Laptop power cord while in Africa

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Hi all,

I figured someone here might be able to help me. If I take my laptop to Africa when I visit where do I find a power cord that will work for charging the battery? I can't find an answer on the Dell site for ANYTHING!!! I do have the travel converters but are those powerful enough and safe enough to run a computer? They got quite hot just charging my cell phone.

TIA

[dimanuni 1]

Not sure what the current is in Senegal, but I lived in Morocco (also a former French colony, so maybe similar to Senegal?) and just used the little adapter thing which changes the shape of the prongs (the kind you buy at RadioShack or wherever). Most computers and ipods nowdays self - convert, so you don't need anything fancy. Just change the prongs with the adapter thing (I can never remember which is an adapter and which is a converter/transformer, I mean you just need the simple, cheap thing). When you get there, you may want to invest in a surge protector, because the electricity can go on and off a lot in Africa. But I found these difficult to find and expensive in morocco (like $30 or more), so if you won't be there a long time, I'd just risk it and not buy one.

Hope that helps!

[payxibka 10,044]

Hi all,

I figured someone here might be able to help me. If I take my laptop to Africa when I visit where do I find a power cord that will work for charging the battery? I can't find an answer on the Dell site for ANYTHING!!! I do have the travel converters but are those powerful enough and safe enough to run a computer? They got quite hot just charging my cell phone.

TIA

a laptop runs on 12 volts DC... the power adapter converts 120 60 MHZ/240 50 MHZ AC to 12 Volt DC... So if the current is that (which it should be) as long as you can plug it in then you are fine

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Thanks! Will those work well long term also - say if I leave it there with him?

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

For your laptop all you should need is a plug adapter. It should run off either voltage . If you look at the box in the middle it should have markings for 110-240 v If so just buy and adapter

adapter site

For other things you might need a voltage converter.

[Naijabound 1]

I left my laptop with my fiance when I went last September to Nigeria and he is using it with a adapter that I brought.

[Zee Bee 61]

For your laptop all you should need is a plug adapter. It should run off either voltage . If you look at the box in the middle it should have markings for 110-240 v If so just buy and adapter

adapter site

For other things you might need a voltage converter.

This is what we do

[We_Destiny 1]

Also, becasue a laptop stores the power on the battery, it is usually not affected by power surges or power (generator) cutting on and off like a desktop. You can use an adapter purchased in U S or a surge protector purchased in Nigeria that has the proper plug. Or if you layover in in Europe buy the proper connecting cord. The cord coming from the computer with the box attached remains the same only the cord that goes into the socket changes, and can be purchased at the airport or on line. This is the surge protector I use.

I hope this helps.

http://international-electrical-supplies.c...geprotect3.html

[a&o 4]

If you want to make the adapter last (and the computer power supply), I would recommend a voltage regulator. I worked in IT in Ghana for a long time and computers have a short life if they are subjected to the ups and downs of the voltage...it's just not as steady there (in Ghana, anyway, and I would assume other parts of West Africa). All the internet cafes and offices use them to protect their machines, plus heavy duty surge protectors. All of this equipment was readily available in Accra and not too expensive.

[chispas 0]

If you want to make the adapter last (and the computer power supply), I would recommend a voltage regulator. I worked in IT in Ghana for a long time and computers have a short life if they are subjected to the ups and downs of the voltage...it's just not as steady there (in Ghana, anyway, and I would assume other parts of West Africa). All the internet cafes and offices use them to protect their machines, plus heavy duty surge protectors. All of this equipment was readily available in Accra and not too expensive.

This is what was recommended when I went to Africa for the same reason.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Thank you all VERY much!

[dimanuni 1]

D'oh! I wish I'd known that before I spent 300+ dirhams on a surge protector!! Well, you live and you learn!

Also, becasue a laptop stores the power on the battery, it is usually not affected by power surges or power (generator) cutting on and off like a desktop. You can use an adapter purchased in U S or a surge protector purchased in Nigeria that has the proper plug. Or if you layover in in Europe buy the proper connecting cord. The cord coming from the computer with the box attached remains the same only the cord that goes into the socket changes, and can be purchased at the airport or on line. This is the surge protector I use.

I hope this helps.

http://international-electrical-supplies.c...geprotect3.html

[Ephantus'nJenny 0]

I bought a power converter at London airport for $10 and lost it soon after, then bought a real cheap one in a market in Nairobi and it worked well.