another electricity?convertor of just plug?

[keithandkatya]

My sharp camcorder shows a power requirement of 110-240v, 50/60hz-
Now- I dont know any thing about the subject but it would seem logical to believe that all I need is a plug adaptor and not a convertor for my battery charger(it is a hi 8 camcorder).

any electonic gurus out there???

Keith

[cherokee]

... in response to another electricity?convertor of just pl..., posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

n/t

[AllenB]

... in response to another electricity?convertor of just pl..., posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

You do not need a converter.  Your transformer states 110-240v, 50/60hz which means it does the conversion for you.  All you need is the prong converter.  Everybody says you can get them at Radio Shack but that is the Western European converter which will not work in Russia or Ukraine as it is not deep enough.

If you are flying into Kyiv go to Tsum on Kreshatik where you can get the adapter for about $1.00.  If you are going to Moscow or St. Petersburg I can't help you but just find a department store that carries electronic equipment and you should be fine.

No biggy really.

[keithandkatya]

... in response to another electricity?convertor of just pl..., posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

I looked at a website-lots of different plugs over in europe- what kind is used in Ukraine?? anyone know??
thanks,
Keith

[romachko]

... in response to follow up question-what kind of plug, posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

You need a transformer to use any equipment rated for 110 VAC in Europe, unless the boilerplate explicitly indicates 220VAC capacity. Remember: whenever the voltage doubles, the power consumption quadruple. You could easily burn your equipment. Walmart and many other stores sell an inexpensive traveller's kit, which includes a trasnformer and various types and sizes of adapter plugs. You can take them all with you or ask your agent about the exact size of the plug: the distance bewteen the prongs. With all precautions I still had a problem on my first trip. You plug in the adaptor plug in the wall, the transformer in the adaptor, and the AC-to-DC voltage converter in the adapter. Then you suddenly rediscover the Law of Newton: the whole arrangement comes off the wall by its own weight. I had to buy an extention cord at a Univermark. I hate a European style extention cord. It's so stupid, bulky. But what can you do?

[Albert]

... in response to Re: follow up question-what kind of plug, posted by romachko on May 20, 2004

"Remember: whenever the voltage doubles, the power consumption quadruple. "

This is not true.  220V equipment runs at half the amps of 110.  Power Consumption is based on Watts which is Voltage times Amps.

[keithandkatya]

... in response to Re: follow up question-what kind of plug, posted by romachko on May 20, 2004

The battery charger does say 110/240 and 50/60hz so I think Im ok but... the battery charger also acts a transformer when another piece is attached so that you can run the camera (sharp) from the wall outlet... Im willing to do the battery charge thing but though it would be great to run it from the outlet I am a bit leery of it... I did buy a plug convertor from wall mart but even though it has a northern european plug and a southern european plug I have a sinking feeling ukraine may use still another system!! I have been trying to get the wife to get one (she went a few weeks ahead of me) but she says all the ones she has seen so far are not adaptable to the us plug... I guess I will take the walmart special with me and if it doesnt work try to go to someplace there to pick one up...
keith

[John K]

... in response to follow up question-what kind of plug, posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

In Sevastopol, there are two types of similar plugs.  Both are a pair of round posts, but the width differs between the posts.  Given that Sevastopol was a closed Russian seaport, I would guess the older stuff was built with Russian plugs and newer stuff is with Ukrainian plugs.  I think the narrower set of plugs is standard Ukrainian.  You'll need to look pretty close, as there's not a lot of difference.  Just enough to not be able to plug in.  :-)

[cherokee]

... in response to follow up question-what kind of plug, posted by keithandkatya on May 19, 2004

I believe they normally say for Eastern Europe. You are right about not needing a transformer, you just need the adapter if you'll only need to use your charger.

[cherokee]

... in response to should have 2 round posts, posted by cherokee on May 19, 2004

should be some kind of red switch on it somewhere to change from 110 to 220v.

[Stan]

... in response to but be sure to change it to 220v!, posted by cherokee on May 19, 2004

Our camcorder is "smart enough" to know what it is plugged into. Just try Radio Shack for a plug adapter, probably the cheapest you can find will work just fine, did for us