Buying stuff in the USA

footman

footman

footman

Soldato
Joined
21 Oct 2002
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4,320
I know this has been covered before but Im just about to go out shopping and the thought of some SERIOUS shopping has just occurred to me. ATM Im in Charleston South Carolina and weve decided to rent a car and go exploring.

Im considering buying a few bits and realise the implications of warranty etc. but what I dont understand are the implications about electrical power. Can I run stuff like lappies, chargers etc in UK buy simply buying a plug adapter over here?
 
Some power supplys/devices are autoswitching, so you don't need a step-down transformer. It'll show 110v-240v on the power supply.

Others will require step-down transformers, depending on the load might require high current. I've had two 110V DVD players and a £15 stepdown is sufficient, but if it's power amps you'll need higher capacity one.

Laptop PSU's will usually be autoswitching.

If you plug a 110v only power supply straight into our mains you'll blow the power supply up, and most likely the connected equipment.
 
thanks for the quick replies! I just spent a couple of minutes googling for Walmart and thought Id look back here before going out.
 
Warranties are a pain.
Regarding the power, it varies, you need to check the label on the individual device. For many laptops and psus they will say 'for full range' so you can just plug them in over here with just a uk kettle lead. Although with laptops you might want to check they aren't using a proprietary power adaptor as they often do preventing you from plugging in a uk kettle lead.

Edit: Just checked, and my laptop psu says 100-240. But it uses a proprietary lead with a fixed plug that can't be replaced, you you could either cut the wire and attach a uk plug or you would have to contact the manufacturer for a uk plug adaptor. I'm sure this will be the case for other things to, so something to look out for.
 
Last edited:
Joe42 said:
Edit: Just checked, and my laptop psu says 100-240. But it uses a proprietary lead with a fixed plug that can't be replaced, you you could either cut the wire and attach a uk plug or you would have to contact the manufacturer for a uk plug adaptor. I'm sure this will be the case for other things to, so something to look out for.
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You can just use a US-UK adapter, I do with my laptop and it works perfectly although if I could be bothered I'd just get a replacement lead for the bit between the powerbrick and the plug. :)
 
semi-pro waster said:
You can just use a US-UK adapter, I do with my laptop and it works perfectly although if I could be bothered I'd just get a replacement lead for the bit between the powerbrick and the plug. :)
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Ahh of course.
What i was saying is on mine and many others the bit between the powerbrick and the plug uses a proprietary connector rather than a kettle plug, but i forgot you can just get a us to uk plug adaptor.
 
Clerkin said:
whats cheap over there compared to here though? :confused:

is it worth saving £50 an then have it break and having no way of returning it etc?
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Youre right....after looking around some of the stores theres nothing remarkable at any real saving. Maybe online deals are better though.

Renting the car and driving in town and on the interstate was scary enough. Tomtom was about as useful as a **** in a spacesuit!!
 
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