electricity in Curacao

[mintaka]

According to various websites, the electricity in Curacao is 110-130 Volts at 50 Hz.

We'll be staying at Habitat. Will I be able to recharge batteries and laptop ? Will I need any special adapters ?
All of my stuff is standard US 60 Hz

Thanks !

[jd950]

Pending a response from someone who has stayed at Habitat, I will throw this in: Not been to habitat but I have had no issues elsewhere charging/running laptop, chargers, etc.

[mike_s]

According to various websites, the electricity in Curacao is 110-130 Volts at 50 Hz.

We'll be staying at Habitat. Will I be able to recharge batteries and laptop ? Will I need any special adapters ?
All of my stuff is standard US 60 Hz

Thanks !

you need to flip your battery charger and laptop power supply over and read what the label says.

are you sure your laptop isn't 50-60hz?


For example, my laptop will work on 110v-220v, 50-60hz, so no adapter is needed. I've used it in Europe on 50hz 220v without anything besides a plug convertor/adapter.

however, if yours is, I would suggest a frequency adapter. You can buy these at Walmart/Target/Office Depot, etc.

chances are it'll work on 50hz, but long term use could cause issues.

[mintaka]

Yes, my devices are as you say. I should have just looked
However I've read some sites which say Curacao is 110-130V/50Hz
Curacao Electricity | curacao-guide.info

and others which say 220-240V
Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Information for Curaçao : Adaptelec.com, International Electrical Specialists

It seems that I'll just need plug adapters ? German/Dutch style ?

[mike_s]

Yes, my devices are as you say. I should have just looked

good...

However I've read some sites which say Curacao is 110-130V/50Hz
Curacao Electricity | curacao-guide.info

and others which say 220-240V
Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Information for Curaçao : Adaptelec.com, International Electrical Specialists

It seems that I'll just need plug adapters ? German/Dutch style ?

what's really important is to check the website of your hotel or give them a call and find out exactly what they have.

Then, just for backup, go buy yourself a set of plug adapters and take with you. You're talking about $10 to $20 bucks, which might "save" your vacation a little by allowing you to charge your electronic devices. That way if the hotel worker is wrong, you can still power up.

I always take a small power strip or 3 way plug adapter also with me so I can plug multiple things in at once at night. (seems you're always wanting to recharge at least one or two cell phones, plug rechargeable camera batters for both above and below water cameras, plus maybe a laptop). a power strip, plug adapater, or 3 way extention cord doesn't take up that much space in your bag.



so.... according to FAQs | Habitat Curacao

Will my electrical appliances work?

Curacao's Electrical supply is 110 - 130 volts/50 cycles, similar but not identical to the US standard. Most 60 cycle electrical appliances from the United States will function properly, although appliances that have internal time mechanisms will not keep the correct time.

don't let the range of 110-130v scare you. Your appliances will handle that. Voltages on "island power" flux some because of load/demand. (we've gotten spoiled in the US by our dependable cheap power).

If it's 110v, you can most likely expect the NEMA 5-15R outlet.


But you'd want to check with Habitat to make sure. Maybe someone's who's stayed there can chime in.

I'd still take a set of travel adapters regardless as they are cheap and don't take up any space. You never know when you might need them.


One more thing to note about Travel Adapters....

they come in two different types of sets. (which may be combined as a big set).
1.) is a power transformer. (which will convert for instance from 220v to 110v. check to see if it will convert from 50hz to 60hz also).

for example, here is a transformer,.



2.) is a set of travel plugs. If the transformer is not needed (like on a a laptop that will do 110-220v 50-60hz), you can get away with just using the plug convertors





3.) You can also use a combination of both sets. sometimes they are sold that way.





4.) one more thing to note is that some transformers will NOT work unless they are using like 200 watts or more of power. So they won't work with low wattage devices like cell phone chargers. READ AND CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY.


You can buy some transformers that you can "switch" for lower wattages devices. like this one.

[mintaka]

Thanks Mike ! A crash course in travel electricity. Yes, I like you're idea of the power strip. I have a set of power plugs but there never seems to be enough outlets. Lap top, two camera battery rechargers, AA battery recharger for strobes, two cell phone rechargers, 2 dive light rechargers, 2 Kindle rechargers... unreal

[mike_s]

one more quick thing....

I've stayed in a couple places that had both 220v and 110v plugs in the room. (because they get US and European guests). Of course the 110v plugs were never where you wanted them. so the power strip or the extention cord is nice to get it where you need it.

Also... some places might not have "grounded" plugs. (meaning just the two prong plugs)

like this


having one of those 2-prong to 3-prong grounded adapters is good to put in your "power kit".

one of these


you can buy those for $1 or so at Walmart, but sucks to try to find one when on a trip.



EDIT: one last thing, when looking at a power transformer above, see if it converts frequency also (like from 50hz). not all do I don't think.

[diversteve]

You're probably going to need the two round prong adapters. Like these: Curacao Adapter Plug Kit - A and B



The one on the right is what you'll most likely need. At least we did out in Lagun and in Piscadera Bay.

I haven't stayed at Habitat - been there twice - but other places we stayed at nearby and in town either had the European round plugs or were dual wired with U.S. plugs available.

So my laptop charger worked fine. And my phone charger. If you use a blowdryer the motor may overheat with longer use under 50hz load.

[Kukuisa]

I can agree with all of the above (except the blowdryer: we have the tradewind for that).

The standard wall outlets have U.S. flat plugs:
two verticals metals (how do you call those things?) for 110 Volt and two horizontal metals for 220 Volts. In wet areas (like a kitchen) a grounding must be present.
They will work for the standard U.S. rechargers.
If you find a wall outlet for European round plugs, the change is great that it will be 220 Volt.

K.

[Diver Lori]

I just got back from Habitat a couple weeks ago. Take a power strip if you have that many items to charge. There were not alot of outlets in the room and between my boyfriend and I we had them all used up with chargers!

Outlets in the room itself were standard for the US; in the bathroom it was a European plug, so if you want to dry your hair while in the bathroom you will need a plug adaptor.

Boyfriend has the adaptors, and I always bring a 3-prong to 2-prong adaptor, as well as a small single plug style surge protector.