Need an outlet adapter for US to Israel/Palestine
March 22, 2023 1:44 PM Subscribe
Where in Manhattan or along the N/R/W can I go in person to buy a power adapter that ALSO does voltage conversion for US (which all my electronics are) to Israel/Palestine (where I will be…very soon)?
The one I ordered online does not do the conversion and it’s too late to return and order from somewhere else. I’d rather not destroy another personal massage device in a foreign country (it was Germany last time. For those who are curious.)
The one I ordered online does not do the conversion and it’s too late to return and order from somewhere else. I’d rather not destroy another personal massage device in a foreign country (it was Germany last time. For those who are curious.)
Best answer: Not quite along the N/R/W but I’d be shocked if you couldn’t get one at B&H
posted by Mchelly at 1:59 PM on March 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 1:59 PM on March 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
Are you sure you need voltage conversion?
An adapter is a device that allows you to put a plug that is one shape into a socket that is another shape. These things are like $10. B&H or Best Buy or the airport will have them.
A device that steps voltage down or up is called a transformer. It’s often heavy, large, pretty expensive, noisy and unnecessary for most modern electronics which support all domestic voltages worldwide. You almost certainly don’t need a transformer if you’re just taking like a phone and a laptop, for example. You might need one if you’re taking a blender or a hair dryer or a space heater or something. But don’t do that. It’s usually will be cheaper and simpler to buy a new one of those at your destination than it is to buy, import and use a transformer.
posted by caek at 2:31 PM on March 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
An adapter is a device that allows you to put a plug that is one shape into a socket that is another shape. These things are like $10. B&H or Best Buy or the airport will have them.
A device that steps voltage down or up is called a transformer. It’s often heavy, large, pretty expensive, noisy and unnecessary for most modern electronics which support all domestic voltages worldwide. You almost certainly don’t need a transformer if you’re just taking like a phone and a laptop, for example. You might need one if you’re taking a blender or a hair dryer or a space heater or something. But don’t do that. It’s usually will be cheaper and simpler to buy a new one of those at your destination than it is to buy, import and use a transformer.
posted by caek at 2:31 PM on March 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
This thing at P. C. Richard, which has these four Manhattan locations, looks like what you want; their other New York City locations are on their store locator page here.
However: when I put the ZIP code "10001" into the item page to see what my pickup/delivery options were, it only offered delivery within 2-3 days. In your case, I think it's probably worth calling them (631-773-4900 or 877-727-1909) to see if any stores you might get to could have it in stock for you to collect before you depart. Good luck.
posted by mdonley at 4:00 PM on March 22, 2023
However: when I put the ZIP code "10001" into the item page to see what my pickup/delivery options were, it only offered delivery within 2-3 days. In your case, I think it's probably worth calling them (631-773-4900 or 877-727-1909) to see if any stores you might get to could have it in stock for you to collect before you depart. Good luck.
posted by mdonley at 4:00 PM on March 22, 2023
Response by poster: I got what I need at B&H!
posted by bilabial at 4:21 PM on March 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bilabial at 4:21 PM on March 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
For other folks in this situation, while I obviously prefer to get something like this taken care of before a trip, it’s not nearly as hard as you might think to get a plug or voltage adapter on arrival. The thing is that a country tends to have only one voltage and socket type, and plenty of residents buy electronics in the US because they are often cheaper. The adapters are almost always universal input, they take almost any type of plug.
posted by wnissen at 8:50 AM on March 24, 2023
posted by wnissen at 8:50 AM on March 24, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:52 PM on March 22, 2023