drrich2
Contributor
I hope to someday make a one-time bucket list trip to somewhere in Indonesia. I've been researching online and aim for Raja Amat. I've never traveled to Europe or anywhere else farther than the Galapagos, and I've never had to contend with power outlets that don't accept U.S. plugs. I thought this was just a matter of buying a universal adapter to plug into the outlet, easy-peasy. Turns out it's more complicated.
First off, let's see what electric service a mid-range Raja Amat live-aboard offers. Indo-Siren per Blue Water Dive Travel has 220v or 110v. Master Liveaboard’s site claimed both 220v/50Hz and 24v/60Hz available, with power points requiring European-style 2 round pin plugs, a small selection of adapters are available onboard but they recommend guests bring a universal adapter. Not sure why one source says 110v (which I take it is like U.S., 110v/60Hz) and one says 24v/60Hz.
Then I learned shopping for universal adapters has 3 considerations – plug compatibility (e.g.: can you plug it in), voltage conversion (which not all do), and the maximum current/wattage supported (especially if you want to use hair dryers or other high wattage items). The EPICKA Universal Adapter was highly rated, and let’s you plug into a range of outlets, but doesn’t convert voltage, max. power output is 880 Watts at 110Vac or 1,840W at 230Vac, and it’s warned not to use with appliances requiring ‘earth connections’ (that mean a grounded outlet?). TripSavvy.com warned it’s noisy when charging (a charger that made noise would scare me). So one might consider the Bonazza 2,000W Voltage Converter – but you have to choose between converter mode and adapter mode (which doesn’t convert voltage), and dual voltage appliances must use adapter mode – so be careful as you plug in different things! Don’t trust in a good review…read the details! Some devices can handle different voltages and only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Granted, I don't use hair dryers...I comb my hair in place while wet, and let dry. I don't think I'm grunge, just 'cosmetically low maintenance.'
So, those of you who make the Indonesia trips, PNG, Philippines, Palau, Fiji, etc... What adapters do you use? How much of an issue is it that the adapter is also a voltage converter?
I was kinda hoping for something in the $20 - $50 range.
First off, let's see what electric service a mid-range Raja Amat live-aboard offers. Indo-Siren per Blue Water Dive Travel has 220v or 110v. Master Liveaboard’s site claimed both 220v/50Hz and 24v/60Hz available, with power points requiring European-style 2 round pin plugs, a small selection of adapters are available onboard but they recommend guests bring a universal adapter. Not sure why one source says 110v (which I take it is like U.S., 110v/60Hz) and one says 24v/60Hz.
Then I learned shopping for universal adapters has 3 considerations – plug compatibility (e.g.: can you plug it in), voltage conversion (which not all do), and the maximum current/wattage supported (especially if you want to use hair dryers or other high wattage items). The EPICKA Universal Adapter was highly rated, and let’s you plug into a range of outlets, but doesn’t convert voltage, max. power output is 880 Watts at 110Vac or 1,840W at 230Vac, and it’s warned not to use with appliances requiring ‘earth connections’ (that mean a grounded outlet?). TripSavvy.com warned it’s noisy when charging (a charger that made noise would scare me). So one might consider the Bonazza 2,000W Voltage Converter – but you have to choose between converter mode and adapter mode (which doesn’t convert voltage), and dual voltage appliances must use adapter mode – so be careful as you plug in different things! Don’t trust in a good review…read the details! Some devices can handle different voltages and only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Granted, I don't use hair dryers...I comb my hair in place while wet, and let dry. I don't think I'm grunge, just 'cosmetically low maintenance.'
So, those of you who make the Indonesia trips, PNG, Philippines, Palau, Fiji, etc... What adapters do you use? How much of an issue is it that the adapter is also a voltage converter?
I was kinda hoping for something in the $20 - $50 range.