Bringing a laptop computer + peripherals from U.S.

I was planning to take my US laptop, router, Vonage phone, and possibly printer to Germany.

Can I just get a converter and get everything working over there, or do you guys think I should buy everything (except the laptop) over in Germany?

Thanks.

You can get a transformer for your gear here prices depend on wattage of transformer.

If you are going to be here for a long time, then I'd say ditch your US
gear and get EU Spec stuff... Transformers suck up power like a dry sponge in water, so think of your monthly power bill...

All of the devices you listed should not require a transformer, since they all convert to DC power. All (except maybe the printer) should have an external power block. Many power blocks allow from 110 to 230 V input power, so you might only need to buy a plug to change from European to North American style outlets.

Even if they don't take 230V, it is much better to replace the power block than use a transformer. The router probably uses a standard voltage and plug, so you can buy any standard power block. There are probably replacement power blocks for the laptop and phone. This kind of thing is easier to find in Europe, since most North American stores don't carry 230 V stuff. Of course, there might be other issues using a US phone in Europe.

My Laptop, router (dell) and phone (panasonic 2.4ghz) were all purchased in the US & all work just fine here. You can get lots of different Adaptors here:

http://www.travelelectronics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1

computer stuff should be alright, but i'm not sure if the phone will work...

like martin said, most of those devices you listed should be designed for the higher voltage. look on the transformer unit for the rating: look for "Input: 110-230V" if that is there, no worries - you only need the plug adaptor (or buy a replacement cable once here - like for the laptop).

The phone won't work, though...

US Phones do work in Germany. You just need to buy an adapter that turns the US plug into a German TAE type. Get one that you can configure (Move) the pins around on. I used a US phone here for 4 years when I was in the Military and for another 2yrs after...

All I needed was a new plug for my laptop (dell). Works just fine, if you don´t count the MS issues.

You know the smart thing to do is bring an extension lead (you know one of those strip things with multi sockets) from the US and then put a Euro plug on it when you get here... DUNDAAAAHHHH. YOu can plug the whole lot in without changing plugs or messing about with expensive adaptors.

DO NOT DO THIS!

You risk fire, explosion, equipment damage or even death or you do not know what you are doing.

Many US power strips have surge protectors or power smoothing. Applying European 220v to these will cause them to fuse, explode and/or burst into flames. Similarly, many power strips have isolation switches only rated at 120v, so won't take kindly to 220v switching (sparks! fire!)

If you have a non-switching strip with no built-in electronics (or even an indicator light) then MAYBE you are ok, BUT you need to be sure any US appliance you plug into the strip can accommodate 220v/50cycles. Most computer equipment does, but not older equipment, nor some cheaper equipment with simpler power supplies. Most domestic equipment, radio, hifi, active speakers, hairdryers, etc. will at best not function, at worst explode.

When other members of your family see a familiar US outlet it's tempting to plug in their US appliance without appreciating it's running on the European supply. Result? - burning, scarred or injured children or wife- maybe. Something you might like to avoid...

YL6

Jesus! I just had an image of me jumping out of the window while engulfed in flames.

I checked my HP power strip and it says 100V - 240V.

My Vonage phone also has a small power strip which says 100V - 240V.

I think my printer will to too heavy anyhow.

My V-tech cordless phone however seems to be just a fat black square plug which says AC 117V / DC 9V. I guess this is the only one that won't work there?

Thanks.

Not without a transformer, or better a replacement power supply which you should be able to find for less than €15 at most DIY or electrical stores...

Bear in mind, however, that many US cordless phones use wireless transmission frequencies which are not licensed here, and older ones use frequencies which are not only illegal but are shared by the German police, so you could be quickly found out...

YL6

All you would need is a German AC/DC plug that matches the voltage, but as YL6 said there maybe a problem with the frequency. Though my Digital phone works just fine here with a German ac/dc plug I don't know if it's entirely legal

As for the printer you can just get a cheapish one here, mine was 75 Eu for an HP photo printer, and it's dual voltage.

So not one of my best ideas... Did this myself though and it worked. Must have had a strip plug without the surge protector...

But if you say its a hazard to the new world order I will not argue.

900Mhz & 2.4Ghz cordless phones are also use here in Germany in the same Feq. band.

Now if yall really want to get technical I'll pull out the 8in thick radio Freq. guide from RegTP

Oops sorry, I missed out on the US part, I was thinking of Irish/UK phones...

Sorry, just ignore my post...

IE/UK Phones should also work here with the correct adapters...

All landline "House" phones work on the same basic rules no matter what country you goto..

A telephone only requires 2 cables (1 Pair) 1 cable is called RING the other TIP.. some countries place these in different places on their jacks, but they are there...

PS: you can also hookup a small earpiece to the ring/tip and listen to the conv. just don't get caught as it's Highly Illegal...

MY German phone won't work in Ireland at least, there are tricks to get around it, you have to change the wire somehow, I'm not sure how to do it exactly, someone told me how to do it, it's not hard to do but I don't think just an adapter works, but I'm no expert...

So why do my ISDN phones need 4 cables???

Answers on a postcard..

Hmm. So to get my V-tech US phone working, would this (50 Watt Voltage Converter "SCHUKO" German type plug with Fuse protection. Step down only, can be used anywhere with 220Volt power):

http://www.travelelectronics.com/catalog/p...63c14198a0a221c

be what's required, or merely this (Universal Plug German Type Input: 2 round pin "schuko" Output: Universal):

http://www.travelelectronics.com/catalog/p...a977491e35e4d93

I guess I'll just need the universal plugs for my laptop and vonage router/phone, since they both have 100 - 240V power strips.

Thanks.

Many don't - the ring signal in Germany raises the line voltage to 60v, in the UK it's 90v, so some (but not all) UK phones won't actually ring here, although you can use them to make calls. Worse still, answering machines and faxes from UK won't actually "answer" the phone because they don't recognise the ring, so become rather useless for their intended function

It is possible to rig up an adapter using a capacitor balast to raise the incoming German ring signal to UK levels... If you base the adapter on a UK socket you don't need any other adapter or replacement cable

YL6

'fraid your links don't work - looks like you need to have some log-in access to the site.

Any form of conversion is both a risk, and a waste of power. Simply consider a replacement power supply. Just as cheap and much safer...

For those devices that can handle the power here, consider plug adapters only as a temporary solution. Cable replacement is just as cheap and again, much safer. Plug adapters can be pretty unstable mechanically, and can expose live contacts...

YL6

They don't...

The Line coming into your house is 1 Pair, the cable from the wal to the NTBA
is 1 Pair, the jacks on the bottom of the NTBA can hold 4 Pair, but out of those only 1 pair is actually used. Don't believe me open the little flap on the NTBA
(Where you would hardwire the cables) and count the actual # of holes. All the
ports should be labeled..

Sorry, it's 2-pair (i.e. 4 wires as Grinner said) one pair each for transmit and receive, labelled in the NTBA output block as a1/b1 and a2/b2 (the "S0-bus")

YL6

If your using both channels then yes.. 1 channel requires 1 pair (2 wires)
2 channels requires 4 wires (2 Pair)... But as taken from the above posts only 1 pair is required for a single ISDN channel/phone.

No - an ISDN device won't function unless both pairs are connected - more than that connected with correct polarity to correctly form the S0 bus. It's more complex than simply two channels over 2 wire-pairs. There is a third 16Kb channel which shares both pairs and is used for co-ordination of the datapaths (signalling channel availability, second channel calling and reliability data).

YL6

We just moved to Germany 3 months ago, and these are the things we learned.
1.Your Laptop will work should have a switch on the back and you can buy plug converters for around a dollar or so.
2. American phones will NOT work in Germany they run on a different frequency.
3. Converters are expensive but well worth the money. Beats buying everthing you have over again.
4. Us routers will NOT work in Germany, that you will have to buy here.

It would be very unusual to have a switch on a LapTop. Most/all LapTops power supplies are multi-voltage, will work anywhere. I would not recommend a plug converter at all, they are mechanically and electrically dangerous for long term use. Changing the power cable (cable only, not the whole power supply!) is just as cheap, much easier, and far safer.
Of course they will work! - you may need a different power supply (if they are powered at all) and definately a plug adapter or replacement cable for the phone outlet, but otherwise the system is identical. Early US cordless phones use a 900MHz transmission frequency that is not licensed for use in Germany, but that doesn't stop you using them!
I think you mean transformers. Can't be used in every situation, but can be used in most. Make sure your transformer is rated at least twice as high as your anticipated power consumption to err on the safe side.
US Routers are identical to European ones, except, maybe (again) you need a european power supply. Wireless routers use include different channels, not licensed for use in Europe, but they nonetheless work.

Agree with YL6.
My other half's got US and EU routers at home and all you need is a EU power pack to get them working here. Shouldn't be an issue to get those here, loads of ppl sell this stuff on eBay.

Also agree with YL6.

Almost anything that uses an AC to DC transformer will either automatically switch between voltages and frequencies or will have a manual switch to do so. Your laptop's power brick will probably say 110V-240V, 50Hz-60Hz and not require anything special other than a plug adapter. Desktop power supplies are either automatic (they'll say so) or have a switch on the back.

I buy virtually all my electronics in the US and use them here. Of the two laptops, projector, wireless router, two external hard drives, desktop power supply, mobile phone charger, digital camera, printer, scanner, soldering iron, and AC to 12V DC converter that I've bought since I've lived in Germany only the wireless router was North American spec only.

If you have any doubt just check the external transformer or where the plug goes into the device (like on a TV or stereo receiver).

I'm thinking about buying a laptop out here in the U.S. since prices are so much better. Specifically I am looking at the Toshiba Satellite P105. I have some quick questions on the power supply:

1. Do I need to replace the entire AC adapter for a German specific one or can I just replace the cord that goes from the AC adapter to the socket in the wall?

2. If I can just replace the cord, how difficult is this to find? Where can I get this replacement cable? Is it specific for the AC adapter?

3. If I have to replace the entire AC adapter, how do I know which one to buy since model numbers are different in Germany than in the U.S.?

3. Will doing this affect the battery of the laptop over time?

4. Will I have any problems with a WiFi connection or is this the same internationally?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Herr Brain

Bring it with you.

Universal PSU are usually about 40€

Wont affect anything else..

G

What's a universal PSU?

edit -- I imagine power supply somthing...

@Grinner: do i need a entire new AC adapter or a just the replacement cable?

We had to replace a faulty power cord for a Dell laptop (originally purchased in the US) last year. Since the Dell model numbers are different between the US and Germany, I opted to order the proper US power cord for the model (to avoid unnecessary battery drain) and continue to use the plug adapter purchased at the hardware store for 2 yo-yos.

Oh, and no problems with wi-fi, either.

But isn't the 2 yo yo plug adapter bad for long term use?

Like most LapTops the specification for the Toshiba indicates it will run on 120/230v, therefore there are many (cheap) options:

• replace the power cable to the power supply unit (PSU) - certainly the best but most expensive option - probably €10-15 depending on whether you get the cable from a local supplier or Toshiba themselves - Advantage: you keep the old cable for re-use in the US
• replace the plug on the end of the cable - cost around €3 but you need to know how to attach an electric plug - Disadvantage: you'll need to replace it back to use in the US
• Find a US-German power adapter (NOT converter) - cost €5-10 - Disadvantage: not recommended for long term use

None of these solutions will affect life or use of the system, and the the first and last won't even affect guarantee.

PSU - power supply unit.

I like that first option. So that means I don't need a new AC adapter, just a replacement of the cord that connects the ac adapter to the wall. I have tried to call Toshiba Germany to see if they will sell this to me, but their offices are closed. I want to order the laptop today so it arrives in time before I leave, but really want to make sure the replacement cable is available.

I can assure you, it will be available, although maybe not from Toshiba, and even if, by some quirk of fate, it is not then you have options 2 and 3 open to you.

Thanks for your help YL6!

I got the replacement cable (cord from AC adapter to the wall) with the German head for 3.50€ at a Toshiba supplier in Munich. Now I have one for the States and Germany for when I go back and forth. Pretty cool...

Can you please recommned me shop in Munich; where I can buy Converters and adapters for electronic devices from USA to German?
Do you think that Conrad electronic shop near MarienPlatz should have it?

thnaks

First look on your Laptops power adapter and see if it works with both 1110/120 and 230/240 voltage.
Most all of the newer stuff (Made in the last 5-6 years) does, and would only require a socket adapter
or german power cord. No need for a transformer.