[net.consumers] transformers in europe

budd@arizona.UUCP (tim budd) (02/18/85)

(no, I don't want to ask if they have those japaneese toys in europe!)

I have a couple small electronic gadgets, such as a radio and a cassette tape
player, that can take a conventional 6-volt transformer so that they can run
off of house current rather than batteries.  My question is - rather than buy
a converter that takes european plugs and power, converts them into US plugs
and power, and then transformers it to 6volt - will it be possible to buy
(presumably in europe) something that plugs directly into their outlets and
transforms into 6 volt AND will be compatable with the jack size on my
radio - basically I guess I'm asking if the jack size they use in europe for
such things is the same as we use here.
--tim budd, dept of cs, the university of arizona

ssp@sun.uucp (Stephen Page) (02/24/85)

> I have a couple small electronic gadgets, such as a radio and a cassette tape
> player, that can take a conventional 6-volt transformer so that they can run
> off of house current rather than batteries.  My question is - rather than buy
> a converter that takes european plugs and power, converts them into US plugs
> and power, and then transformers it to 6volt - will it be possible to buy
> (presumably in europe) something that plugs directly into their outlets and
> transforms into 6 volt AND will be compatable with the jack size on my
> radio - basically I guess I'm asking if the jack size they use in europe for
> such things is the same as we use here.
> --tim budd, dept of cs, the university of arizona

*** SURE THING, BOSS ***
They sell adaptors in Europe.  Try the adaptor before you buy and try wiggling
the plug around.  There are about 6 formats for DC input jacks which look very
similar, and some manufacturers use identical plugs with reverse polarity.  I
recommend buying adaptors manufactured by the makers of your equipment rather
than multipurpose adaptors; after 10 years going to and from Europe my Sony,
National and Sanyo adaptors are still going strong, but the ones from elec-
tronic supply places all broke.

=Stephen Page		{decwrl,ihnp4,ucbvax}!sun!spage	
'This flat old earth is in your gentle hands'
 	-Thomas Dolby, "The Flat Earth"