Charging batteries in Europe (Page 4): If you are planning on visiting various countries, you may want to get an adapter that allows you to use it in different countries. For example...

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

If you are planning on visiting various countries, you may want to get an adapter that allows you to use it in different countries. For example, the UK uses plugs that are totally different that Europe and parts of the Caribbean. Same goes for Asia and even most cruise ships may not have US plugs especially if they are not flagged in the US. Again eBay has these for a few $

blackest Loc: Ireland

James Slick wrote:

The voltage varies in the US (and I guess Canada too) by a similar percentage, but not confined to a specific region, more likely it's just whatever the local power company is. It ranges from 110v to 120v (I just tested a random outlet in my house with a DMM and it's 117.65 right now). Most things are voltage tolerant with in these ranges.

I just found it fun that electricity generators that had been running at around 240 volts for decades just became 220 volts with the stroke of a pen.

It's evening now and the voltage has dropped to 232v maybe because people are home now.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

blackest wrote:

I just found it fun that electricity generators that had been running at around 240 volts for decades just became 220 volts with the stroke of a pen.

It's evening now and the voltage has dropped to 232v maybe because people are home now.

Having moved from the UK to the US about 25 years ago, I still have some old UK 240V power tools. With some high wattage transformers some are still doing sterling service. The one thing that didn't translate was my old Bang & Olufsen turntable, the voltage wasn't an issue, but the 50 Hz to 60Hz caused a few problems. I've never been that fond of the Chipmunks anyway!

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

captken wrote:

My wife and I will be taking a European river cruise in a couple of weeks. I bought a power converter that will convert 220 to 110. However it will not convert 50 Hz to 60 hz. Accordingly the converter manufacturer advises that I only run the converter for 15 minutes and then leave it off 5 minutes. To me that's a formula for insanity while I'm trying to recharge my camera batteries that will take a couple of hours to recharge. Does anyone have a better solution?

On MOST of the new stuff 50 or 60 hz doesn't matter. My Nikon charger MH-25a for EN-EL15 battery (D750) says 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz.

dave.m

Prelies sofar have covered this answer in that almost any modern camera battery charger is 110/220v so only an adapter or alternative mains cord is needed.

Alternatively get the USB 5v charger for your battery eg http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Light-Single-Dual-Battery-Charger-USB-Cable-for-Canon-Sony-Nikon-Fuji-Camera-/112377006998?var=&hash=item1a2a310b96:m:mpcn9cBbiZDsFYXTozaJKPg

Then all you need is one of these or similar http://www.ebay.com/itm/8A-4-Port-USB-USB-C-Type-C-Travel-Wall-Fast-Charger-QC-3-0-Quick-Smart-Charging-/222577252035?var=&hash=item33d2a356c3:m:m35X76DprTt6dBj69ghNZ3Q

and you can charge camera batteries, phone, pad etc from one wall point. (and also charge from any suitable car accessory socket)

I live in UK so have been using these 'universal' chargers for ages in Europe and USA on vacation for ages without problems. The USB camera battery chargers are a fairly recent innovation, but again I have been using them for 6 months or more without problems. As I'm a bit anal about these things I tend to carry a 2 port spare and another camera battery charger in the checked bag but have never needed them.

Also, if you use usb cables to charge anything get decent ones. I tested a load of USB cables with one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Charger-Detector-Current-Voltage-Power-Tester-Digital-Volt-Amp-Meter-GYTH/142484155831?var=441478632200&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3Df29bb7fa1664451fb954798d0d225db0%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D111501696274&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

and was amazed at the difference with poor cables charging at .5A and good ones at 2A - chucked a bucket of cruddy cables as a result.

Enjoy your trip!

Base_fiddle

[quote=captken]My wife and I will be taking a European river cruise in a couple of weeks. I bought a power converter that will convert 220 to 110.

Captken, I've travel extensively in Europe on business and taken several cruises around Europe. I've always used my 220-110 converters and never had a problem. I've recharge Canon and Nikon batteries on ships and never had a problem. In fact, the never ships have the US type outlet to make it even easier to charge batteries.

Enjoy the trip.

joegim Loc: Long Island, NY

captken wrote:

My wife and I will be taking a European river cruise in a couple of weeks. I bought a power converter that will convert 220 to 110. However it will not convert 50 Hz to 60 hz. Accordingly the converter manufacturer advises that I only run the converter for 15 minutes and then leave it off 5 minutes. To me that's a formula for insanity while I'm trying to recharge my camera batteries that will take a couple of hours to recharge. Does anyone have a better solution?

No need to worry about converting 50 Hz to 60 Hz since the output current to the camera battery is DC, not AC. And as to operating a 60 Hz device with 50 Hz current should be no problem. I'm more worried about operating a 50 Hz device with 60 Hz current. But as mentioned by many most chargers now are rated for 50/60 Hz. I just checked my Panasonic & Olympus chargers and they are rated for 110-240V, 50/60 Hz.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

Peterff wrote:

Having moved from the UK to the US about 25 years ... (show quote)

Would the pitch control cover it? Legitimate question, I never gave it a thought. My only European electronic device is a mid 1960's (1966?) Grundig open reel tape deck (a German market unit, not export.) since all of the tapes made on it were made in the USA, the speed difference is naturally irrelevant, (unless played on a US deck, I guess?) But I have no idea if the pitch control on a high quality turntable (like a B&O) would be "wide" enough to cover the speed difference between 50Hz and 60Hz.

blackest Loc: Ireland

James Slick wrote:

Would the pitch control cover it? Legitimate quest... (show quote)

no expert but you probably have 4 rows of dots for 33 and 45 at 50hz and again for 60hz unless you're a fan of the chip monks it should be easy to figure which is right :)

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

blackest wrote:

no expert but you probably have 4 rows of dots for 33 and 45 at 50hz and again for 60hz unless you're a fan of the chip monks it should be easy to figure which is right :)

IKR, But my only turntable is a US market DUAL 510, But the post I was responding to has (had) a UK Market B&O turntable. So I was curious if the pitch control on his would "go low" enough to compensate for the difference in frequency sync. (for me to test the other way would require me to cart my Dual to the U.K.) P.S. In theory it would work with any decent turntable with pitch control, I just never tried it for real. But he brought a UK machine to the US, I just wonder if it works.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

James Slick wrote:

IKR, But my only turntable is a US market DUAL 510... (show quote)

Changing the pitch won't change the fact that a turntable made for 50hz power will be turning 20% faster at 60hz. It will still sound weird regardless of the pitch.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

LFingar wrote:

Changing the pitch won't change the fact that a turntable made for 50hz power will be turning 20% faster at 60hz. It will still sound weird regardless of the pitch.

That's what I thought, Just wasn't sure. Of course this is only a "thing" when dealing with actual music, With all of the autotune "singing" in today's "music" I'd be unlikely to detect any difference, LOL! P.S. IIRC , most pitch control is +/- 5 to 10%, So, Yeah, it's not gonna compensate for 20%!

joegim Loc: Long Island, NY

LFingar wrote:

Changing the pitch won't change the fact that a turntable made for 50hz power will be turning 20% faster at 60hz. It will still sound weird regardless of the pitch.

At the zero point of the pitch control (more accurately it is a rotational speed adjustment control) the 50 Hz TT will be turning faster than the 33-1/3 or 45 rpm speed. As James Slick had mentioned you hope that the 50 Hz turntable's pitch control adjustment range is wide enough to bring the speed to the industry standard. If that can be done the the TT will sound just like any properly adjusted TT. It will not sound weird.

The only problem I think is that the strobe light that is used by the user to properly adjust the speed is dependent on the input power frequency. If that's the case you then cannot use the TT strobe to properly adjust the rotational speed. You could use an external strobe or do it by ear. But if the TT strobe control is independent of the input power frequency then you'll be able to use the strobe to properly adjust the TT speed.

Another factor - will there be detrimental effects of powering a 50 Hz TT with 60 Hz power? Maybe someone can answer this. I know with batteries it might not be a big issue but with motors might it cause some issues?

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

joegim wrote:

At the zero point of the pitch control (more accur... (show quote)

You're right, I completely forget that the strobe would be a factor! I guess by ear would have to do! With a wide enough range, It should still work! 👍

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

joegim wrote:

At the zero point of the pitch control (more accur... (show quote)

There is a difference between adjusting rotational speed and adjusting pitch as originally mentioned. Pitch can be changed electronically independent of rotational speed but the sound output will still be compressed by the higher speed. Pitch control in a TT is usually only a fine tuning device, unable to cope with a 20% increase in electrical frequency. If the motor in the TT is of a type that can be controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive (not all can be) then that would solve the problem. VFD's can be used to reduce as well as increase motor speed by increasing or decreasing frequency. Exactly what would be needed when going from 50hz to 60hz. With the proper voltage and correct VFD the TT would think it was back in England. There are also VSD's (Variable Speed Drive). They can control some AC motors by increasing or decreasing the voltage. Almost certainly what the TT pitch control is. Inexpensive but best used for minor adjustments. Primarily, they compensate for the slight variations in voltage that occur from location to location, sometimes even within the same building. If the voltage were exactly the same throughout the electrical grid there would probably be little if any need for them on TT's. That's not the case, of course.
Will running a 50hz motor on 60hz power hurt it? Depends on the motor. In this case it's not an issue since the only practical solution is to reduce the hz using a VFD. Nothing you do will make it sound right unless the motor speed is correct. To do that you need the correct frequency.
As far as battery charging, AC from a wall socket is converted in a battery charger to what is called "pulsating DC". Same as the alternator in a car. Constant DC is only available in today's world from things like solar panels or other non-mechanical power sources. Fuel cells, perhaps. Not sure about that. No experience with them.