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    Help buying a European power converter for my laptop

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Shpati, May 23, 2015.

  1. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    I'm going to Europe for about a month.

    Should I get a whole new European power brick for my laptop? Or can I just get a US to European power converter?

    Something like this maybe?:

    http://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Univ...d=1432354704&sr=8-1&keywords=european+adapter

    Will this be enough for a laptop?

    I have an N61JQ. The Power Brick says Input: 100-240V, Output: 19V.

    Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

    I'm going to go to West Macedonia to be more specific.
     
    Shpati, May 23, 2015
    #1
  2. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Hello @Shpati, you'll only need an adapter such as the one on Amazon.
    No need to buy a converter or change your charger since it'll work anywhere in the world with the right adapter in some places.

    Have a safe trip.
     
    katalin_2003, May 23, 2015
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  3. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    If you know some people at the destination ask if they have a spare power cord to spare for your visit. That cable from the wall plug to the power brick.
     
    KLF, May 23, 2015
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  4. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    Didn't think about that. lol. I was actually thinking about a whole new power brick.

    What would you call that cord? I doubt the people I know there have one. So I might just pay a couple of bucks for one here and use it there.
     
    Shpati, May 23, 2015
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  5. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Power cord, electric cord. Something like that. Depends on person, language and location what it's called.

    What kind of plug your power brick has? Two-pin 8, three pin mickey-mouse or a big one similar to desktops? First one can be found on everything from boomboxes to electric shavers and latter one from flatscreen tv's to home stereos. People might have lot of those around, they just don't realize they where they can be used.
     
    KLF, May 23, 2015
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  6. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Just get a converter like this.. All that you need...
     
    TomJGX, May 23, 2015
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  7. pete962

    pete962 Notebook Evangelist

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    yep, all you need is AC plug adapter. As a matter of fact most electronic chargers this days are world wide and all they need is that adapter, you may need one for your phone, camera, tablet etc. just make sure it says 100-240v on the charger itself.
     
    pete962, May 23, 2015
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  8. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    Shpati, spare power cord is much more conveniet when you plug/unplug PSU a lot. Otherwise, an adapter will do well.
     
    Starlight5, May 24, 2015
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  9. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    Looks like I have the three pin mickey-mouse.

    Does anybody have a clue what to type in so I can buy one from Amazon or eBay?
     
    Shpati, May 25, 2015
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  10. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    "european power adapter" (without quotes) brings up a lot of results of what you'll want. Three-pin may be a bit tricky, so a thin one so the third pin can be plugged into air may be more convenient, and those are a dime a dozen (figuratively).

    I'd recommend an adapter rather than a converter (which converts 240V to 120V) so long as your chargers are compatible with 240V. Converters tend to result in more stories of fried electronics; if they can't supply adequate power or are poorly constructed, there's more to go wrong than with a simple adapter.
     
    Apollo13, May 25, 2015
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  11. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    [​IMG]

    4 euros at random (but finnish) reseller. Three pin power brick end looks kinda common to me though. At least those are used in pretty much all the laptops here at the office.
     
    KLF, May 26, 2015
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  12. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Whatever the power brick takes, usually, there's a cable to be found for it. Either it's mickey mouse style like above, two pins at the brick end or the standard plug like desktop PSUs have. In any case, get the spare cord, it is much more elegant as a solution and every adapter I see foreign students using is either hanging loose from the outlet or the cable is hanging loose from the adapter.
     
    tijo, May 29, 2015
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  13. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    I can't find anything that looks like that on Amazon atm.

    I might just buy one over there once I get there. But this place is a little notorious for selling faulty electronics, so I'm just a little weary.
     
    Shpati, Jun 2, 2015
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  14. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    KLF, Jun 3, 2015
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  15. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks man!

    I found it on the US page as well here just in case anybody else is wondering where to buy one:

    http://amzn.com/B00BR8E2FI
     
    Shpati, Jun 6, 2015
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  16. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    Turns out this Europeon cord I got is 250 Volts.

    My original US cord is 125 Vs, and on the power brick it says 100-240V.

    Will this 250 Volt cord work? Or do I have to get one that is rated 240V or even 125V?
     
    Shpati, Jun 24, 2015
    #16
  17. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Do American mains lead plugs that go into wall sockets have fuse`s in them, in the UK, they can have 3A, 5A or 13A and we use 240volts

    Shpati the power cable will be fine.

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Jun 24, 2015
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  18. Shpati

    Shpati Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure about the fuses, but the US cord says 10A.

    This Euro cord I got says 10A-16A.
     
    Shpati, Jun 24, 2015
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  19. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    It's just copper wire (I believe) inside rubber tube. As long as it fits, it works just like any other power cord. It's the power brick that matters and it's just fine too. It might be a little bit sturdier than US version due higher voltages. It does not have a fuse inside, it is as simple as it gets.

    I do understand why UK plug might have a fuse built in. There's a related joke from the car electrics: Why do brits drink their beer warm? because Lucas also makes fridges.
     
    KLF, Jun 24, 2015
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  20. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Who is Lucas?, and we stopped drinking beer warm when the refrigerator was invented :)

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Jun 24, 2015
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  21. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    KLF, Jun 24, 2015
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