Using US Electronics in Singapore
April 22, 2013 8:35 AM Subscribe
I'll be in Singapore for a vacation and, despite many trips there, I cannot remember how to go about safely plugging in American electronics in this country. It doesn't help that I basically know nothing about electricity.
1: I cannot sleep without a loud bedside fan. In the past, when I've traveled overseas (especially to England), I've tried my best to purchase a decent power converter, but each time I've either (a) blown the fan up, or (b) when I plug the fan in, it runs at about half the speed that it normally would in the US. Could someone recommend an easy to use and portable power converter that will allow me to plug my fan in and have it run normally? I'd prefer something on Amazon, as I need it shipped very quickly. For what it's worth, my fan's plug reads: "Use only with a fuse rated 2.5 amperes, 125 volts."
2: I'm pretty sure that, as long as I have the necessary plug converters, my Macbook Air, iPads and iPhones can all just plug directly into the wall. Could someone confirm this?
Thanks in advance.
1: I cannot sleep without a loud bedside fan. In the past, when I've traveled overseas (especially to England), I've tried my best to purchase a decent power converter, but each time I've either (a) blown the fan up, or (b) when I plug the fan in, it runs at about half the speed that it normally would in the US. Could someone recommend an easy to use and portable power converter that will allow me to plug my fan in and have it run normally? I'd prefer something on Amazon, as I need it shipped very quickly. For what it's worth, my fan's plug reads: "Use only with a fuse rated 2.5 amperes, 125 volts."
2: I'm pretty sure that, as long as I have the necessary plug converters, my Macbook Air, iPads and iPhones can all just plug directly into the wall. Could someone confirm this?
Thanks in advance.
I agree with one more dead town's last parade above. The 50/60 Hz difference is the real problem, and requires major equipment to convert. One good thing if you travel a lot is if you get a fan in Singapore, it'll be good to use in other countries that use 50Hz power, which is most of the world outside of North America.
posted by zsazsa at 9:50 AM on April 22, 2013
posted by zsazsa at 9:50 AM on April 22, 2013
Buy fan locally, or ask the hotel to provide one. Either way, walk away from it when you leave. Don't pack a fan and a power converter with you when you travel, that's crazy.
If you've got a Macbook, consider getting a recording of white noise instead and playing that on a loop overnight instead. The side of my Macbook power brick says "100-240V, 50-60Hz" and I bet yours does too. With the right socket adapter you'll be fine. Charge the iPads and iPhones off the MacBook, not directly out of the wall.
posted by mhoye at 12:11 PM on April 22, 2013
If you've got a Macbook, consider getting a recording of white noise instead and playing that on a loop overnight instead. The side of my Macbook power brick says "100-240V, 50-60Hz" and I bet yours does too. With the right socket adapter you'll be fine. Charge the iPads and iPhones off the MacBook, not directly out of the wall.
posted by mhoye at 12:11 PM on April 22, 2013
You can also charge the iPads/iPhones with a standard USB charging wall adaptor if that adaptor says it covers 240V and 50Hz.
I checked all 6 USB wall chargers I have for an upcoming trip and ALL of them say 100-240V, 50-60Hz.
Most consumer electronics stuff has switching power supplies now, easier to have one model that works worldwide for them as well (inventory wise).
posted by wildcrdj at 12:19 PM on April 22, 2013
I checked all 6 USB wall chargers I have for an upcoming trip and ALL of them say 100-240V, 50-60Hz.
Most consumer electronics stuff has switching power supplies now, easier to have one model that works worldwide for them as well (inventory wise).
posted by wildcrdj at 12:19 PM on April 22, 2013
I wonder if a USB-powered fan will work for you. If so, you can just plug the fan into your MacBook, and there is one less wall adaptor you will need to worry about.
posted by applesurf at 5:47 PM on April 22, 2013
posted by applesurf at 5:47 PM on April 22, 2013
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You really should buy a fan when you get to Singapore. A North American fan is going to run slower because of the difference in frequency (50 Hz instead of 60 Hz). A voltage converter won't fix this.
I'm pretty sure that, as long as I have the necessary plug converters, my Macbook Air, iPads and iPhones can all just plug directly into the wall. Could someone confirm this?
Yes, but you should make sure that the power supplies will accept 230V at 50 Hz.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 9:08 AM on April 22, 2013