[pace.martha]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows of a way I can charge my K20D battery while I'm in Spain. I've been using my point-and-shoot to take pictures of everything here because I have no way of charging my K20D battery when it dies! I have the charger that I use while in the U.S., but I'm nervous to use a converter because I don't want to fry the charger. Is there a charger or a charger cord accessory that can be used in European countries? Thank you for any advice!

[Lowell Goudge]

I don't think there is an issue,

I have checked all my camera chargers and they are rated for 100-240V 50/60 hz

it should be printed on the charger.

If it is, just get the adaptor

[Jasvox]

The same adapter you use currently for your K20D will work in any power outlet in the world as it has a built in power transformer, as Lowell mentioned. All you need is the plug adapter (or just ask the front desk of your hotel for one as it is a very common request for international travelers).

Another option, if you are staying in a hotel is to plug in your adapter in the Shaver power outlet in the bathroom as most hotels have them and accept USA style plugs.

Jason

[pace.martha]

Thank you! Can I purchase an adaptor for the charger on Amazon or B&H?

[Lloydy]

An ordinary travel adapter from an airport shop will work, most supermarkets will probably sell them as well.

[Jasvox]

No need to order one from a specialty shop, most airports have little shops which sell magazines, newspapers, etc have a little travel section and adapters are very common. All you need is a USA to EU plug adapter and shouldn't pay anything more than $8-10 for one, if not less. Also Radio Shack, Target, etc usually sell them.

Plug adapter, nothing to do with power conversion. Cheap.

Jason

[cnielsen]

I went to Spain this past summer with my k-7, armed with a plug adapter. But... what I ended up using was the power cord to the radio that was in our apartment where we stayed. My battery charger (and I don't know if yours is the same, so...) has a cord that detaches from the charging unit. The radio (identical to one we have at home in the States, btw) had a power cord that detaches from the radio. Both my charger and the radio connect to their power cords with the same "jack". So, I was able to connect the Spanish radio cord to my charger, and plug into an outlet without an adapter.

Not a solution you could count on being able to use wherever you go, but an interesting thing to keep in mind... these chargers must be the same everywhere, just ship with different cords depending on their destination...

Enjoy your trip!

[Lowell Goudge]

I don't understand all the discussion around work arounds, any electronics store any where in the world and every airport carry a full range of adaptor plugs

[felixkh]

Thank you! Can I purchase an adaptor for the charger on Amazon or B&H?

Any sop at the airports of the countries ill sell the adapter. The charger is rated 110/220V so you can us it any where in the world.

[layingback]

You won't fry anything using a lightweight electronic 100-240v 50/60Hz adapter on any country's voltage.

Whenever it is plugged in, USA or aboard it'll first "try" at max voltage, ie. 240, and note that isn't enough and adjust itself down to 110/120. So no issue in Europe.

There is huge variation in voltages: USA can be up to 120v or down to 100v, UK is 240v and rest of Europe is mostly 220v, but all EU is officially 230v even though no country uses 230v AFAIK.

So when the electronics in the adapter is being designed to handle all that, it can be designed to handle 100 - 240 too.

Most light weight, ie all electronic, adapters can handle dual voltage systems even if not marked as such, but obviously there is a risk and YMMV. But if the adapter feels heavy for its size, then it probably has a transformer inside and then you need to read the input voltages - in tiny, tiny print - very carefully.

[kh1234567890]

UK is 240v and rest of Europe is mostly 220v, but all EU is officially 230v even though no country uses 230v AFAIK.

The 230V is an EU fudge - it is actually 230V +10% - 6% (216.2V to 253V) which conveniently covers both 240V and 220V