My son is going to Spain this summer for some classes and needs a way to charge his phone and laptop. Can anyone recommend and provide a link to one that's reliable and handle the task?

 

Check the AC adapter for the phone and computer. They're very international these days.

It very likely says on it "AC Input: 110 - 240V, 50-60 Hz." If it does, all you need is an adapter to plug a U.S.-style plug into a European-style outlet. You don't need a power inverter or converter or anything else. The phone/computer AC adapter can already work with European voltages.

If the adapters do say as above, all you need is something like this:





Here's a six-pack of them for $7.00 at Amazon.




If you live near an airport, the travel stores in there will likely have them, and Radio Shack might as well if there are still any in your area.

 

If, in fact, your son's AC adapters don't accept dual voltages, it would probably be cheaper to just buy dual-voltage adapters for his phone and/or computer, and then he wouldn't have to lug around the power converter wherever he goes.

 

... Or just buy a charger over there once he gets there. Most cell phone, etc. chargers are darned near as cheap as adapters these days.

But, yeah, Jaunty nailed it already. If the tiny print says it will work on 240V / 50hz, he's all set, and if not, Hey - they make appliances over there, too.

- Eric

 

Yeah Eric, but I don't want him to release the smoke out of his working ones. Thanks guys.

 

But my point is that when you travel, it's best to avoid packing things you don't need, like chargers that don't work on the local current (or that need adapters) - the average $5 charger that you buy at the hardware store or the 7-11 will last a couple of months - just long enough to get through a summer - so he may as well just buy some cheapo ones over there and save the packing space for more important things.

- Eric

 

Point well taken.

 

My cell phone and laptop chargers came with dual voltage chargers. When I went to China all i needed was an adaptor, think I bought it at Wally world. Worked like a charm.
Steve

 

What is the output on the adaptor he uses right now?. All he will need is one with the same output.
I believe the plugs on the chargers are shaped so only the correct voltage one will fit anyway.

Roger.

 

...Does that mean stuff charges twice as fast over here? :3

 

Watts you say...

I think I've got a handle on it now. Thanks for all your responses I was confused on how modern chargers work.