power adaptor advice please

[kotatsuneko]

hey, well i gots a scanner on the way here from the uk, i know it only uses 15 volts, and here i got a net md walkman which uses even less

i popped into bic camera the other day to see if i needed a step down to use uk goods here, but the staff looked at about 3 brochures then announced, typical bic staff, that they had no idea..

i had a chat to someone from epson uks staff, who didnt seem to give a shit really, and they said all i`d need is a travel adaptor for the scanner to work

anyone know if this sounds right? or have any experience with this kind of thing? it`d be much appreciated..

think i`ll try yodobashi next time, or maybe best denki, but the latter seem more expensive.. but would like to go in with some knowledge first as u seem to have to go thru HELL to get anything exchanged or heaven forbid a REFUND here...

[rmpfreeman]

Well. Firstly let's see a link for the scanner if you have it.

If you are up in Sapporo then the cycles (50) is the same as the UK so that's ok. If it only draws 15 volts then you are ok again. What's the plug like three or two, might need a travel adapter.

High chance that it will work ok.

[kotatsuneko]

its an epson perfection 1250 scanner, 3 pin uk plug, 15.2 volts

more than a year old so doubt its on their site anymore, the md player only uses something like 9 volts or something..

thanks for the advice!

off to north hokkaido now, haburo to be precise, for a long weekend.. fingers crossed the weather will be as good as today!

[gpvillamil]

Well, what you get depends on how much simpler you want to make your life. If the scanner has an external power supply, look at the input voltage. If it says something like "100-220 volt, 50-60 hz" then all you need is a plug adapter, from UK to Japan. If it says something like "200-220 volt, 50 hz" then you need a transformer.

Alternatively, you could just replace the entire power "brick" entirely, there are shops in Akihabara that sell only these. Make sure you match: the size of the DC plug, the polarity (+ or -) of the plug, and the output voltage. Most of the after-market power supplies let you change the polarity easily.

Whether you replace the brick or buy a transformer, you also need to look at the amperage, not just the voltage. Amperage measures the total load. Make sure your transformer or new power "brick" has at least the amperage of the existing power supply - it's OK to exceed it, it will just run cooler.

[GomiGirl]

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't most transformers on the end of electrical devices multi-voltage these days, so all you need is the $5 plug adapter. Check to see if is a 110-240V jobbie and you should be fine.

[kotatsuneko]

hey thanks for the advice, got a 800 yen uk/jap one and ....

no luck, no power on the mini disc at all

wish me luck in bic camera trying to exchange it, they are the most awkward and rudest ppl i know, worse than yodobashi..

does anyone know of a electric shop which is cheap and the staff NICE?

pls pls do tell!

[gpvillamil]

What did you actually buy for 800 yen? Is it a transformer (Japanese current in at 100 volts, UK current out at 220 volts)? Is it a plug adapter (no changes to current - only physically adapts the plug)? Is it a new power supply (Japanese AC in, DC out)?

I'm guessing plug adapter, at that price. You're plugging the UK power supply into the adapter, then plugging that into the wall socket? Well, you need to look at the power supply for the MD and see what it has as the input current - does it say "100-240 volt, 50-60hz" or does it say "200-240, 50hz"?

If it is the former, then a plug adapter should be OK. If it is the latter, then you need something more.

If you've in fact bought a transformer or power supply, make sure the AMPERAGE is adequate. It will say things like 500ma (= 500 milliamps) or 1A (= 1 ampere = 1000 milliamps). You should buy something with AT LEAST the amperage required by your device, if not more. Naturally, the input/output voltages should match exactly.

There is a shop I use in Akihabara specializing in components, including transformers and power supplies. Go to Azobit City, cross the main street and go down the street directly across from it. On the second corner on the right is an electronics shop with a yellow sign, red & blue writing. They usually have a big display of network cables outside. They carry a full range of plug adapters, power supplies, transformers, etc. Take your UK power supply and/or your MD player with you.

[kotatsuneko]

tried gomi girls advice, well was half asleep when going out and *didnt* check the psu first, so was my own stupid fault...

think my scanner one would be fine, but thats still in the uk.. mini disc one def wasnt

so next up was gpvillamil's advice, which went fine..

brought md psu and the 800 yen jobbie back to bic, amazingly there was some guy who knew what i needed , tho the solution there was convoluted and eventually i ended up with:

the 800 yen jobbie which just converts plug sizes

a 2800 yen power convertor jobbie meant to be used in countries where the pins are round it looks like

a 200 yen jobbie to convert the power convertors pins to japanese pins!

looks rather dodgy to say the least, but the md runs fine, no excess heat or burning smells, so finally i get to use my net md for the first time and i`m rather happy!

i printed out gpvillamil's post and also bable fished it and they guy said def no problem with the scanner also.. and gave me his meishi in case i had any issues and he would deal with it.. very nice!

thanks a lot dude for the shop reccomendation, but i`m up in sapporo, not tokyo..and thanks for the excellent advice! i really appreciate it!!