multi country electrical charger with dual USB adapters for charging

[WldWil]

Being a small business owner and tech support person, it is necessary to have some connection via Internet. I do have some support while I am gone, but not at my level. The electronics is what allows me to even do the Camino. Imagine if your email and website went down and you called Tech support to be told they will get to it in a few weeks…

The good news is that I’ll be able to handle most emergencies through a 7”pad and trying to see if I can do it with my android phone. I will suffer the weight of a camera, although not my SLR sadly given the avid photographer I am.

Currently I am self justifying some of the weight since I’ll be digitizing and carrying only electronic books and guides and should even out.

I am writing this post because I found a gadget that seems really cool at http://tinyurl.com/pqkxmst

It is a multi country electrical charger with dual USB adapters for charging. In other words, you can charge a camera and phone at the same time from almost any style outlet. Plus, it lets you piggyback an additional plug in it to be a good neighbor and not an outlet hog.

I figure this combines an outlet converter, 2 chargers and multi plug-in all into one. It looks like a great way to trim things down. Anyone use something like this?

 

[naplesdon]

No, but charging is an issue if you follow some of the threads about security of your devices and lack of power points in albegues. My son gave me a Waka Waka solar charge for Christmas, it does not have a 2 prong electric outlet but there are 2 USB ports which would allow one to charge a phone or camera with USB ports. It has a halogen light with 4 power settings as well.

 

[WldWil]

Hi Biarritzdon,
I have been looking at a Solar Panel Charger 6000mAh that could optionally be charged from an outlet. It ways 5.3 ounces and is about $25. How do you like the unit you have?

I already have portable resupply units because of gifts in my job that I really like as backups when traveling where weight is not a big deal, but they are not solar. I even looked at a Bushnell Solarwrap system that has a panel that rolls out and makes your pack look solar powered. I bet that would really go over big on the Camino. lol.

 

[NicoZ]

Being a small business owner and tech support person, it is necessary to have some connection via Internet. I do have some support while I am gone, but not at my level. The electronics is what allows me to even do the Camino. Imagine if your email and website went down and you called Tech support to be told they will get to it in a few weeks…

The good news is that I’ll be able to handle most emergencies through a 7”pad and trying to see if I can do it with my android phone. I will suffer the weight of a camera, although not my SLR sadly given the avid photographer I am.

Currently I am self justifying some of the weight since I’ll be digitizing and carrying only electronic books and guides and should even out.

I am writing this post because I found a gadget that seems really cool at http://tinyurl.com/pqkxmst

It is a multi country electrical charger with dual USB adapters for charging. In other words, you can charge a camera and phone at the same time from almost any style outlet. Plus, it lets you piggyback an additional plug in it to be a good neighbor and not an outlet hog.

I figure this combines an outlet converter, 2 chargers and multi plug-in all into one. It looks like a great way to trim things down. Anyone use something like this?

What countries are you going to? A simple two outlet USB charger will fit Spain,France,Italy,Germany and likely others without an adapter. The main EU country you'll need an adapter for is the UK. While the one you pointed isn't that expensive it is a little more then what you'd pay for a simple two pin EU charger. It's also butt ugly.

 

[naplesdon]

I have not had a chance to put the Waka Waka to a real time test other than to try it out to see how it works. It's a pretty clever device but I think the intensity of the light is a little overboard.

 

[WldWil]

Hi Nicole, I thought you needed a converter when coming from USA to Spain

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Hi Nicole, I thought you needed a converter when coming from USA to Spain

You need an adapter, not a converter.

 

[WldWil]

Good catch. Adapter it is,not converter. I doubled check and that is what I linked to.

 

[SYates]

You need an adapter, not a converter.

That depends on the type of electronics he intends to bring. If they are only able to work with 110V, they will not work (or worse could be damaged) in the 220V country that is Spain (and most of Europe). See also http://aboutspaintravel.com/what-type-electric-power-adapters-are-needed-spain-us-travelers/
Buen Camino! SY

 

[Johan]

I suppose the 2 pronge plug supplied with my tablet will work in Portugal/Spain?

 

[Johan]

FYI:
Power Supply Voltage around the World
http://www.sensorcentral.com/worldsupport/standards12.php

 

[NicoZ]

I suppose the 2 pronge plug supplied with my tablet will work in Portugal/Spain?

Two prong/pin EU yes. Two prong North America no.

 

[peregrina2000]

I suppose the 2 pronge plug supplied with my tablet will work in Portugal/Spain?

Hi, Johan, this is what your plug needs to look like to fit into a Spanish plug. You just stick your US prongs into the top end of this thing and, voila, you can use the Spanish plug. They are cheap and readily available in the US. They tend to be much more expensive in Spain. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[grayland]

That depends on the type of electronics he intends to bring. If they are only able to work with 110V, they will not work (or worse could be damaged) in the 220V country that is Spain (and most of Europe). See also http://aboutspaintravel.com/what-type-electric-power-adapters-are-needed-spain-us-travelers/
Buen Camino! SY

Actually, almost all electronics today are dual voltage ...so the need for a voltage converter is rare. It would need to be a pretty old device to not be dual voltage.

If anyone is in doubt...just look at spec plate on device and look for "110/220v"
If that is written there...it does not require a converter.

The plug adaptor is needed as the plug ends are different in Europe.

It is a good idea to mark your adaptor and charging gear with distinctive marks as there are often many similar plugged in to the same outlet. Colored tape works well.
It makes it less likely that someone will walk off with it accidentally.

 

[jsalt]

I suppose the 2 pronge plug supplied with my tablet will work in Portugal/Spain?

Hi Johan
Yes, if you bought your tablet (with a small two pin plug) in South Africa it will work in Portugal/Spain.
(But definitely not the big round South African 3 pin plug.)
Jill

 

[Saramago]

I brought two adapters last year from the local hardware store. One was for Southern Europe and one was for Northern Europe. A couple of bucks maximum. That store also carries adapters for our European visitors who come each year and need adapters for the U.S. If you lose your adapter you can easily replace it in a hardware store overseas for a couple bucks, no more. I left one in a wall in Roncevalles and easily picked up another in Pamplona. No big deal.

 

[WldWil]

• Dual USB port: 3.1 amps (shared by 2 ports: 2.1A, 1.0A). AC Input: 125V 6A or 250V 3A, Output: 125/250V (Attention: adapter does not convert AC voltage)

does this make sense that it takes care of the issue for converting and adapting

 

[Anemone del Camino]

That depends on the type of electronics he intends to bring. If they are only able to work with 110V, they will not work (or worse could be damaged) in the 220V country that is Spain (and most of Europe). See also http://aboutspaintravel.com/what-type-electric-power-adapters-are-needed-spain-us-travelers/
Buen Camino! SY

With the list of items he has listed, an adapter is all he needs. Unless WldWil plans on ironing shirts and pants every morning he'll be fine.

 

[dougfitz]

• Dual USB port: 3.1 amps (shared by 2 ports: 2.1A, 1.0A). AC Input: 125V 6A or 250V 3A, Output: 125/250V (Attention: adapter does not convert AC voltage)

does this make sense that it takes care of the issue for converting and adapting

Yes, but you might want to check what input voltages your devices charge best at. I have a tablet that was supplied with a charger operating at 5.2V, a little more than the standard 5.0V of most USB chargers. It takes much longer to charge using a standard USB port than on its own charger.

If you find this to be the case with your electronic devices, you might still want to take the OEM's charger.

 

[WldWil]

Yes, but you might want to check what input voltages your devices charge best at. I have a tablet that was supplied with a charger operating at 5.2V, a little more than the standing 5.0V of most USB chargers. It takes much longer to charge using a standard USB port than on its own charger.

If you find this to be the case with your electronic devices, you might still want to take the OEM's charger.

One more reason to test at home before leaving. Good advice. It is fairly inexpensive, so I think it is worth trying out.

 

[t2andreo]

I always TEST and WEIGH my alternative solutions before departure. IMHO the "best" solution is the one that both works and is the lightest.

The thing most folks need to consider is that mobile phones, smart phones and cameras can charge using a 1.0 Amp charger. However, most tablets and readers require a 2.1 Amp charger. In the Apple world, the 2.1 Amp charger that comes with an iPad works well to charge an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

I hope this helps clarify...

 

[NicoZ]

The thing most folks need to consider is that mobile phones, smart phones and cameras can charge using a 1.0 Amp charger. However, most tablets and readers require a 2.1 Amp charger. In the Apple world, the 2.1 Amp charger that comes with an iPad works well to charge an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

.

My tablet charges slowly if off even with a 1amp charger. If the tablet is on the charger will keep the battery even but it won't increase the charge.

 

[dougfitz]

The thing most folks need to consider is that mobile phones, smart phones and cameras can charge using a 1.0 Amp charger. However, most tablets and readers require a 2.1 Amp charger. In the Apple world, the 2.1 Amp charger that comes with an iPad works well to charge an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

Its not that tablets and readers will not charge if you are using a 1.0A or even a 0.5A charger, it just won't be quick, twice to four times as long, and you may need to turn your screen off as well.

Also be aware that fast charge regimes are not as good for battery life as slower charging. It probably won't make much difference on a camino, but it will in the long run if you use a 2.0A charger on a device that might happily charge overnight using a lower power charger.

 

[t2andreo]

Good point Doug! Thanks for the assist.

I forgot about the downstream effects of too rapid charging. I use separate chargers at home, but tend to use the 2.1 Amp charger when traveling to save weight. There ARE dual chargers (2.1 + 1.0 Amp) out there. If you can find one that is 110/220 volt compatible, and reasonably priced, that could a good solution.

I stand corrected...

 

[naplesdon]

Tom, you and Doug are way too techie for me. I'll be interested to see how this Waka Waka thing works because I know my ancient Nokia cellphone and my Nikon Coolpix camera charger lights go on when I connect them to this charger. How long does it take to charge? Dunno and don't care because I don't depend on my electronics.
Interesting story about my cellphone, I got it at a T-Mobile shop in DC after I was medevac'd from West Africa in 2005. It was free, it was unlocked and there was no monthly plan, go figure. For ten years this thing has been a work horse, knock wood! I was on a plane last month sitting next to a pilot who was deadheading and he asked me, "What the hell is that?" I said, "A living fossil."

 

[t2andreo]

I am still using a Samsung flip-phone that is quad band. It allows me to rapidly swap out SIM cards when I leave the US for Europe. I have a prepaid Carrefour Mobile account in Belgium that I maintained from when I used to live there (2006-2008).

I DO carry a separate iPod Touch (v5, 64 Gb) for everything else (e-mail, e-reader, language guides, translators, dictionaries, maps, travel guides, MP3 music, movies, etc.). However, many of these functions will only work when I have Wi-Fi. For all voice and text, I am content with the flip phone. It rides in a waterproof Lok-Sak pouch in a cargo pocket.

I was using a "soap bar" old-school phone but the exposed buttons kept unlocking the keys and dialing strange numbers, whether in a pocket or a case on my belt. This depleted my prepaid account. It was very annoying. So, I went on Amazon and found the unlocked Euro-spec quad band phone for USD 54. it as large buttons, and it flips shut to protect the keyboard. Everything worked out. The phone travels in another Lok-Sak pouch in another trouser pocket so it is always on me.

As it turns out, I only carry the "sugar cube" Apple iPhone/iPod charger, and a cable I found that has a micro-USB plug for my phone and a lightning plug for the iPod Touch. It is sold by a company called Enercell. I think it is a Radio Shack subsidiary or brand.

As I bought an Apple adapter in an Apple store Spain in 2013, I usually take a Schuko to US plug adapter. This way, I only use the two round prong EU spec charger in Europe and avoid losing the adapter, instead of the other way around. Also, carrying one cable keeps the weight and complexity down.

It works for me.

 

[hampshire!tim]

I take a 4xUSB charger with a Euro 2 round pin moulded on (i.e. not multi-region)
I used this fine and it works well.
If you are in a public place it halves or more the time you need to have your kit exposed, and you waiting in the vicinity, and also cuts the time you are hogging the scocket

But on Amazon you can buy 4xUSB with region-specific connectors (USA, UK, EURO) which be better for you, e.g. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RVD0SLK/?tag=casaivar02-20

Also you could try this and swap the USA cable with a similar EURO cable - widely available :
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KW0VX8G/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Sixwheeler]

Before you do anything have a look at the Anker USB charger, mine has five output ports and it charges at the appropriate rate for the item to be charged and when it's charged that port shuts down. You probably don't need that many ports but you can share your ports with others. I bought mine from Amazon in France so it comes with the right power cord for European wall sockets. It works well for me and comes with me everywhere. Good Luck.