Electricity Question

Janet Wilder <kelliepoodlem> writes:

> [ charger for nintendo ds lite ]

Almost all of my chargers for electronic stuff have stickers on them
that say something like this (this is from my phone charger)

Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.2A
Output: 5.0V = 550mA

100V-240V means that it accepts anything between 100 volts and 240 volts,
the ~ is a symbol for alternating current, 50/60Hz means it aceepts both
frequencies, and 0.2A means that it will not draw more current than that.
This means it can be used anywhere in the world with just a plug converter.

One or two of my charges specify 230V or something like that, and thus
can't be used on 110V. This is unusual, but it does happen. I have the
impression that 110 volt only stuff is more common in USA than 220 volt
only stuff is here.


--
Fredrik Stax\"ang | rot13: sfgk@hcqngr.hh.fr
This is all you need to know about vi: ESC : q ! RET

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:16:44 +0100, Janet Wilder wrote
(in article <48b95677$0$12393$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com>):

> My camera uses AA batteries and I have a charger that is dual voltage for the

> re-chargeables.

When I first started using a digital camera I was advised that
rechargeable batteries were best to use. I have a Canon Powershot
that uses 4 AA batteries and I used to dutifully carried my charger
and a spare set of batteries all over the place when travelling
abroad.

Later I discovered that a set of Lithium AAs will take at least 800
photos which is far more than I need for any holiday I take. They are
also noticeable lighter than rechargeables, which is a bonus. If they
did happen to run out a set of alkaline AAs are obtainable anywhere
in Europe.

I know it's not very 'green' but I really don't think rechargeables
are worth the hassle.

--
Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:22:00 +0100, Janet Wilder wrote
(in article <48b9ba16$0$9629$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com>):

> Mike Lane wrote:
>> On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:16:44 +0100, Janet Wilder wrote
>> (in article <48b95677$0$12393$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com>):
>>
>>> My camera uses AA batteries and I have a charger that is dual
>>> voltage for the re-chargeables.
>>
>> When I first started using a digital camera I was advised that
>> rechargeable batteries were best to use. I have a Canon Powershot
>> that uses 4 AA batteries and I used to dutifully carried my charger
>> and a spare set of batteries all over the place when travelling
>> abroad.
>>
>
> I am on my second PowerShot. My first was the S1. This is the new S5.
> One of the things I like about the Canons is the fact that they use
> batteries. You can always run into a shop and get more. I have the
> Hybred re-chargeables and some of those new Lithium ones from Energizer.
>
> I use the view finder, not the screen, to take photos so my batteries
> last a long time. I'm not at all worried about the camera. <g>
>

Yes, exactly. So why do you bother about taking the rechargeables and
a charger? One set of Lithiums would be fine. Saving weight when
travelling is *really* important.

--
Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane

On 2008-08-31, Janet Wilder <kelliepoodlem> wrote:

> The only thing that I am worried about is my Nintendo DS Lite
> which, according to the manufacturer's web site, is not compatable with
> European voltage and will need the transformer. I won't leave it home,
> either as it entertains me while on long flights.

A search of "nintendo ds lite charger" shows several multivoltage chargers
available for a few bucks. Shame on Nintendo for not including at multivoltage
unit as standard.

> Wish us luck. <g>

You won't be needing it.

On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 14:22:10 +0200, "Tim C." <timc@tele2.at> wrote:

>On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 14:13:09 +0200, Frank Hucklenbroich wrote in post :
><news:b0t8x35t8o1g$.1dwu0jq6qwvnk.dlg@40tude.ne t> :
>
>> Am Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:16:44 -0500 schrieb Janet Wilder:
>>
>>> My camera uses AA batteries and I have a charger that is dual voltage
>>> for the re-chargeables.
>>
>> No problem to get these batteries for very little money all over Europe. I
>> don't know how many photots you are going to take, but I simply take a
>> stack of, say, 10 AA batteries that last me for some hundreds of photos. So
>> I wouldn't bother taking a charger with me.
>>
>>> All of the places we will be staying will have
>>> hair dryers, but I was concerned about my Ninetendo DS Lite.
>>
>> Should be fine with 220 Volts. Read the fine print on the charger.
>>
>>> And I will
>>> probably be using a phone charger when I get the rental phone for Europe.
>>
>> Rental phone? Are you sure? You can get a pre-paid cellphone in Europe for
>> something like 10 - 15 Dollars (simple phone without camera, but good
>> enough to make calls). I wouldn't bother renting one! Look in the big
>> electronic-stores, they always offer phones for pre-paid-cards (like
>> Vodafone Call Ya or O2-Loop). No monthly fee for these phones, and they
>> come with a charger for 220 Volts.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Frank
>
>Don't you need to be a resident to get one though? Not the phone, a SIM
>card I mean.

You don't in UK and NL.
--

Martin

On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 16:27:40 +0100, SMS wrote
(in article <EPTuk.25998$Ri.24227@flpi146.ffdc.sbc.com>):

> You don't want to be using alkaline AA batteries in the S5, you'll get very,
> very few shots from them. I lent an AA powered Powershot to a relative that
> didn't want to bring a charger on a cruise and she was buying AA batteries
> more than twice a day, for relatively few pictures. Bring several sets of
> high-capacity rechargeable AA batteries, preferable Sanyo 2700 mAH cells. The

> Eveready Lithium AA disposables work fine, but they're very expensive,
> costing more than a set of NiMH rechargeables.


I suspect this is nonsense. The specifications for the S5 state that
you should get approximately 170 shots with the Alkaline AAs that are
supplied with the camera.

I use alkaline AAs in my A620 Powershot and I can take a few hundred
pictures with one set of 4 cells. The Canon specifications for the
A620 state approx. 350 images with the LCD monitor on, from 1 set of
batteries. My experience agrees with this.

In the UK a set of Lithium AAs cost about twice as much as a good set
of Alkalines, but give much more than twice the number of photos.
More than enough for for most trips.

--
Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane

On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 17:33:16 +0100, SMS wrote
(in article <rVdvk.19844$jI5.9780@flpi148.ffdc.sbc.com>):

> erilar wrote:
>
>> OK, my camera is a Sony Cybershot that uses 2 AA batteries. I carry an
>> extra set of Sony rechargeables and a battery charger with appropriate
>> plugs(the electricity variance doesn't bother it, but plug shapes vary).
>> I shoot hundreds of fotos on a trip; it was over 700 last time AFTER I
>> deleted many along the way. I review regularly to keep my camera log
>> updated. Of course, I don't keep it turned on when I'm not taking
>> pictures.
>
> NiMH batteries, with their low internal resistance, high current
> capability, and flat discharge curve give hundreds of shots per charge.
> It's the alkaline batteries, with their high internal resistance and low
> current that are especially poorly suited for use in digital cameras.

Well Canon seem to have overcome this problem very well. 300 - 400
shots from a set of ordinary alkaline AAs is not at all bad. I've
tried NiMHs and I don't like them at all. They're even heavier than
alkalines and they don't last as long before they need recharging.

The real problem I have with these rechargeables though is what to do
with them when you don't use them for some time. Not being a
professional photographer I often don't use my camera for weeks, if
not months at a time. What I am supposed to do with the rechargeables
then? Keeping them on-charge (even with a good charger) seems to
destroy them, and letting them discharge for long periods has the
same result.

I really have more to do with my life than playing mother hen to a
set of rechargeable batteries!

> You often see proclamations about how great it is that you can duck in
> to any convenience store in the world and buy some AA batteries if your
> rechargeables go dead. But in reality, with Li-Ion rechargeables, with
> their low-self discharge and high energy density, you're highly unlikely
> to ever have such a problem.

Except that you may have exactly that problem if your camera is three
or more years old. Li-Ion batteries do not last for ever and need to
be replaced every few years. If your camera uses Li-Ion batteries and
they die you're basically stuffed.


--
Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane

Mike Lane wrote:
>
>
> The real problem I have with these rechargeables though is what to do
> with them when you don't use them for some time.

You might look for a set of Eneloop batteries. At least that's
Sanyo's name for their low-discharge-rate NiMH rechargeables -- other
manufacturers may have similar products.

I find that they retain their charge for months of non-use in several
digital cameras here.

-- Ron

On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 23:13:05 +0100, ronh wrote
(in article <ae8a1$48bdba71$480c8bba$10430@MOUNTAINCABLE.NET>) :

> Mike Lane wrote:
>>
>>
>> The real problem I have with these rechargeables though is what to do
>> with them when you don't use them for some time.
>
> You might look for a set of Eneloop batteries. At least that's
> Sanyo's name for their low-discharge-rate NiMH rechargeables -- other
> manufacturers may have similar products.
>
> I find that they retain their charge for months of non-use in several
> digital cameras here.

Yes, so I've heard - in fact I actually bought a set a few months
ago, but I haven't actually used them yet.

The thing is I find that disposable Lithium AAs are really ideal for
my useage. Their shelf life is extremely long - ten years at least,
so I always keep a spare set. One set can take at least 800 shots
(possibly more) which is more than I take in a year. If they do
happen to run out I can easily get a set of alkalines in an
emergency.


--
Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane

On 1 Sep., 14:57, Erick T. Barkhuis <erick.use...@ardane.c-o-m> wrote:
> Martin:
>
> > On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 14:22:10 +0200, "Tim C." <t...@tele2.at> wrote:
> >> Don't you need to be a resident to get one though? Not the phone, a SIM
> >> card I mean.
> > You don't in UK and NL.
>
> Gee...that surprises me. In Germany, registration is required and you
> must have an address within the country.

Surprises me

Registration is required (as in most countries now), but as a non-
resident
I had no problem getting a SIM-card in Germany lately. ID-card or
passport
is more important - my address in Switzerland was accepted even
without
asking for any proof (no address mentionned on ID-card or passport)