Last time we were in the UK we blew the hotel up with a hair dryer.

May 10, 2007 10:34 AM

I have a friend visiting me from the UK that is looking to buy a Nintendo DS while he is here to bring back home. Does he need to buy a converter to use with the included power adaptor, or does he need to buy a 240 charger back home? Will the US adaptor work with UK outlets?

We're both clueless about all this electricity stuff, we just want to avoid him getting it home and blowing up his fancy new toy.

Thanks for the help!

posted by skrike to technology (7 comments total)

Well, since the DS uses the same power supply as the Game Boy Advance (reference), it doesn't seem like it would be that hard to find one in the UK, even if the US version only comes with a 120VAC supply.

I should clarify though that is true only for the original DS, not the "DS Lite" (the newer white one) which has a special, totally different power connector.

Unfortunately I can't find any information on its power supply but if anyone owns one it'll be trivial to see whether it's 120-only or 120/240; on the power 'brick' itself it should list the input and output voltages. If it says "120-240V, 50-60Hz" then you're good to go in Britain, with just an adapter to physically make the plugs fit.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:55 AM on May 10, 2007

The GBA SP power pack is only 120, and in my experience didn't work through a converter.
posted by smackfu at 10:57 AM on May 10, 2007

Sorry I should have specified the DS Lite. I own a DS and although I dont have the brick in front of me I did check it the other day and didnt see any mention of 240. I brought my ipod charger with me over there last time and that says 240 on it and it worked fine, but for something that doesnt do 240 I wasnt sure how that works.
posted by skrike at 10:57 AM on May 10, 2007

My UK charger (which came in the box with my DS-Lite) is 240V only. I would then assume the US one is 120V only.

Though the DC voltage (output from the AC adapter) should be the same on all versions of the unit so he should be able to buy a charger when he gets back to the UK. Game (a UK video game retailer) probably stocks cheap non-genuine ones - their website should help with prices.
posted by dcbarker at 11:00 AM on May 10, 2007

Thanks dcbarker it does look like an aftermarket adapter is the best option.

Now to just figure out if its that much more cost effective.
posted by skrike at 11:13 AM on May 10, 2007

I have a spectacularly useful USB to DS-Lite charger, which just plugs into my iBook when I need to charge up. I got it on eBay, where they go for about £4. I think you can buy them at Game too, but being non-region-specific, they may well be cheaper on your side of the pond.
posted by featherboa at 11:55 AM on May 10, 2007

I had a similar question a month or two ago, since the DS-Lite only comes with a 120V adapter here, and I found a 120/240V aftermarket adapter for $10 at GameStop/EBGames. Add a $2 plug adapter from Radio Shack, and it might be a little cheaper than buying it in the UK.
posted by cmonkey at 3:40 PM on May 10, 2007