Electrical questions
tim...@mailcity.com
went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
her digital camera.
Now Magellans has an "electrical" wizard which is supposed to guide
fools such as myself into what to buy, but it quickly got complicated,
as apparently the "fix" for the hairdryer won't work for the battery
charger, and since a batter charger will be on for more than 30
minutes, at least according to how I read their adviser, I need to
purchase some $267 transformer, which, sorry, ain't gonna happen.
Can anyone with practical experience clear this up for me. If she
leaves the hair dryer behind, I guess that would help....but I am
thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide hair
dryers as is common in the States.
PTRAVEL
<tim...@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:1141153085.5...@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
Most battery chargers do not need a transformer -- only a plug adapter.
Look at the charger and see if it says, 120/240 volts 50/60 Hz (or some
similar variation, e.g. 110/220, etc.). If so, just get a plug adapter and
it will work fine.
As for hair dryers, they usually need transformers, though I've seen dual
voltage hair dryers that will work with only a plug adapter. Also, many
hotels have a 110 volt outlet in the bathroom specifically for hair dryers
(do not plug electronics into it).
If Magellan wants $267 for a power transformer, they are grossly overpriced.
Check out Radio Shack, which is only moderately overpriced, or any travel
store.
>
Calif Bill
Lots of battery chargers are dual voltage. Probably the one she now has is.
Been build that way for at least 10 years. You will need a plug conversion
kit. Allows the USA NEMA plugs to be plugged in to the different European
Receptacles. As to hairdryer and curling irons, there is not a converter
available that will run them that you would want to pack. Have her go to
the local Wal-mart, department store and get a dual voltage hairdryer and
curling iron if she wants one of those also. Will be about $10 for the
hairdryer. Conair makes a lot of dual voltage units.
george
The problem with hair dryers and curlers is that they are high
resistance items that have high wattages. This requires a large and
expensive transformer. The easiest solution is to just buy a dual
voltage hairdryer, and then only an adapter plug(s) for the socket will
be needed. If you can't buy one in the US, have her buy a cheap one in
Europe and throw it away when she leaves. This would certainly be less
bother than lugging around a heavy duty transformer.
If her battery charger isn't dual voltage, just buy another one that
is. They're inexpensive, just make sure that the DC end fits her
battery charger. You'll also need an adapter plug(s).
George
jf...@my-deja.com
vac to half-wave recttified 220 vdc. These are usually light (2-4
ounces), low cost (should be under US$20), and rated at 500-1000 watts
or more.
If the battery charger is not already compatible with European
voltages, you need to get a converter that has a real transformer.
These are usually heavier (8 ounces and up), more expensive (over
US$20), and rated at 30-100 watts. You can also get one from All
Electronics in Van Nuys, California for $5.95+tax+shipping, with more
information available at
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/TC-50/790970/50W_EURO_VOLTAGE_CONVERTER_.html
If you get both, don't mix them up, or you can damage the converter,
the equipment, or both. Radio Shack also has a "dual-wattage"
converter for $39.99 at
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062420&cp=&kw=travel+converter&parentPage=search
but I would consider the danger of damage too great to justify the
savings in weight and space.
trallala
and a battery charger fr $20
they will event work in the US, because bi-voltage is more common here
why carry all this stuff when you can buy it cheap locally
"Calif Bill" <bmcke...@ix.netcom.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
Ue1Nf.4577$F56....@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
Poetic Justice
PTRAVEL
"trallala" <no_...@wrong.com> wrote in message
news:4404b03f$0$25555$636a...@news.free.fr...
> you can find a hair dryer in Europe for 20$
>
> and a battery charger fr $20
You cannot buy battery chargers specific to, for example, video cameras,
computers or digital still cameras for anything remotely approaching $20.
>
> they will event work in the US, because bi-voltage is more common here
Virtually all portable electronics sold in the US (and everywhere else in
the world) are dual voltage. It is not true that dual voltage is more
common outside the US.
>
> why carry all this stuff when you can buy it cheap locally
Because, (1) you can not buy it cheap locally, (2) you may not even be able
to find it locally, and (3) people don't want to spend their travel time
going from electronics store to electronics store looking for a hard-to-find
accessory.
Marcus Fox
> went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
> getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
> her digital camera.
Both easy and cheap enough to buy when she gets there. Don't bring the
American ones or mess around with expensive transformers.
Marcus
Marcus Fox
"PTRAVEL" <ptravel8...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:46jsn7F...@individual.net...
>
> "trallala" <no_...@wrong.com> wrote in message
> news:4404b03f$0$25555$636a...@news.free.fr...
> > you can find a hair dryer in Europe for 20$
> >
> > and a battery charger fr $20
>
> You cannot buy battery chargers specific to, for example, video cameras,
> computers or digital still cameras for anything remotely approaching $20.
A charger to charge AA batteries (which is what the OP mentioned) can be
purchased for a less than $20 in Europe.
Marcus
S Viemeister
>
>
> As for hair dryers, they usually need transformers, though I've seen dual
> voltage hair dryers that will work with only a plug adapter. Also, many
> hotels have a 110 volt outlet in the bathroom specifically for hair dryers
> (do not plug electronics into it).
>
for use with hair dryers! They're for things like shavers and electric
toothbrushes, although I would imagine a battery recharger might also be
okay with them.
I'd buy a local hairdryer (assuming her current one isn't dual voltage)-
they aren't that expensive, and it can be used on later trips.
trallala
in finding stupid rip-off priced interfaces
which are even hazardous to use in Europe ?
"PTRAVEL" <ptravel8...@yahoo.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
46jsn7F...@individual.net...
Robert J Carpenter
>I
> went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
> getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger"
> for
> her digital camera.
I bought a digital camera that uses AA cells about 3 years ago. I had
a
hard time finding a 115/230V dual voltage charger here in the
Washington, DC,
suburbs. The one I found was at a premium price. Maybe the situation
is better now.
I'd certainly avoid buying a transformer for the charger. Just
another thing
to carry around and they're heavy for their size.
Have your neice carry a set of AA alkyline cells for use after her
rechargable
batterie run down if she hasn't bought a charger in Europe by then. I
always
carry a set of primary batteries since the rechargables always seem to
run
down at the wrong moment. The BIG advantage of a camera that uses AA
cells is that you can buy batteries everywhere if the rechargables run
down.
Alan S
<no_...@wrong.com> wrote:
>you can find a hair dryer in Europe for 20$
>
>and a battery charger fr $20
>
>they will event work in the US, because bi-voltage is more common here
>
>why carry all this stuff when you can buy it cheap locally
Best answer you've had.
As the others have said, check the battery charger - it is
probably dual voltage. You'll need a converter plug/socket
if you take it, but not a transformer.
Also, if you buy a conversion plug/socket that includes an
earth plug, you'll need a different one for Switzerland.
Best to get a two-pin unless an earth is essential.
Italy and France:
o o o
Switzerland
o o
o
The two outer holes are the same, but the inner/earth is not
in line. From memory, US sockets don't have an earth anyway
IIRC.
Cheers, Alan, Australia
PTRAVEL
"Marcus Fox" <please-reply-via-newsgroup-th@-i-posted-to.com> wrote in
message news:Z53Nf.11291$Ru5....@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
You are correct. I missed the AA battery reference in the original post.
>
> Marcus
>
>
>
PTRAVEL
> you prefer to spend time before
> in finding stupid rip-off priced interfaces
> which are even hazardous to use in Europe ?
Prices for electronics tend to be lower in the US than in Europe,
particularly given the current exchange rate. There is nothing hazardous
about using either travel transformers or dual-voltage chargers in Europe.
James Silverton
RJ> <tim...@mailcity.com> wrote in message
RJ>
news:1141153085.5...@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
??>> A niece is going to Switzerland, Italy and france in
??>> couple of weeks. I went to the Magellan Store
??>> (http://www.magellans.com) to see about getting an
??>> electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
??>> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery"
??>> charger" for her digital camera.
RJ> I bought a digital camera that uses AA cells about 3 years
RJ> ago. I had a
RJ> hard time finding a 115/230V dual voltage charger here in
RJ> the Washington, DC,
RJ> suburbs. The one I found was at a premium price. Maybe
RJ> the situation is better now.
They aren't hard to find (Radio Shack for example) but there
also some which are single voltage so it pays to look. I've got
both and took the wrong one to Europe on my last visit!
James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland
tim...@mailcity.com
tim...@mailcity.com wrote:
> A niece is going to Switzerland, Italy and france in couple of weeks. I
> went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
> getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
> her digital camera.
Original poster here again. Thanks much for all the information. All
outrageously valuable, and I am starting to understand the needs here.
I was a bit skeptical about the posts stating that odds are that the
battery charger is already dual voltage, since I looked at it and it
doesn't have any sort of switch to change, such as I've seen on other
products.
But I looked it up on the web and apparently it IS dual-voltage, it
just does it automatically.
Here's the charger, for those interested:
http://www.thomas-distributing.com/maha-powerex-mh-c204w-nimh-battery-charger.htm
As for the hairdryer, I personally say don't bother, but I'm not a
16-year-old female. Like the "buy a dual voltage cheapie at Wally's
World or some similar outlet."
So, now it looks as if we'll just have to get a couple of adapters.
Thanks again. Tim!
PTRAVEL
<tim...@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:1141166259.3...@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I was a bit skeptical about the posts stating that odds are that the
> battery charger is already dual voltage, since I looked at it and it
> doesn't have any sort of switch to change, such as I've seen on other
> products.
>
> But I looked it up on the web and apparently it IS dual-voltage, it
> just does it automatically.
> Here's the charger, for those interested:
>
http://www.thomas-distributing.com/maha-powerex-mh-c204w-nimh-battery-charger.htm
>
Definitely dual-voltage. Most such electronic devices don't have switches,
but just detect the correct voltage and manage it automatically.
> As for the hairdryer, I personally say don't bother, but I'm not a
> 16-year-old female. Like the "buy a dual voltage cheapie at Wally's
> World or some similar outlet."
Note that dual voltage hair dryers usually _do_ have a switch.
Keith W
> news:4404b03f$0$25555$636a...@news.free.fr...
>> you can find a hair dryer in Europe for 20$
>>
>> and a battery charger fr $20
>
> You cannot buy battery chargers specific to, for example, video cameras,
> computers or digital still cameras for anything remotely approaching $20.
>
The OP specified a charger for type AA cells and you certainly CAN
get one of those for under $20
Keith
Alan S
>
>As for the hairdryer, I personally say don't bother, but I'm not a
>16-year-old female. Like the "buy a dual voltage cheapie at Wally's
>World or some similar outlet."
Buy one there. Cheap as dirt, throw it away when you leave.
Same as the electric kettle I bought while travelling in the
USA - there are no tea-making facilities in most of your
motels/hotels, and I get sick of coffee. $12 in the Biloxi
BX. I gave it to the concierge when I left New York. I did a
similar thing purchasing a hot-plate (€12) and skillet (€6)
in Italy for breakfasts while wandering Europe.
Hair-dryers will probably be for sale (convenient but
over-priced) in the duty-free store at the airport -
departing or arriving. I don't recommend dual-voltage for
something resistive like a hair-dryer. The circuitry either
gets too hot or adds too much to the price. Try to buy one
that only has two pins - then you won't need the extra
adaptor for Switzerland.
And don't plug it into the low-current shaver outlet -
likely to blow a fuse or trip a circuit-breaker. Find a
standard outlet.
Cheers, Alan, Australia
Robert J Carpenter
"Alan S" <not...@there.com> wrote in message
> From memory, US sockets don't have an earth anyway
All US outlets installed in the past 40 years or so have provision for
a ground/earth pin. See kropla.com. [see reservation below]
Outlets in the bathrooms of most US hotels have a builtin
ground-fault-isolator. I can't remember if this means they don't have
provision for plugs with a ground pin.
Dave Smith
Go to the a luggage store or the luggage department of your nearest
department store and pick up a Samsonite Convertor/Adaptor kit. They run
$30-40 and it will give you all the adapters you need to use your favourite
electrical devices anywhere in the world.
Henry Moravec
economical--I bought one in Herties last summer in Munich for 12 Euros
which included 2 metal-hydride batteries--how inexpensive can one get?
Heinrich
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
tim...@mailcity.com wrote:
> A niece is going to Switzerland, Italy and france in couple of weeks. I
> went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
> getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
> her digital camera.
>
> Now Magellans has an "electrical" wizard which is supposed to guide
> fools such as myself into what to buy, but it quickly got complicated,
> as apparently the "fix" for the hairdryer won't work for the battery
> charger, and since a batter charger will be on for more than 30
> minutes, at least according to how I read their adviser, I need to
> purchase some $267 transformer, which, sorry, ain't gonna happen.
>
> Can anyone with practical experience clear this up for me. If she
> leaves the hair dryer behind, I guess that would help....but I am
> thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide hair
> dryers as is common in the States.
Most portable hair-dryers are dual current, nowadays (as are
most battery chargers for digital cameras). You should
check the ones she has, but she can probably get by with
just adapter plugs to fit the variousl plug-in sockets
she'll encounter. (If her hair dryer is not dual current,
they're not very expensive - she'd probably be better off
just buying a new one that CAN be used everywhere.)
It depends upon what you consider "moderate", but almost
every European three-star hotel in which I've stayed DID
provide hair-dryers - more or less as a built-in bathroom
fixture.
>
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
rr19...@hotmail.com wrote:
> thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide hair
> dryers as is common in the States.
>
> they do they are called towels!
Very funny! Obviously you are not a woman - hair of any
length usually requires "setting", or at least some careful
manipulation with a brush and hair-dryer. I wear my hair
short enough so all I need do is comb it and perhaps "fluff"
it a bit after washing it when I shower. It's generally dry
by the time I'm dressed and ready to go out. However, not
everyone is so lucky - if you have thick hair, and want to
spend your day being a tourist (instead of drying your hair
for hours) you need something more efficient than a towel!
>
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Jens Arne Maennig wrote:
> tim...@mailcity.com wrote:
>
>
>>I am thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide
>>hair dryers as is common in the States.
>
>
> No, but for what reason should they, as they are not equipped with
> running water to wash your hair either (except when it's raining through
> the roof).
Really? That may be true out in the "boonies" in Eastern
Europe, perhaps, but CERTIANLY not in Switzerland or
France!(As a matter of fact, I've found the bathroom
fixtures in European hotels are usually more modern than
those I find when treaveling within the U.S.)
>
> Jens
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Robert J Carpenter wrote:
>
> I bought a digital camera that uses AA cells about 3 years ago. I had
> a
> hard time finding a 115/230V dual voltage charger here in the
> Washington, DC,
> suburbs. The one I found was at a premium price. Maybe the situation
> is better now.
The charger I have CAME with the camera! (And takes up very
little space.)
Donald Newcomb
news:1141153085.5...@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> A niece is going to Switzerland, Italy and france in couple of weeks. I
> went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
> getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
> she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
> her digital camera.
Your niece should watch her demands. It is much cheaper to get her a
multi-voltage hair dryer, but in my experience, most hotels in Europe have
hair dryers, so it's best to leave it behind. Also, they sell AA batteries
in Europe, so there is no need to carry a heavy battery charger plus a
heavier transformer. Never carry a transformer. If your equipment is not
multi-voltage, get new equipment. Only carry the necessary plug converters.
If your nice does not like the news, tell her to stay at home and you go in
her place.
--
Donald R. Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
Alan S
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <evg...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
Hair? That funny fine stuff that catches the dirt? I vaguely
remember it from my youth.
Cheers, Alan, Australia
First god made man beautiful,
Then she added hair.
Calif Bill
$10 US. And the problem in most of Europe is describing what you want to
someone who does not speak much English. Most of the vocabulary books do
not refer to battery chargers or hairdryers from what I have seen. And the
OP can get the size they want. You can buy a dual voltage battery charger
with a couple extra AA of about $10 also. Why spend your vacation time
shopping for stuff you could bring from home?
"trallala" <no_...@wrong.com> wrote in message
news:4404c410$0$25562$636a...@news.free.fr...
Calif Bill
There is no travel transformer to convert from 240 to 110 for a hairdryer.
the transformer would have be huge to handle 1500 watts continuous.
Calif Bill
"Robert J Carpenter" <rca...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:TPudnSZ-lcDrbpnZ...@rcn.net...
They all have ground pin receptacles. You do not have to have a ground pin,
but anything built in the last 45 years will have ground pin receptacles.
Calif Bill
"Donald Newcomb" <DRNe...@NOT.attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:44052af9$1@kcnews01...
The dual voltage battery charger that came with my Sony digital does both
AAA and AA batteries and weighs maybe 3 oz. Is about 3/4" thick by 3x4".
Keith W
"Dave Smith" <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:4404F626...@sympatico.ca...
> tim...@mailcity.com wrote:
>
>
> Go to the a luggage store or the luggage department of your nearest
> department store and pick up a Samsonite Convertor/Adaptor kit. They run
> $30-40 and it will give you all the adapters you need to use your
> favourite
> electrical devices anywhere in the world.
>
>
Be careful to get the right model and match it to the drier. Samsonite
do a 1600 W model which will handle some hairdriers for intermittent
use but most converters handle much lower power levels.
Keith
B Vaughan
>A niece is going to Switzerland, Italy and france in couple of weeks. I
>went to the Magellan Store (http://www.magellans.com) to see about
>getting an electrical converter/adapter/transformer, etc. for her as
>she demands to take a hairdryer as well as a "AA battery" charger" for
>her digital camera.
Most hair dryers are dual voltage and therefore don't require any
conversion of current. You would just need a plug adapter. Most hotels
can lend you one, and, if not, you can get one for a very small price
in almost any hardware store.
Battery chargers also are usually dual voltage, as they have to
convert the current to 12 V anyway.
Look at the appliance to see if it says something like Input: 100-240
v. On the hair dryer, it would be written near the cord; on the
battery charger, it would usually be near the plug, on the converter
that comes with the battery charger.
If your appliances aren't already dual voltage, you can buy a cheap
little travel hair dryer and a basic battery charger for less than
what a converter capable of handling both appliances would cost.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
B Vaughan
<ptravel8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>As for hair dryers, they usually need transformers, though I've seen dual
>voltage hair dryers that will work with only a plug adapter. Also, many
>hotels have a 110 volt outlet in the bathroom specifically for hair dryers
>(do not plug electronics into it).
In my experience, every travel hair dryer I've ever seen was dual
voltage. Since they cost very little, it would make sense to buy one
instead of a converter that may or may not work.
trallala
usually ask for one at the reception ( spain ). The girls here dont
run in the streets with long wet hairs (;-)
so you definitively dont need to bring your own.
The high power adapters and the transformes sold in the US should
not be used here in Europe. Mostly they dont even have a CE mark, present
lack
of grouding connection and its a liability problem if something happens (
fire and so ).
( Electrical products without CE Mark cannot even be sold here )
The transformer adapter looks at the luggage X-ray check like a dense
heavy iron piece, clearly said like a bomb, and you are shure if you carry
it
your luggage will be opened many time even when you dont notice it.
The better battery chargers use a transformerless converter ( switching
power suppy ) witch has a input range of 90 to 250 VAC. They are also
more light then the 110VAC only transformer type one.
( analogue to notebook power supplies )
The same applies to the cell phone chargers
"B Vaughan" <m...@privacy.net> a écrit dans le message de news:
mqka025l7q5d2bneu...@4ax.com...
Frank Hucklenbroich
> Also, many
> hotels have a 110 volt outlet in the bathroom specifically for hair dryers
> (do not plug electronics into it).
Nope, the 110 V things are for electric shavers. With a hair-dryer you'll
blow the fuse.
Regards,
Frank
Frank Hucklenbroich
> Can anyone with practical experience clear this up for me. If she
> leaves the hair dryer behind, I guess that would help....but I am
> thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide hair
> dryers as is common in the States.
Most hotels have hair dryers. And if not - you can buy one in Europe in a
shop for around 10 - 15 US-Dollars. No need to take one at all!
Regards,
Frank
Cochon Capitaliste
you tool about the sky at night astride your broom stick? The wind
would do the trick : - ))
PTRAVEL
"Calif Bill" <bmcke...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:T3bNf.5758$5M6....@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> There is no travel transformer to convert from 240 to 110 for a hairdryer.
> the transformer would have be huge to handle 1500 watts continuous.
Who said anything about continuous use?
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/elect.htm
Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and you'll see one that handles
1600 watts, and is designed for hair dryers.
These things are available everywhere.
>
>
Carole Allen
<bmcke...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>Why would you think it is rip off prices? A dual voltage hairdryer is about
>$10 US. And the problem in most of Europe is describing what you want to
>someone who does not speak much English. Most of the vocabulary books do
>not refer to battery chargers or hairdryers from what I have seen. And the
>OP can get the size they want. You can buy a dual voltage battery charger
>with a couple extra AA of about $10 also. Why spend your vacation time
>shopping for stuff you could bring from home?
>
Why carry more than you need to? Every place I have stayed in Europe
has had a hair dryer, even the convent I stayed at in Venice - and I
generally stay at modest 2 stars.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
> Why would you think it is rip off prices? A dual voltage hairdryer is about
> $10 US. And the problem in most of Europe is describing what you want to
> someone who does not speak much English.
Really? When I forgot the adapter plug for my gadget that
boils water in a cup, I had no problem making my need known
at a Paris hardware store, despite my far from fluent
French. (It helped to have the gadget with me, so I could
demonstrate the difference in the plug, but that seemed just
common sense - I assumed any hardware clerk would know what
I needed, if he could see what I wanted it for.)
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
B Vaughan wrote:
>
>
> In my experience, every travel hair dryer I've ever seen was dual
> voltage.
Nowadays, DEFINITELY! The first one I owned had a switch
one had to turned to select the current being used, but they
all seem to adjust automatically, now.
Martin Rich
>but I am
>thinking most European budget/moderate hotels will not provide hair
>dryers as is common in the States.
I'm not sure how 'budget' you intend to go, but in recent years
hairdryers in the bathrooms have been the norm in most hotels I've
used in continental Europe
Taking a US$200+ transformer is ridiculous if only because you could
buy a hairdryer in Switzerland for much less than that
Martin
Calif Bill
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <evg...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:du64e...@news2.newsguy.com...
Because you had the gadget with you. Wife needed a new curling iron. Try
to explain that. Took a lot of looking to find one, and was not exactly
what she wanted, but bought it anyway. As to taking extra stuff, is not
extra, you are going to need it. Might as well leave the underware home and
shop of it when you get to Europe. Makes the same amount of sense.
Calif Bill
Is the voltage, not the current that is different.
Calif Bill
1600 watts is damn near continous when a women is drying her hair.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
>
> Because you had the gadget with you.
Even so..... How difficult would it be to pantomime, using
any convenient electrical cord? (Particularly given my
strong American accent, which would be a clue to any
Francophone hardware person with half a brain.)
> Wife needed a new curling iron. Try
> to explain that. Took a lot of looking to find one, and was not exactly
> what she wanted, but bought it anyway.
I can't imagine anyone actually "needing" a curling iron! A
practical haircut before she left home - a becoming one that
made the most of straight hair - would seem a smarter
solution. Simple drying should not be a problem - many
people here have pointed out that most European hotels
provide hair-dryers in the bathrooms.
> As to taking extra stuff, is not
> extra, you are going to need it.
Define "need". It's surprising how little of the "extra"
stuff you REALLY need, if it breaks down or you forget to
pack it!
> Might as well leave the underware home and
> shop of it when you get to Europe. Makes the same amount of sense.
If you mean "underwear" (as in clothing), it probably makes
BETTER sense. My first trip to Europe, after walking holes
in the toes of all the knee-high nylons I'd brought with me,
I bought half a dozen pair at a "supermarket" (cum general
store) in Brussels. I still have five perfectly good pair
left (five years later) which I certainly cannot claim for
any manufactured in the U.S.A.!
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
So? Let's not get hung up on semantics. Whatever you call
it, they can be used both in the US and abroad (with only a
plug-in adapter to fit the wall plugs in the country you're
visiting).
ptr...@travelersvideo.com
As I said, these things are marketed as being suitable for use with
hair dryers, and they're available everywhere.
Des Small
> Calif Bill wrote:
>
> > Wife needed a new curling iron. Try to explain that. Took a lot
> > of looking to find one, and was not exactly what she wanted, but
> > bought it anyway.
>
> I can't imagine anyone actually "needing" a curling iron! A practical
> haircut before she left home - a becoming one that made the most of
> straight hair - would seem a smarter solution.
Did you ever moonlight as a computer helpdesk operative?
(Luser: I'm having trouble doing X?
Tech: You shouldn't want to do X.)
I haven't the slightest idea what a curling iron is, but assuming
they're not illegal or otherwise unobtainable in Abroad, I would not
wish for a moment to tacitly condone the universe's willingness to
thwart Calif Bill's wife's desire to acquire one.
Des
Marcus Fox
"Des Small" <vonb...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:yyrjzmk7...@pc156.maths.bris.ac.uk...
When I was in Paris, it was easy to find French shop assistants that spoke
English. I assume this will be the case in many European countries. Doubt it
would be as easy to find shop assistants in the USA that spoke French
though.
Marcus
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Marcus Fox wrote:
Too true! However, in Southern California it's easy enough
to find not only Spanish-speakers but many who speak Korean,
Armenian or Persian. (In fact, in Glendale it seems
increasingly difficult to find any who speak English -
although the U.S. is supposedly an English-speaking country!)
Calif Bill
Why wear nylons? As to practical haircut, just cut all yours off. And I
did not see that many hairdryers in the rooms in Europe.
Calif Bill
Because Glendale is an Armenian outpost.
Calif Bill
I see you are not married. ;) As to your answer. ROTFLMAO!
Frank F. Matthews
Calif Bill wrote:
To be clear it is the electric current that is different. It is the
difference in voltage that is important rather than amperage. Although
a device designed for a lower voltage could result in an unacceptable
amperage.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
>
> Why wear nylons?
Because it's cold in Europe in winter, and I'm too old for
"bobby sox"?
> As to practical haircut, just cut all yours off.
;-) Actually, when I had long hair, it was even easier - I
could "towel-dry" it, put it up in a french twist or braid
it, and finish drying it later. (And CERTAINLY didn't need
a curling iron!)
> And I
> did not see that many hairdryers in the rooms in Europe.
I said "bathrooms", not "rooms" - perhaps I assumed a higher
standard of living than you are accustomed to? (When I
travel, I book rooms with baths.)
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
> "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <evg...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:duaon...@news2.newsguy.com...
>>Too true! However, in Southern California it's easy enough to find not
>>only Spanish-speakers but many who speak Korean, Armenian or Persian. (In
>>fact, in Glendale it seems increasingly difficult to find any who speak
>>English - although the U.S. is supposedly an English-speaking country!)
>>
>
>
> Because Glendale is an Armenian outpost.
Granted - that explains ONE of the several languages widely
spoken instead of English, here in So Cal. (You call
yourself "Calif Bill" - are you really so clueless about all
the languages one encounters here?)
Carole Allen
> And I
>> did not see that many hairdryers in the rooms in Europe.
>
Carole Allen
<bmcke...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>>> Wife needed a new curling iron. Try to explain that. Took a lot of
>>> looking to find one, and was not exactly
>>> what she wanted, but bought it anyway.
>>
lobby with her curling iron from home...I dont know what she did to it
or how she did it, but she had melted or overheated it to the point
that it had bent into the shape of a candy cane.
I don't bother with taking that or a hair dryer anymore..I have
traveled with medium length hair with a loose perm that only took a
quick comb after washing..and long hair that I could pull back at the
nape, or wear with a headband, and short straight hair (the 60s
"Sassoon cut") that only needs to be fluffed when dried. My hair is
very thick and not naturally curly, but even medium length hair washed
with a tiny bit of gel or dab of hair wax can be "scrunched" and
air-dried and look acceptable.
When I am in Europe I want to be OUT in Europe, not fussing with my
hair, and my cut is perfectly stylish.
Now, if Calif Bill's wife is still doing the ratted, hair-sprayed "big
hair" helmet so popular on women like Nancy Reagan (you know, it
looks like cotton candy) she will need a lot more than a curling iron.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Carole Allen wrote:
> I don't bother with taking that or a hair dryer anymore..I have
> traveled with medium length hair with a loose perm that only took a
> quick comb after washing..and long hair that I could pull back at the
> nape, or wear with a headband, and short straight hair (the 60s
> "Sassoon cut") that only needs to be fluffed when dried. My hair is
> very thick and not naturally curly, but even medium length hair washed
> with a tiny bit of gel or dab of hair wax can be "scrunched" and
> air-dried and look acceptable.
>
> When I am in Europe I want to be OUT in Europe, not fussing with my
> hair, and my cut is perfectly stylish.
Exactly! Although I keep my hair fairly short, so it seldom
needs more than a combing, and a hairdryer only in cold
weather if I want to go out immediately after washing it,
your solutions work, too. (In fact, upon reflection, long
hair might be easiest of all, and also the most versatile,
if you're good at pinning it up for more formal occasions.)
Calif Bill
No, we have the ballot in 28 languages. Mexican Spanish is the most common
extra language. Then the further south versions of Spanish. As to knowing
the language, I was born in Calif and worked with braceros in my teen years.
And best friend growing up was Chinese ancestry and is Grandma lived in SF
Chinatown. Hell, I even shop at Sunland Produce when in SoCal, where my
daughters graduated university and stayed there. Korean is one of the newer
languages spoken, as well as Vietnamese. Places in the San Jose area where
you see no English signs. I saw more English signs in Hong Kong than I see
in some San Jose shopping areas. Maybe you should get out and about more in
California, as opposed to being a Euro Snob.
Calif Bill
"Frank F. Matthews" <frankfm...@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:1xkOf.10452$n%2....@tornado.texas.rr.com...
To be clear it is the Voltage that is different. The current draw will be
different as the Voltage is different. Look at voltage as water pressure.
Higher the pressure the more water comes out of the same size line.
Calif Bill
"Carole Allen" <caro...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:440a13d2...@news.individual.net...
Maybe, but they were nice 2 and 3 star places.
Calif Bill
She as thick, medium hair, and probably looks a lot better than you do.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
But at what cost? Some men prefer a companion to a living
fashion-plate, when traveling. (And unless you have met
Carole, how could you possibly know?)
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
I might, if we had much of a culture worth pursuing! (True,
San Francisco has a world-class opera, and L. A. is getting
there, but the length of their seasons leaves a lot to be
desired, and IMO Europe has a lot more to offer, culturally
speaking, than the U.S. - especially under our current
dicta.... um.... "president".)
Calif Bill
Well, to you culture is opera. Originally equivalent to the Simpson's to
entertain the masses. Lots of interesting things to do and see here also.
I guess you are a one tract mind. And as to your idea of the current POTUS
as a dictator, you are very naive.
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)
Calif Bill wrote:
>
> Well, to you culture is opera. Originally equivalent to the Simpson's to
> entertain the masses. Lots of interesting things to do and see here also.
> I guess you are a one tract mind. And as to your idea of the current POTUS
> as a dictator, you are very naive.
Ummm.... I think you mean "one track mind". (At least I'm
literate - and to call me "naive" for regarding GWB as a
would-be Hitler confirms your own perceptual naiveté.)
>
>
Gregory Morrow
Calif Bill wrote:
{{{{{{{{{feel the LURV}}}}}}}}
--
Best
Greg lol...