Trip to Ireland

[leadduck]

I'm planning on taking a trip to Ireland soon and I'll be taking my digital camera (Nikon D300). I'm wondering if I'll be able to use my battery charger or any other electrical device for that matter, without some kind of adapter. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[BobH]

You will need at least a plug adaptor, UK style, and possibly a converter to step down the voltage to 110.

Visit Ireland - Planning Your Trip: Electricity

IIRC the Nikon battery charger for the D300 has a built in converter the automatically steps the power down to 110 volts. I would check your battery charger manual just to be sure though.

It wouldn't hurt to take a converter anyway to be on the safe side.

Bob

[Willisf]

I agree with what Bob said. When we went to South Korea last summer, we needed a converter. We had a couple different ones. The outlets are different from ours and the voltage is too. On electronic items it will state what voltage a device will take without messing it up. Usually most modern devices are universal in the volts it can handle and all you need is the plug adapter and not a voltage regulator. The adapters are cheaper in cost than the latter.

[Phoenix51]

Been there. You will definitely need a converter plug adapter

[71L]

I fly to Europe at least once a year. In Ireland you'll find primarily "Type G" sockets:



which are the United Kingdom standard, however some of the more touristy hotels also have "Type F" sockets:



which are the European standard, for the convenience of tourists from mainland Europe.

Most of your more modern electronics, including the Nikon D3000 charger, will accept the variations in voltage and you simply need the adaptor and not a voltage regulator, however to make sure, look at your charger and the "fine print" on it should specifically say Input: AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz.
If the charger doesn't say that on it DO NOT plug it in without a voltage regulator (usually, more expensive, heavier, and more prone to failure). Again, your OEM charger that came with the D3000 should be fine, but if you've bought any aftermarket charger make absolutely sure first.

I have a couple of these and they've worked flawlessly for several trips/years:
http://www.amazon.com/Worldwide-Upgr...+power+adaptor

the added benefit is that you can plug 2 USB cables to it (for your cell phone, etc) without needing an additional adaptor for its actual plug (modern Apple & Samsung plugs are also 100-220V, which is amazing for how small they are).

Check everything you'll be taking and if all your electronics say they accept 100-220V then don't bother to buy/take a voltage regulator (I have several here and at my parents' home in Portugal now collecting dust because almost everything now accepts the voltage variations).

If you forget your adaptors, all international airports are well stocked with them (highly overpriced, though) and most hotels will also have some (again, highly overpriced).

One BIG tip though... make sure your camera battery is charged when you get to the airport for your trip back. At the security checkpoint some guards will make you turn DSLR cameras on to show it isn't a bomb in disguise and you wouldn't believe the number of people that have to get out of line, fish out their chargers and plug their cameras in for long enough to show the guard it powers up and is a normal camera.

[leadduck]

Thanks much to all who responded.

[71L]

No problem. Enjoy your trip to Ireland! I loved it last time I went!

FIL