Question for US travelers to the UK.

Tom S. · 01-02-2012, 03:20 PM

Will my US version of the K5 battery charger work in the UK if I use a plug converter, or will I need a step down transformer too? The wife and I are going for three weeks in May/June.

jolepp · 01-02-2012, 03:32 PM

Mine has "100-240V 50-60Hz" on the flip side, if yours does too (as I would imagine) UK's 240V 50Hz is covered and so plug adapter should work fine. [edit: continental Europe uses 230V 50 Hz, US 120V 60 Hz]

Stringmike · 01-02-2012, 06:56 PM

Nearly all battery chargers and computer power supplies these days are "universal voltage" and will operate from Japan's 100 v to the USA's 120 V as well as Europe's 220/240V. Just pick up one of those plug converters at the airport and you'll be good to go (if you can find a plug in the U.K., that is!)

I've traveled all over (USA, UK, Europe, South Africa) with my Pentax K10D and K20D and the charger worked just fine everywhere.

Mike

glanglois · 01-02-2012, 08:47 PM

I've taken a variety of Pentax bodies and HP laptops to the UK without problems, using only a plug adapter. As always, check the charger info for your particular gear. And don't forget to let us know where to find your output!

Tom S. · 01-03-2012, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by jolepp

Mine has "100-240V 50-60Hz" on the flip side, if yours does too (as I would imagine) UK's 240V 50Hz is covered and so plug adapter should work fine. [edit: continental Europe uses 230V 50 Hz, US 120V 60 Hz]

Thanks! I looked at the charger and you're right it does say 100v - 240v.

Thanks to Mike & GJL too!

Jasvox · 01-03-2012, 06:10 AM

You'll only need a plug adapter to fit your Yank plug into a Pommie socket.

Jason

Col · 01-03-2012, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Tom S.

Will my US version of the K5 battery charger work in the UK if I use a plug converter, or will I need a step down transformer too? The wife and I are going for three weeks in May/June.

Avoiding the Olympics eh? Other option is many of the compatible batteries come with a charger which can be used both in car as well as plugged into the wall.

eg
Amazon.com: Wasabi Power Battery Charger for Pentax K-5 DSLR: Camera & Photo

**interested_observer** · 01-03-2012, 09:26 PM

Here is a plug converter...

Amazon.com: Power Bright PB-12 US to UK 3-Prong Travel Outlet Plug Adapter: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Tom S. · 01-11-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Here is a plug converter...

Amazon.com: Power Bright PB-12 US to UK 3-Prong Travel Outlet Plug Adapter: Patio, Lawn & Garden

The converter isn't an issue - I have four or five of them. I just wondered about the voltage difference. Turns out I can also use the USB charger I have to charge various batteries like my Nook. Woo hoo!

01-02-2012, 03:20 PM	#1
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Question for US travelers to the UK. Will my US version of the K5 battery charger work in the UK if I use a plug converter, or will I need a step down transformer too? The wife and I are going for three weeks in May/June.

01-02-2012, 03:32 PM	#2
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Mine has "100-240V 50-60Hz" on the flip side, if yours does too (as I would imagine) UK's 240V 50Hz is covered and so plug adapter should work fine. [edit: continental Europe uses 230V 50 Hz, US 120V 60 Hz] Last edited by jolepp; 01-03-2012 at 01:12 AM. Reason: typo

01-02-2012, 06:56 PM	#3
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	You'll be fine - if you can find a plug! Nearly all battery chargers and computer power supplies these days are "universal voltage" and will operate from Japan's 100 v to the USA's 120 V as well as Europe's 220/240V. Just pick up one of those plug converters at the airport and you'll be good to go (if you can find a plug in the U.K., that is!) I've traveled all over (USA, UK, Europe, South Africa) with my Pentax K10D and K20D and the charger worked just fine everywhere. Mike

01-03-2012, 09:26 PM	#8
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Here is a plug converter... Amazon.com: Power Bright PB-12 US to UK 3-Prong Travel Outlet Plug Adapter: Patio, Lawn & Garden

01-11-2012, 01:21 PM	#9
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317 Original Poster	Originally posted by interested_observer Here is a plug converter... Amazon.com: Power Bright PB-12 US to UK 3-Prong Travel Outlet Plug Adapter: Patio, Lawn & Garden The converter isn't an issue - I have four or five of them. I just wondered about the voltage difference. Turns out I can also use the USB charger I have to charge various batteries like my Nook. Woo hoo!

01-02-2012, 08:47 PM	#4
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	I've taken a variety of Pentax bodies and HP laptops to the UK without problems, using only a plug adapter. As always, check the charger info for your particular gear. And don't forget to let us know where to find your output!

01-03-2012, 05:14 AM	#5
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317 Original Poster	Originally posted by jolepp Mine has "100-240V 50-60Hz" on the flip side, if yours does too (as I would imagine) UK's 240V 50Hz is covered and so plug adapter should work fine. [edit: continental Europe uses 230V 50 Hz, US 120V 60 Hz] Thanks! I looked at the charger and you're right it does say 100v - 240v. Thanks to Mike & GJL too!

01-03-2012, 06:10 AM	#6
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	You'll only need a plug adapter to fit your Yank plug into a Pommie socket. Jason

01-03-2012, 02:00 PM	#7
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by Tom S. Will my US version of the K5 battery charger work in the UK if I use a plug converter, or will I need a step down transformer too? The wife and I are going for three weeks in May/June. Avoiding the Olympics eh? Other option is many of the compatible batteries come with a charger which can be used both in car as well as plugged into the wall. eg Amazon.com: Wasabi Power Battery Charger for Pentax K-5 DSLR: Camera & Photo

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