Hi,
I'm looking for a converter so i can plug in my laptop and digital camera. Where can I buy one?

There's lots of places that sell the typical 220 --> 110, but with 127 its a bit odd.

Any ideas?

thanks,

DArryl

Darryl, I was hoping that Dan would answer this question (and he may still). I'm an EE and my guess is that the chargers you have should be fine because they are converting to DC, a transformer does not really care about the frequency and the output is regulated so it wouldn't care about the line voltage. I realize that's not a satisfactory answer, what you could do is get a small volt meter and measure the output before you connect your camera or laptop. Radio Shack makes a tiny digital meter that only costs around $10 and wouldn't take any room, at least then you would know for sure. If you measure the output then you can be assured that it will not damage your equipment.

I don't use a converter for my battery charger, but I have seen warnings that 50 cycles will cause overheating of the unit. I normally charge for no more than 2 hours and then let the charger cool off for an hour, then repeat until I have a full charge on the batteries.

Most laptop power supplies and battery chargers have a "universal input". That is, they accept input voltages from 100 to 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz. It should be printed on the label for the device. The regulatory agencies usually make them test +/-10% of these values so that gives you an additional margin. On my last trip I used a piece of equipment that was rated 120 VAC. I gambled that the extra 7 volts in Bonaire would be within the safety margin. I got away with it but I would not recommend it especially since 127 VAC is nominal and it may rise above this value. I wished I had brought a cheap volt meter as mentioned above. Anyway, check the input voltage on the label for your equipment, it’s probably fine. One more thing, in general power in places like Bonaire is not well behaved. There are often line transients, surges, and dropouts. I have not had a problem but I leave devices connected to the AC line only while necessary.

Ernie's got it right. For anything which is rated only for 110V/60Hz, you'll want to use a transformer to drop the voltage to around 105V/50Hz (transformers to switch frequency are not common - usually involves converting AC to DC and then using an inverter to convert DC back to AC at the different frequency and voltage). In our house we have transformers everywhere...

Jake

Just to add to Jake's comment. We bring a transformer as well. I bougth it online from Magellan's.

Hi,
So where can I buy a transformer? I can't seem to find one that will step down from 127 to 120V?

Also, what type of plugs are used in Bonaire?

Thanks,

DArryl

Generally, we have standard US plugs.

In the past, Bonaire power has been notorious for voltage spikes, especially when the plant went down which was frequently. Jake may want to comment on using a small spike protector for sensitive/expensive devices.

Or lack of power.
We lost power about 6am and it took until 7:45am to come back on. Thank heavens for gas stoves and instant oatmeal.

A surge protector is always a good idea. Never plug any appliance directly into wall outlet. We've had both spikes and brownouts so who knows what is coming through at any time.

And thank heavens for all the UPSes we have in our house - only house in the neighborhood which has a working TV during a power outage :-)

Darryl, surge suppressor is a really good idea too. As far as a 127V to lower converter goes, see if you can find an adjustable voltage regulator where you are (electronics parts store might have one). You can also buy transformers here - go to Benzer's Electronics near the Tourism Office on Kaya Grandi.

But, before wasting money, check the power bricks for your chargers. All my notebook computers since about 1994 have had variable range supplies (see above), and I'm on my fourth brand of notebook (and I've had six different models since 1994 too). My Sony MiniDVCam battery charger also is variable input, so check yours too.

If your battery charger is fixed voltage rated for input (e.g. 110V/60Hz) on the AC/DC transformer part (box which plugs into the wall), and you plug it into a 127V/50Hz socket here, it will probably work just fine, but will get really hot, and may fry (only the transformer part though).

Jake

Hi,
Trying to get the last details in place we will be on Bonaire this FRIDAY!!!! We have 2 battery recharges for our dive torches that are 240V/60Hz, is it possible to plug them in somewhere on the island? Charging time is about 12 hrs/overnight.

Hi,
I'm most likely not going to bring my laptop to Bonaire - its my work machine, and I'm too worried about losing it. FWIW, you are correct - it can handle the voltage.

My battery charger on the other hand, doesn't have anything built in for handling multiple voltages. Its a very good and rather expensive battery charger, so I'd rather get a transformer than risk frying it.

Thanks,

DArryl