Voltage converter for heating pad

October 10, 2012 7:06 AM

220 volt to 110 volt power converter for use with a heating pad that will be on for several hours

I use a heating pad for back pain -- the standard size you get at a drug store -- and I need a 220 volt to 110 volt converter to take to Europe. The pad will be on for several hours daily on the Low setting. The $20 plug-into-the-wall converters appear not to be for continuous use, and the bigger ones with step-down transformers are the size of a loaf of bread and cost $100.

What do I need? I'd appreciate brand and model number recommendations for good quality stuff.

posted by KRS to Technology (5 answers total)

Best answer: You need a 220V heating pad.

And possibly a cheap pin adapter to get the right euro-style plug.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:08 AM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Second for just buying a 220 volt pad. The plug-in converters work okay for low-draw applications, but after a couple of bad experiences I won't use them for any heat-producing appliance anymore. That's what draws the most power. Any converter that works well enough to use with a heating pad will be many times more expensive than a new heating pad.
posted by echo target at 8:07 AM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Yeah, a heating pad costs what, $20-30? Your $20 voltage converter won't do it, which means you're going to spend more on a voltage converter than a new heating pad.
posted by straw at 8:33 AM on October 10, 2012

Best answer: This should work. However, I agree with the others that it would be better to get a 220v heating pad. Here is one from Amazon for under $20.
posted by cosmac at 10:48 AM on October 10, 2012

Response by poster: Many thanks!
posted by KRS at 5:30 PM on October 10, 2012