Travel Adapters

[duffshot]

Whoops - just saw the piccy in the earlier post and they have definitely changed from what I purchased prior.

 

[serfty]

Travelling home from NZ a few weeks and was browsing throught the new Qantas In Flight Duty Free Catalogue. I saw this for $35:

I thought what the heck, and surprised the FAs by actually buying something...

Universal Travel Adapter

It's a one piece and actually about the same size as other single adaptors I have. I'll be giving it a test run later this week...

 

[one9]

Travelling home from NZ a few weeks and was browsing throught the new Qantas In Flight Duty Free Catalogue. I saw this for $35:

I thought what the heck, and surprised the FAs by actually buying something...

Universal Travel Adapter

It's a one piece and actually about the same size as other single adaptors I have. I'll be giving it a test run later this week...

Qantas, BA and CX all have a very similar travel adapter (as in the above picture). I have found the one bought on board from CX to be very good.

 

[Mal]

Qantas, BA and CX all have a very similar travel adapter (as in the above picture). I have found the one bought on board from CX to be very good.

Yep, everyone seems to have some rebadged version of that adapter - a good adapter by the way!

I am curious who first marketed it though.

 

[serfty]

Yep, everyone seems to have some rebadged version of that adapter - a good adapter by the way!

I am curious who first marketed it though.

Maybe Kensington, that brand has the reputation in the LOTFAP.

(Taking relative pin dimensions (constant) ito account it does look somewhat larger than the one I mentioned yesterday.)

 

[millesm]

I've been using the TravelPac version of the SwissAir adaptor pictured above for 4 years now and never had a problelm. My boss has been using his SwissAir one for many more years than me and his is still going strong. It is also a much better quality one and slightly heavier as you'd expect for the better quality plastic used back then.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SQ has the same one (at least appears to be) for S$46.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I had to get a knife and carve out the earth socket for my Aussie laptop plug, but it was already marked out and there was no connection behind it.

So you just cut a slot for the Earthing pin to go into? did it have any detrimental effects on the power pack you're using? I mean an earthing Pin is there for a reason, and if its not there on the adapter.....

 

[jasonja3]

So you just cut a slot for the Earthing pin to go into? did it have any detrimental effects on the power pack you're using? I mean an earthing Pin is there for a reason, and if its not there on the adapter.....

Electrical 101...

It won't affect the operation of the plug pack. Earthing exists as a safety measure, sending any faults to ground. Electrical appliances with no earth on the plug are double insulated, negating the need for the earth. So be careful and warned, if your appliance needs an earth, and you don't provide it, if there is an electrical fault in the appliance, conductive parts of the appliance could become live without your knowledge......

FWIW, many chargers and the like have a standard IEC plug or applicance plug (same as computer towers and monitors) which can accommodate three pins. To prevent having two pin (without earth) assembly removed from that device with only two pins, and used on another that does require an earth, they use the three pin assemblies on them all, even where an earth is not required.

.......Please consult professional advice before making any modifications to your electrical device.....:mrgreen:

 

[Skyring]

So you just cut a slot for the Earthing pin to go into? did it have any detrimental effects on the power pack you're using? I mean an earthing Pin is there for a reason, and if its not there on the adapter.....

I also carry around a small Aussie powerboard so if I'm recharging my phone and my laptop I don't need two travel adaptors. The plug on the powerboard has three pins, so I needed to carve a hole in the adaptor for the spare prong to go into, even though it connects to nothing.

My appliances (laptop and a couple of rechargers) don't need earthing, it's just the powerboard that has the third prong.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I also carry around a small Aussie powerboard so if I'm recharging my phone and my laptop I don't need two travel adaptors. The plug on the powerboard has three pins, so I needed to carve a hole in the adaptor for the spare prong to go into, even though it connects to nothing.

My appliances (laptop and a couple of rechargers) don't need earthing, it's just the powerboard that has the third prong.

Ahh but you still did cut a hole into the adapter plate.Mines got written "WANING!" just about where the extra hole is needed, and if you hold it up against a light bulb, it's fairly see-through meaning there's nothing behind the plate so I imagine it must be fairly easy to cut through.

I'll try it on the weekend

 

[maninblack]

Just remember that most of these universal adapters like the SwissAir have very limited current capability. Usually about 2.5 amps so you can plug in your laptop, phone or low current appliances but don't overload it. A travel iron would be about the limit but not the Birko stainless jug we used to take around when the kids were little.

 

[Skyring]

Just remember that most of these universal adapters like the SwissAir have very limited current capability. Usually about 2.5 amps so you can plug in your laptop, phone or low current appliances but don't overload it. A travel iron would be about the limit but not the Birko stainless jug we used to take around when the kids were little.

That's handy to know. Presumably the dedicated adaptors I used to carry around are rated higher.

But I only have a few things that need an adapter:
Laptop
Phone recharger
GPS
Battery recharger (AA and AAA batteries for camera etc.)

I have a little immersion heater suitable for a mug - I'm bloody sick of trying to make decent tea with those U.S. drip filter things - but haven't tried it with my universal adaptor.

My only complaint with these things is that they can be a little ricketty. Stick it into a wall socket and hang a small transformer off the end, and I sometimes need to prop up the end if the wall socket isn't as tight as it could be.

 

[maninblack]

That's handy to know. Presumably the dedicated adaptors I used to carry around are rated higher.

But I only have a few things that need an adapter:
Laptop
Phone recharger
GPS
Battery recharger (AA and AAA batteries for camera etc.)

I have a little immersion heater suitable for a mug - I'm bloody sick of trying to make decent tea with those U.S. drip filter things - but haven't tried it with my universal adaptor.

My only complaint with these things is that they can be a little ricketty. Stick it into a wall socket and hang a small transformer off the end, and I sometimes need to prop up the end if the wall socket isn't as tight as it could be.

The dedicated models are usually the full 10 amps so no problem. The better universals contain an internal fuse so you will know when you have overloaded it.

 

[Maca44]

I purchased the Kingsinton travel plug adapter (described in prev posts) but the one I purchased had a USB charger with it and I bought it from Frequency Communications @ Rushcuytters Bay for $49.95. I used it on my recent trip the USA/Canada and was able to use the USB charger to charge my ipod during the flight. With the number of options I suspect the adapter covers all countries.

 

[Febs]

I purchased the Kingsinton travel plug adapter (described in prev posts) but the one I purchased had a USB charger with it and I bought it from Frequency Communications @ Rushcuytters Bay for $49.95. I used it on my recent trip the USA/Canada and was able to use the USB charger to charge my ipod during the flight. With the number of options I suspect the adapter covers all countries.

How big is this thing compared to say a dedicated Korjo plug?

I saw them for $45 at Officeworks and was considering buying one.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[serfty]

How big is this thing compared to say a dedicated Korjo plug?

I saw them for $45 at Officeworks and was considering buying one.

Cheers,
- Febs.

If you are referring to the universal mains adaptors (like Kensington) thay are aboue the same size or slighlty larger than a normal Korjo plug. The box for the one I bought onbords is a 5cm Cube.

 

[Mal]

Regarding the Kensington/Swiss Travel products adaptor mentioned numerous times in this thread, I've ordered a second no-name version of the product from a Hong Kong online shop that I've heard fairly good reviews about on other sites:

DealExtreme: $13.28 Travelling Universal Power Adapter with Safety-Circuit

Shipped, it's around $AU16. Payment is made via Paypal, so no concerns over credit card fraud etc.

I will find out in a week or two if it's a fake/ low quality etc version, but pretty much doubt that I'll have any dramas with it. The markings are just about identical (a couple of branding marks are different, but that is probably a result of the brand I bought my other one from) and seeing my other one was made in China, then I presume it's just other stock from the same factory.

It seems to be missing the USB top plate that you tend to get with other versions, but I rarely use it anyways, but will have to confirm once I receive it.

I'll try and update this thread once I receive it and can compare it to my other one.

(PS, DealExtreme really have some very interesting products. I presume they drag lots of stock over from China to Hong Kong to resell (using Hong Kong's cheap postal rates!) but they have some pretty interesting products in their range)

 

[Maca44]

This is the same as I have, but the one on the posted website doesn't have the usb attachment to charge ipod in flight, but if you don't need it, it should be okay.

 

[moa999]

but they have some pretty interesting products in their range)

Also another cheaper one on dx
DealExtreme: $5.30 Travel All-in-one Universal AC Adapter


have had one order from dealextreme - that has shipped so far in 3 parts so far, so their instocks aren't that great.
amazing range of led torches and little light buttons and other gadgets.

u/f i think they are also responsible for delivering some pretty high powered lasers to those that aren't so responsible.


the generic travel adaptor looks identical to the non-USB one I bought on BA 18 months ago, although the Aussie 3-pin plug is already punched. Interestingly on mine the plastic was designed to be thinner to allow you to punch it (I assume it was just to conform with some foreign regulation on sale)