electric adaptors

[tood ling]

thinking of getting new laptop before we move over to thailand. i noticed there are at least 2 different wall outlets. are electric adaptors readily available for thai to u.s. products

[chopsticks]

Monkey B,
Adaptors to change the shape of plug pins are readily available but remember that the voltage of 230V may be different to USA (110/120V).

If your appliances are rated at 110/120V you will need to make of use voltage transformers which will be expensive for high power usage appliances and less readily available than the simple plug pin adaptors which do not step-down the voltage.

You will probably be better off buying new rather than bringing over the wrong voltage appliances.
A laptop power supply will probably work however, but only if rated at 110-230V as are the switch mode power supplies now commonly used on such electronic items.

[tood ling]

thanks for the reply and translation. going to sell off what we can before we make the move to thailand but i thought electronics are expensive over there. am i thinking the right way or making a mistake

[chopsticks]

Most of the cheaper ranges and unknown-brand products are now competitively priced.
Savings can be made though if you are comparing to the more expensive higher quality items and think it's going to be worth the effort and shipping costs. Beware of possible import taxes and custom duties though.

[PeteC]

If you're just talking about a laptop, they'll be less expensive in the USA. They're made for travel and will work on any voltage system with the built in transformer on the power cord. As for adapters, go to Radio Shack before you leave and you can buy a set with about half dozen most common shapes for about $20 or less. You'll find here that most three prong/blade wall sockets in newer buildings can also accommodate the standard USA 2 blade without using an adapter. Pete

[PeteC]

Here we go. I found a photo of a universal outlet. This is the type you'll now see in many places and it can take just about anything. They were installed in my house as standard about 4 years ago, and I've seen them in many hotels here. Pete

es.jpg (26.13 KiB) Viewed 1219 times

[chopsticks]

Interesting photo of a universal fixed socket outlet but appears to be unshuttered ? shutters help to make them a lot safer to accidental contact.

In more common use are the sockets,plugs and adaptors described and shown here :

http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/plugs.html

[PeteC]

You don't need to visit Radio Shack, you can buy adapters on-line. Scan down the below page and you'll see a set for $12.99, as well as the all in one universal types. Pete

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index. ... Id=2818337

[PeteC]

Yes, the photo I posted isn't exactly what I have. Mine don't have those two little holes at centre bottom or the small hole at centre top. No idea what they're for. Pete

[moja]

You can buy adaptors all over the place here and they are inexpensive. Tesco, Home Pro, Villa Market, 7/11 all stock them.

[chopsticks]

You can buy adaptors all over the place here and they are inexpensive. Tesco, Home Pro, Villa Market, 7/11 all stock them.

No need to pay high inflated prices from Radio Shack, $10 for an adaptor that will cost you $1-2 locally.

[tood ling]

thanks all for the info. looking around thiers not many electronic things that we will take with us. digital camera my sons ds lite, a couple oral-bs maybe a lap top. maybe more who knows.

[brianks]

Watch out for the Oral B toothbrush. Make sure it is 110-230v or you will fry it like my wife did when she mistakenly plugged my Sonicare directly into the power instead of converter. Best to just liquidate all except computer and start anew here. Who needs all the baggage and junk when you get here and discover it won't work.

[hhfarang]

All the wall sockets in my house and most I've seen elsewhere are the same as in the U.S.... no adapter required.