Power Adapter
 

:beer:
Hi all, could anyone tell me if there is some kind of power adapter i could buy to power up my UK electrical devices in Canada eg, Laptops, digital Cameras.

Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Re: Power Adapter
 

hi

you need to buy a transformer.

There have been plenty of threads about this type of thing - use the search thing and look for think its called "taking UK electricals to Canada".

Gaynor

Re: Power Adapter
 

You shouldnt need one for a laptop,but for everything else try voltageconverters.com
John

Re: Power Adapter
 

And maybe not for a digital camera power adaptor. Lamps can be converted simply by inserting a Canadian bulb (bear in mind most Canadian bulbs are screw-in).

As for the rest of things, voltage adaptors are bulky and relatively expensive. Strongly consider whether it's a good idea, as opposed to buying new electronics in Canada.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Another thing to be aware of, if you aren't already, is that television sets, VCRs and DVD players are different. The North American TV convention is NTSC rather than PAL. I don't know the terminology for DVDs, but I know they're different too. Some VCRs and DVD players, especially newer ones, can operate on both systems. But that's another issue on top of the voltage one.

Re: Power Adapter
 

$19 inc tax - GS-50U 110V - 220V step up reverse converter. Only works on goods rated up to 50W (small power items). Others can be bought for whatever wattage required.

Neat, 2inch x 2inch square box. I got ours at the local electronics store. They have lots of sizes, makes and prices.

Shop around and it can be found. :)

Re: Power Adapter
 

Some things, like clocks and CD players, may not run accurately off a transformer. Something to do with the different cycle.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Something else to be aware of is that you need to disclose that you are using a convertor to you home insurance policy.
I know of a case were someone had a fire, the insurance would not pay out as he had a convertor and not said about it,
If you do use one make sure it,s a good quality one.

Andy

Re: Power Adapter
 

Can someone post a pic of the type of voltage convertor I would need to run a UK thing in Canada? I just want to confirm that I've got the right idea of what I'm looking for in my head. TIA.

Re: Power Adapter
 

http://www.voltageconverters.com/vol...onverters.html

We got ours from here shipped from canada so no extra duties to pay.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Thanks for that johnnyc. :)

.... just another question (I know zip about electrical type things) ... so why are they all different in terms of wattage? Is it that the higher wattage one are used for bigger, more electricity sucking appliances? ( see? :o )

Edit --- ah, nevermind.... I found the 'How do I choose the right transformer / converter?' page! It's here: http://www.voltageconverters.com/faq.htm#1 for those reading and are as clueless as I.

Re: Power Adapter
 

I thought all your 'tools' and 'appliances' were battery or manual????

Re: Power Adapter
 

DVDs can be region sensitive. This is regardless of PAL / NTSC output format.

US/ Canada is region 1, IIRC UK is region 2. Some players are locked and will only play disks from a specific region. Often players can be hacked to play disks from all regions, just takes a bit of research to find out how. Some players play disks from all regions, and some disks are regionless. Like you say, just something else to think about.

Re: Power Adapter
 

I'm disappointed Butch. I thought that of anyone, you would know that a Sybian runs off the mains! :rolleyes:

:D

Re: Power Adapter
 

WOW, you got a Sybian?????????

I AM impressed but embarrassed to admit I know what it is.:p:o:D:D

Re: Power Adapter
 

Is that a pic of you as a youngster steve?

Re: Power Adapter
 

Yup...nine and a half. :D:D

Just stepped off the train in Edmonton in September 1956. Didn't stay long that time, we were on our way back to the UK by April 1957. :(

Re: Power Adapter
 

And I'm embarrassed to say I had to google it.
:o

Re: Power Adapter
 

Very cute steve. Happy new year to you and yours. Hope 2007 is a wonderful year for you and the family.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Erm... Butch... that's not normally what you do to them. :rolleyes:

Maybe Steve could offer you some tips. :D

Re: Power Adapter
 

Cant say I personally would have much use for it. ;)

Re: Power Adapter
 

Sorry can't help Butch I don't have much use for one either except to say see my post you gave me h*ll for in the "Hello" thread.:D:D:D:D

Re: Power Adapter
 

I bet that pussy would turn on you. ;)

Re: Power Adapter
 

Just remember the bigger the transformer the heavier it becomes. THe 3kW transformer weighs in at a hefty 37lb! It is very important to make sure you have the correct wattage for the transfomer otherwise if the load is too high it will overheat!

Re: Power Adapter
 

So how do you know what wattage will be required ? I know that you will have to total the wattage requirements of the appliances but how do you find out what those wattage requirements are ? Will there be a label on the appliance at all ?

Re: Power Adapter
 

THe wattage should be indicated on the lable of the electrical device, if not multyply the mains Voltage by the current and always allow a bit extra.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Thanks

So, for example, what would the wattage be for the total of a widescreen TV, (28"), x-box and DVD player if they were all running at the same time ? One guess what I am using the transformer for ?

Does it really matter (other than cost of running it) if you have a transformer that is much more "beefy" than required ? I guess it is better to be over rated than under ?:D

Re: Power Adapter
 

For example my 42'' plasma uses about 500 watts, say the DVD uses 100 watts and the X-box 100 watts. The total power requirement would be 500 + 100 + 100 = 700 watts in total. You could then purchase a transformer rated at 800 watts rather than run a 700 watt transformer at full load. Personally I would purchase a 1000 watt (1 kilo-watt or 1kW) rated transformer that could be used more flexibly. One thing to remember is an energised transformer uses current to magnetize the core whether loaded or not, so a 1000 watt transformer at about 98% efficiency will use about 20 watts of power at no load. Because of this it is always best left switched off at the mains when not in use.
A word of caution:- if you are connecting anything with a motor it could possibly run at 20% quicker and fail if there is no electronic speed control. This is due to the UK supply @ 50 cycles per second against the Canadian 60 cycles per second supply frequency.

Sorry for being a bit technical with the reply but at a recent interview a guy was asked what a transformer did, he replied ''it hummed..............!''
No, he didn't get the job either.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Fantastic a 1KW one it is then.

On the motor issue, would the small motor that turns the disc in the X-Box be affected ?:D

Re: Power Adapter
 

I would think it would be coverted to Direct Current to power the electronics. The lable should indicate whether the X-Box can run on 110V /60 cycles and/ or 240V/50 cycles. My comuters unfortunately do not the lable says 240V/50 cycles only so I need to change the power supplies inside to work in Canada or use a transformer.

Re: Power Adapter
 

Didn't he know the words then? :D :D