Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
Jan 27th 2005, 11:33 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
cameras.
How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
cameras.
How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
Jan 27th 2005, 12:17 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
"EuroTravel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
The sockets are different in continental Europe, accepting round pins
instead of flat. The UK is different again.
Buy yourself a converter plug, available at airports worldwide or your
friendly local electronics dealer.
Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240 volts,
otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you. Europe uses
roughly twice the voltage of USA.
Regards
David Bennetts
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
The sockets are different in continental Europe, accepting round pins
instead of flat. The UK is different again.
Buy yourself a converter plug, available at airports worldwide or your
friendly local electronics dealer.
Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240 volts,
otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you. Europe uses
roughly twice the voltage of USA.
Regards
David Bennetts
Jan 27th 2005, 12:21 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
>>>>> Buy yourself a converter plug, available at airports worldwide or your
>>>>> friendly local electronics dealer.
I've found the best value either at local U.S. hardware stores (like Ace)
or at big European electronics/computer warehouse places (like Saturn in
Germany): about $3 per plug.
>>>>>Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240
>>>>>volts, otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you.
Excellent advice--just read the fine print on the unit--it should say
something like 110-240 volts (with the former being U.S. current and the
latter being fine in Europe).
You should find wall plugs most anywhere you go.
>>>>> friendly local electronics dealer.
I've found the best value either at local U.S. hardware stores (like Ace)
or at big European electronics/computer warehouse places (like Saturn in
Germany): about $3 per plug.
>>>>>Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240
>>>>>volts, otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you.
Excellent advice--just read the fine print on the unit--it should say
something like 110-240 volts (with the former being U.S. current and the
latter being fine in Europe).
You should find wall plugs most anywhere you go.
Jan 27th 2005, 1:47 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
EuroTravel wrote:
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
>
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
The battery charger for my digital camera is dual current,
so only requires an adapter plug. If you're in doubt,
perhaps you should invest in a converter?
>
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
>
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
The battery charger for my digital camera is dual current,
so only requires an adapter plug. If you're in doubt,
perhaps you should invest in a converter?
>
Jan 27th 2005, 1:52 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
David Bennetts wrote:
>
> Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240 volts,
> otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you. Europe uses
> roughly twice the voltage of USA.
A lot of travel-type gadgets are dual current, these days.
However, I discovered that the little coil I have to boil
water in a cup works much better in Europe. (When I used it
in New York, the water took at least twice as long to come
to a boil!) Apparently dual current gadgets won't short
out, but the time involved may be different, depending upon
whether it's US or European current you're using.
>
> Make sure that your small items are capable of working on 220-240 volts,
> otherwise you're likely to find them doing a Chernobyl on you. Europe uses
> roughly twice the voltage of USA.
A lot of travel-type gadgets are dual current, these days.
However, I discovered that the little coil I have to boil
water in a cup works much better in Europe. (When I used it
in New York, the water took at least twice as long to come
to a boil!) Apparently dual current gadgets won't short
out, but the time involved may be different, depending upon
whether it's US or European current you're using.
Jan 27th 2005, 2:32 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
>>>>If you're in doubt, perhaps you should invest in a converter?
One problem is that there are two basic types of converters, and both cost
quite a bit more than the $3 plug. One converter is smaller and converts
220v current for use with higher-watt appliances. The other converter is
heftier because it converts 220v current for use with appliances that are
more delicate and run on less wattage (it is big & heavy and produces a lot
of heat).
Chances are you don't need either expensive converter, and can get by with
the $3 plug.
One problem is that there are two basic types of converters, and both cost
quite a bit more than the $3 plug. One converter is smaller and converts
220v current for use with higher-watt appliances. The other converter is
heftier because it converts 220v current for use with appliances that are
more delicate and run on less wattage (it is big & heavy and produces a lot
of heat).
Chances are you don't need either expensive converter, and can get by with
the $3 plug.
Jan 27th 2005, 3:55 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
EuroTravel wrote:
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
It's damned near impossible. They use different plugs and higher voltage.
You will need to get a converter. You can pick them up in luggage stores.
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
It's damned near impossible. They use different plugs and higher voltage.
You will need to get a converter. You can pick them up in luggage stores.
Jan 27th 2005, 4:26 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
EuroTravel <[email protected]> wrote:
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
>
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
cheers, :-)
Henry
> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> cameras.
>
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
cheers, :-)
Henry
Jan 27th 2005, 7:31 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
Am 27 Jan 2005 16:33:56 -0800 schrieb EuroTravel:
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
Outlets are not the same throughout Europe. Germany has different ones from
Switzerland, the UK has different ones, Spain has different ones and so on.
Best to get one of them Multi-Adapters, so you can use one in all
countries.
To find an outlet in your room ist normally no problem - in the worst case
you simply unplug the lamp on your bedsite-table and use this outlet.
Beware that in many countries the outlets in the bathroom are only for
shavers, e.g. you can't connect computer or hair-dryer there without
blowing the fuse.
Regards,
Frank
> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
Outlets are not the same throughout Europe. Germany has different ones from
Switzerland, the UK has different ones, Spain has different ones and so on.
Best to get one of them Multi-Adapters, so you can use one in all
countries.
To find an outlet in your room ist normally no problem - in the worst case
you simply unplug the lamp on your bedsite-table and use this outlet.
Beware that in many countries the outlets in the bathroom are only for
shavers, e.g. you can't connect computer or hair-dryer there without
blowing the fuse.
Regards,
Frank
Jan 27th 2005, 7:33 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
Am Thu, 27 Jan 2005 18:52:38 -0800 schrieb EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque):
> A lot of travel-type gadgets are dual current, these days.
Yes, but often you have to turn a little switch to change from 110 to 240
V. Don't forget it, otherwise you blow the thing up!
Regards,
Frank
> A lot of travel-type gadgets are dual current, these days.
Yes, but often you have to turn a little switch to change from 110 to 240
V. Don't forget it, otherwise you blow the thing up!
Regards,
Frank
Jan 27th 2005, 7:54 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
"Frank Hucklenbroich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Am 27 Jan 2005 16:33:56 -0800 schrieb EuroTravel:
>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
> Outlets are not the same throughout Europe. Germany has different ones
> from
> Switzerland, the UK has different ones, Spain has different ones and so
> on.
> Best to get one of them Multi-Adapters, so you can use one in all
> countries.
> To find an outlet in your room ist normally no problem - in the worst case
> you simply unplug the lamp on your bedsite-table and use this outlet.
> Beware that in many countries the outlets in the bathroom are only for
> shavers, e.g. you can't connect computer or hair-dryer there without
> blowing the fuse.
> Regards,
> Frank
You could probably get away with using the computer from such an outlet, but
not a hairdryer which would quite likely trip the breaker or blow a fuse.
Regards
David Bennetts
news:[email protected]...
> Am 27 Jan 2005 16:33:56 -0800 schrieb EuroTravel:
>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
> Outlets are not the same throughout Europe. Germany has different ones
> from
> Switzerland, the UK has different ones, Spain has different ones and so
> on.
> Best to get one of them Multi-Adapters, so you can use one in all
> countries.
> To find an outlet in your room ist normally no problem - in the worst case
> you simply unplug the lamp on your bedsite-table and use this outlet.
> Beware that in many countries the outlets in the bathroom are only for
> shavers, e.g. you can't connect computer or hair-dryer there without
> blowing the fuse.
> Regards,
> Frank
You could probably get away with using the computer from such an outlet, but
not a hairdryer which would quite likely trip the breaker or blow a fuse.
Regards
David Bennetts
Jan 27th 2005, 7:57 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
"Henry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1gr388q.jw95zwy07od2N%[email protected]...
> EuroTravel <[email protected]> wrote:
>> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
>> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
>> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
>> cameras.
>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
> Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
> the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
> electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
> reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
> 25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
> the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
> cheers, :-)
> Henry
Yes I can recollect staying in a hotel room for a long stay in Switzerland
which had a meagre 25 watt lamp in the room.
After the first night, it was off to the local supermarket to purchase a
decent wattage globe, left it there for the next guest, wonder how long
before management noticed?
Regards
David Bennetts
Australia
news:1gr388q.jw95zwy07od2N%[email protected]...
> EuroTravel <[email protected]> wrote:
>> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
>> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
>> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
>> cameras.
>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
> Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
> the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
> electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
> reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
> 25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
> the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
> cheers, :-)
> Henry
Yes I can recollect staying in a hotel room for a long stay in Switzerland
which had a meagre 25 watt lamp in the room.
After the first night, it was off to the local supermarket to purchase a
decent wattage globe, left it there for the next guest, wonder how long
before management noticed?
Regards
David Bennetts
Australia
Jan 27th 2005, 9:59 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
Dave Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
> EuroTravel wrote:
>
> > We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> > small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> > every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> > cameras.
> >
> > How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
>
> It's damned near impossible. They use different plugs and higher voltage.
> You will need to get a converter. You can pick them up in luggage stores.
It's quite likely, especially the newer they are, that the items
mentioned by the poster are compatible with different voltages.
As for finding electrical outlets, this shouldn't be a problem. I've
been in some pretty cheap rooms, and have always found an outlet.
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
> EuroTravel wrote:
>
> > We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
> > small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
> > every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
> > cameras.
> >
> > How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
>
> It's damned near impossible. They use different plugs and higher voltage.
> You will need to get a converter. You can pick them up in luggage stores.
It's quite likely, especially the newer they are, that the items
mentioned by the poster are compatible with different voltages.
As for finding electrical outlets, this shouldn't be a problem. I've
been in some pretty cheap rooms, and have always found an outlet.
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Jan 28th 2005, 1:50 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
Don't plan on plugging in anything at a hostel in any common areas and
then leaving it unattended. Even batteries will disappear in minutes.
Make sure it is in a locked room only.
K.
then leaving it unattended. Even batteries will disappear in minutes.
Make sure it is in a locked room only.
K.
Jan 28th 2005, 2:48 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 19:57:17 +1100, "David Bennetts"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Henry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:1gr388q.jw95zwy07od2N%[email protected]. ..
>> EuroTravel <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
>>> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
>>> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
>>> cameras.
>>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
>> Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
>> the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
>> electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
>> reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
>> 25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
>> the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
>> cheers, :-)
>> Henry
>Yes I can recollect staying in a hotel room for a long stay in Switzerland
>which had a meagre 25 watt lamp in the room.
>After the first night, it was off to the local supermarket to purchase a
>decent wattage globe, left it there for the next guest, wonder how long
>before management noticed?
>Regards
>David Bennetts
>Australia
"Aaaah, bugger this, I'm gaarn dan the supamarket t'get a propa wun"
Typical thing for an Australian to do, if you don't mind me saying!
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Henry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:1gr388q.jw95zwy07od2N%[email protected]. ..
>> EuroTravel <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> We will leave the USA to vist Europe this summer plan to carry a few
>>> small items that will need to be plugged in to be recharged at least
>>> every 2 days such as cells phones, PDA and battery chargers for digital
>>> cameras.
>>> How difficult will it be to find usuable electrical outlets?
>> Hmmm. From the subject line, I expected a rather different question than
>> the one the other repondents have been answering. To wit: '_are there_
>> electrical outlets in hostels and budget hotels?' I mean, you hear
>> reports about how--since electricity is so expensive--you only get
>> 25-watt bulbs in the reading lamps, the timer on the staircase switches
>> the lights off again after 3.7 seconds, when you're mid-step, &c., &c.
>> cheers, :-)
>> Henry
>Yes I can recollect staying in a hotel room for a long stay in Switzerland
>which had a meagre 25 watt lamp in the room.
>After the first night, it was off to the local supermarket to purchase a
>decent wattage globe, left it there for the next guest, wonder how long
>before management noticed?
>Regards
>David Bennetts
>Australia
"Aaaah, bugger this, I'm gaarn dan the supamarket t'get a propa wun"
Typical thing for an Australian to do, if you don't mind me saying!
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
