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    China trip/electrical converter setting Vaio Z690?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Karado58, Mar 10, 2009.

  1. Karado58

    Karado58 Notebook Guru

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    My question:
    I will be going to mainland China in 2 weeks. I bought a electrical converter. I am confused as to use the "High" or "Low" setting on the converter for my Z690??!!

    Nothing on the Sony charger on wattage! I see a 19.5V Output and Input of 100-240V /1.5A and 50-60Hz

    The converter/transformer has a high switch for appliances between 50 and 1650 watts and a low switch for equipment under 50 watts.

    So if the Z690 charger is over 50W, I set the switch to High? I am just concerned that I will damage the laptop since the High goes up to 1650 watts?!!

    Thank you!!
    Joseph
     
    Karado58, Mar 10, 2009
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  2. reaborg

    reaborg Notebook Consultant

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    Why do you need a converter? If you have access to their 50/60 Hz grid, a simple plug adapter is all you need.

    But without knowing what that converter is doing, that rating of 50 to 1650 watt is just for fuse/safety related purpose. If you set it below 50W, any load that draws higher than the 50W current will trip it. If you set it between 50 to 1650 W, then it will not trip until you are drawing over 1.6kW of power.

    Most laptop power adapter range from 50 to 90W in rating. That does not mean it will draw 90W at all times, or that it even draws that for brief period of time. Just means that if the load (your battery charger circuit in your laptop) allows it, then it can draw up to 90W. But seeing how the Z charges so slowly, I highly doubt the laptop is drawing even 50W.

    If you have to use that converter, try it at 50W. My guess is it should work fine. If it trips, switch to the higher one.

    But I still don't understand why you are using it.
     
    reaborg, Mar 10, 2009
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  3. Karado58

    Karado58 Notebook Guru

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    Was told that China is a 220V country.

    You are right...the Z charger is a 100-240V, so it is dual voltage! I will only need a plug adapter!!
     
    Karado58, Mar 10, 2009
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  4. nystateofmind27

    nystateofmind27 Notebook Consultant

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    He's right, no converter needed. Look at your sony charger, it says on it that it accepts 100-240V, and 50-60hz. Just use the little plug changer which may have come with the converter.

    Basically you can say that the charger already has a converter built-in. Travel converters are only for devices that do not accept the power in the country you're visiting, and need conversion to their native power required. This isn't your case.
     
    nystateofmind27, Mar 10, 2009
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