international power strip?

maybe…http://www.international-electrical-supplies.com/powerprotector.html

convert all your plugs to the same type. Get yourself either a plugboard or a multiple plug adaptor that suits. Then get one international plug adaptor (i saw a nice on in Muji.com recently).

What about changing the voltage?

it’s not so much a voltage issues as an outlet availability issue. it would be nice to have something to plug everything else into, regardless of it being a local desk lamp, or my battery chargers. Thanks for the link Gregory. That’s exactly what I am looking for. I’m in delhi, people say I get get those Chinese made for @2 in the market. we’ll give it a go tomorrow…

Hmmm…Looks like I’m good for something. Please tell my wife! :):):)

I’m sure she keeps you around for a reason, Gregory. ;)

Greg, you’re also a good drinking partner for a guy who wanders into NYC on occasion, so I consider you good for at least one other thing!

Ida, the strip Greg references is exactly what we used in Mongolia, where they were widely available in the hardware market (the hardware market is a whole story in itself). these strips are of critical importance there because in that country you find plugs and appliances from everywhere and need just this sort of thing. But I’d be very surprised if you cannot also find it in Delhi or other cities in India.

HICCUP!!! :)

Thanks Neal. I haven’t made it to the market yet. I’m still at a friend’s place with plenty of outlets. Maybe I’ll bring my camera along when I do. I remember we chatted last time I was on my way to Darjeeling two years ago. I’m glad to be heading back. It’s so lovely there, and all the more exciting with the political upset. I leave for there on Friday.

You lucky person! I’m sure you’ll get some great shooting opportunities. Ah, to be in India….

Those strips are available all over China, too. Pretty dang useful. A couple of bucks will get you one with 5 or 6 spots for plugs.

I know this is old already. I wanted to report on my success. Found one in a hardware store for about $3. It’s Chinese. Thanks everyone!

Hey, it’s a cool color too!

Tell the owner to go into business online and he can sell hundreds to North American/European photogs at western prices!

Greg Sharko will be his agent!

Totally. I’ll pass the message on. If only shipping out of Darjeeling were reliable these days…

Hey Ida – who’s the maker of that? I would love to get my hands on one.

The sort of power strip that Ida posted a picture of is available pretty much everywhere in the developing world. They work, but are usually badly made and don’t last for that long as the metal contacts inside tend to get bent after a while, but then again they are cheap so you can just buy another.
The best quality in my experience are those made by WonPro but they aren’t so easy to find. Some of the models come with handy detachable power cords too. Here’s a link for you US people:

http://www.europlugs.com/Design_Review_Polices/Detachable%20Power%20Strips.htm

Regards,

Ben

This unit looks nice, but be aware that the WonPro US distributor hides a lot of profit in its shipping and handling charges. The unit and cord only costs about $40 but the shipping (at least to my current rural location on the East coast of the US) was almost $20, which a code they supplied (fedex.home) reduced to about $16.

still don t understand the logic in using a unit like this…
if you had a smaller, more compact, regular, cheaper, available plugboard with all sockets being of the same US/UK/EU/China/Indian style (so as to match your laptop, phone, battery charger and hair curler). Then the single plug on the plugboard only needs one small single adaptor for all your hotel rooms and airports sockets… are am i just being stoopid here?

I’m just trying to find a solution that won’t make my laptop explode when I’m in Ghana next month.

Con, you’re right that you could do that and it’d save on things to carry around a bit, but in my experience most of the power strips I’ve had haven’t accommodated the range of voltages necessary for international travel. On top of that, there’s often the possibility that you’ll have something you need to plug in that you buy at your destination (cell phone, perhaps) that wouldn’t fit your home-country powerstrip. And sometimes there’s stuff that you can’t plan for. My laptop power supply went bad a few months ago and I had to buy a replacement here in China. No problem finding the part, but would be difficult to get the US-style plug that I’d had previously.

Hi everyone. Was off line for a week…

The maker of the one I have is Gaojiduokaiguanzuhechazuo. No, really.

As Ben said, the device is pretty cheap, and I expect it to last the duration of this trip (several months) and not much more. Most of my important devices (laptop cable, battery chargers) have voltage converters built in, so I don’t need the power strip itself to convert voltage.

M. Scott nailed the reason for having this. I have devices with three different plug styles and voltage needs. It helps to be able to plug them in all at once, rather than rotate out of one plug that is usually available in the rooms I stay in.