery cannot be removed for charging? If so, I should think the converter and adaptor will do the trick without harm.

In my case, I can remove my battery and insert it into a separate charger (small the size of a deck of cards) which operates under the correct voltage range and only requires the wall socket adaptor.

quote:

Originally posted by pep:
I have to recharge my camcorder batteries while attached to the camcorder. Even though I will be taking adaptors and a converter, has anyone every destroyed their camcorder because of the difference in electrical voltage? Is so is there anything else I need to get to prevent this?

Assuming that your CamCorder is less than 10 years old, your charger will accept the higher voltage.

To put your mind at ease, check out the specs on the charger or manual; you will see the voltage that it will safely accept. It will probably read something like "110 - 220 volts.

You'll need an adaptor, but, not a converter. Again, if it puts your mind at ease, take 'em both.

I've been using a CamCorder many, many years and never "destroyed their camcorder because of the difference in electrical voltage?

Regards,

Bob

As a general rule, pep, don't use a voltage converter unless you must. You'll probably find that the only devices which require one are high-power devices like hairdryers (and there are dual voltage travel hairdryers available). Pretty much everything like computers, iPods, cameras, etc, will, as Bob say, have a "universal" charger which will work just fine with the European 230v mains power. For such devices, all you'll need is a plug adapter.

Thanks for the answers. As you may have guessed the workings of electronics leaves me dumbfounded. I had visions in my mind of my camcorder going up in smoke if I got the connections wrong. Thanks for the peace of mind.

A problem, of sorts, for those of us in North America, who take an appliance that requires a voltage converter, is that one never knows if the converter is defective, and will only know, for sure, when it is first used at destination.

Unless, one has built a' Test Jig" we would not likely have a 208/230 volt wall outlet available to plug the converter in, to see if it were working properly. If a hair dryer, or similar appliance is needed, it's best to buy one that is "travel friendly," and would work, without a converter, both at home and abroad.

Roxy: To paraphrase RR: "there I go again" - another 'what if'

Bob

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rmonturi,

quote:

Originally posted by rmontuori:
. . . it's best to buy one that is "travel friendly," and would work, without a converter, both at home and abroad.

Roxy: To paraphrase RR: "there I go again" - another 'what if'

Bob

yes dual voltage is the way to go - mainly for hair driers. "what ifs kill me too, but I've developed a lot of letting it go. . .

quote:

Originally posted by Roxy:
[ "what ifs kill me too, but I've developed a lot of letting it go. . .

I'm considering therapy.