Danny B

I am thinking of buying a camera from the USA,
Question: Can I snip off the US plug and connect a UK plug in it's place to the battery charger or do I have to get a transformer of some description?

Cheers

davegtt

Well chances are the digi camera would require something like 9 or 12 volts to charge which means you will have to buy a PSU over here which should be fairly easy for about a tenner IMO.

Danny B

What about using one of those travel adaptors that American tourists must use when they come over here on holiday? Would that work?
Cheers

Les Behan

To be on the safe side, I'd get yourself a mains adapter from Maplins or the like. Converts 240 to 110 and cost about £20.

Cheers
Les

tiggers

Danny, you need to look at (or get the specs of) the adapter (transformer) and see what the input voltages are. If the spec says 110V - 240V/ 50 - 60 Hz - you're fine. If it stipulates 110V only then you will need to buy and after market transformer for the UK voltage.

Regards,

tiggers.

davegtt

I cant understand you lot, the camera is hardly going to be 110v... its going to be 9 or 12v and the PSU will convert 110v to 9 or 12v so ditch it and buy a general 1 from CPC for £7 that converts 230v to 9 or 12. u need to know the exact spec of the camera

tiggers

What's not to understand? Many appliances these days come with transformers that will accept multiple voltgaes and frequencies. What's the point of buying an after market transformer if all you might need to do is change the plug top on the one supplied. That's all I was saying really.

Danny B

Thanks for all the replies, I will check the camera voltages when it arrives and get the necessary bits then.

midget1500

chargers are tad different than PSU's though!

ivs-spec-c

I have used both my Canon and Nikon US chargers in the UK both have 110v -220 volt input, all that was needed was a plug adapter.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

A transformer in a bog standard no frills charger reduces the voltage in a ratio proportion to the input voltage. So a 110v transformer outputing 12volts will output 24volts when ran on 240volts...blowing the rectifier circuitry, regulator and maybe even the camera it's plugged into.


You need to be VERY careful, look at the charger/powersupply and read off the input voltage, a charger/psu with a good regulation ciruitry can reduce voltage to the correct level...BUT ONLY IF IT SAYS IT CAN!

By that the input voltage stapmed on the ID plate should read "110-240volts ~AC".

If it reads "110volts ~AC", then it won't work here in the UK, or just blow up.

Most stuff generally is 110-240volt but the cheaper stuff may not be.

Danny B

Thanks Ali, I may PM you when it arrives just to double check.
Cheers

sparkykev

Dont forget to check the polarity if you go for an aftermarket adaptor/transformer ie, centre pin + or - .