Is this a model anyone here has experience with?
Before I buy I would like to be sure I have what I might need.
Thank you
Frank
http://www.international-electrical-supplies.com/voltage-converter-4.html

Frank,

Look for the model that works in a Mopane Tree....

I don't see the Namibian plug. but I like the other features.

most camera equipment these days are dual voltage, so what you really only need is a plug converter-which is cheaper than a voltage converter/ plug converter combo.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
most camera equipment these days are dual voltage, so what you really only need is a plug converter-which is cheaper than a voltage converter/ plug converter combo.

Ditto. Most can charge equally with any voltage between 100 and 250VAC and anywhere from 50 to 60 cycles. Don't forget that most electronic equipment will also charge from the ubiquitous 12VDC cigarette receptical in any vehicle. That may acutally be your best bet in remote hunting areas.

I try to get items that will recharge using a cigarette lighter. In my limited experience, most camps do not have sufficient power to recharge electric equipment, the toyota, on the other hand, generates plenty.

TerryR

I bought an inverter that plugs in to a cigarette lighter and give 150 watts of 110 power. I have been testing it in my truck and has worked well so far. Got it from Radio Shack.

One of the guys who was with me this year also had an inverter. It worked well for him.

TerryR

Frank, that unit should be just fine for Africa but make sure it has the proper male adapter. Here's a pic of what I take to Africa (and on all international travels).



The adapter is a GE AV23611 Dual Wattage Foreign Voltage Adaptor and the battery charger is an Ultra-Fast Ni-MH & Ni-Cd Battery Charger.

Even though many of the electronic/digital equipment of today do not need the converters I take my along anyway just in case. I don't like risking expensive cameras/laptops/etc. to the ravages of wrong voltage conversion. Also, I have left two voltage converters/adaptors at two farms that I will probably always return to. Those units are affordable and can be bought at REI, Target, or Walmart. Also, bring along cigarette lighte plug-ins for your cameras and voice recorders.

Namibiahunter

quote:

Originally posted by TerryR:
I try to get items that will recharge using a cigarette lighter. In my limited experience, most camps do not have sufficient power to recharge electric equipment, the toyota, on the other hand, generates plenty.

TerryR

That's my theory as well.

My digital cybershot takes AA batteries and the energizer E batteries last for hundreds of shots...

Mike

Thanks everyone. Boy what a ton more to think about. I am taking my digital camera and DVC along with a little pocket snap.
My notebook will probably be the biggest draw as my small cameras also live on double A batts. I had not looked at the cigarette lighter inverters for direct power.
Frank

quote:

The adapter is a GE AV23611 Dual Wattage Foreign Voltage Adaptor and the battery charger is an Ultra-Fast Ni-MH & Ni-Cd Battery Charger.

The fast battery chargers will burn your batteries out 10-100x faster than a slow charger will. With a slow charger you might get 1000 good uses out of a battery. With a fast charger you may only get 10. The fast chargers will use a whole lot more current than necessary and don't have the circuitry to detect when the battery has finished charging; so they keep sourcing more high current until you take them off or a timer runs out. The good chargers may take 8hrs but they fill the battery as high as it will go and then trickle a little juice in to keep the battery topped off.

The La Crosse chargers have the best reputation. They'll charge at 200mAh and then trickle charge to keep your batteries topped off. They can also use the higher current if you really do need a charge in 30 minutes. Like all things, you get what you pay for.


Also I really like the Sanyo Eneloop batteries. Most rechargeable batteries will self-discharge to half capacity in less than a month. The Eneloops will still be at 80% after a year and then they start losing a few percent a year after that.

.mike

I bought mine in So. Africa some years back and its a 6"x4" oblong squre box affair that fits together like some kind of puzzle, you flip out the one you need and presto your in business and it works anywhere in the world including off your cigerate lighter in your truck...It is about the cats meow..I don't even know the name of it or where it is right now, but its around here someplace...

Bringing this to the top with a question - Does anyone know if Namibia uses they same type of electrical sockets as South Africa. I'm familiar with that type and I'm heading to Namibia the end of May.