Hacking Charging a N. American DS in Australia

[atthedrivein81]

Hey everybody.

I'm taking a trip to Australia in the near future, and had a question about charging my DS while I'm down there.

I've purchased a Samsonite convertor/adaptor plug kit that includes a 50-1600 watt converter that adapts the 220/240 volt output of an Australian outlet to the North American 110/120 volt output. I thought all would be well.

However, as I read through the instructions, it specifically advises against using this with electronics and rechargeable batteries. Nintendo.com advises using a step up(step down?) transformer for this purpose. Does anyone have any insight into this? I can return the Samsonite adaptor no problem if I need to.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks a lot, you've all helped me so well in the past. I really appreciate it.

Cheers!

 

[Dirtie]

You should be fine, I think they might just be using it to cover their asses. The only thing I could think of is that the output wattage might be too high or something, although I'm probably just talking out of my ass.

By the way, what you have sounds exactly like a step-down transformer to me

 

[sixb0nes]

You're better off buying the official Australian Nintendo DS Charger, since using those converters is just asking for your place to burn down in a fiery sexy blaze

 

[atthedrivein81]

You're better off buying the official Australian Nintendo DS Charger, since using those converters is just asking for your place to burn down in a fiery sexy blaze

Are they easy to find? I have an original DS, not a Lite. This has so far made trying to find accessories a serious pain in the ass at brick and mortar stores.

 

[Mike Hawk]

Hey everybody.Â

I'm taking a trip to Australia in the near future, and had a question about charging my DS while I'm down there.Â

I've purchased a Samsonite convertor/adaptor plug kit that includes a 50-1600 watt converter that adapts the 220/240 volt output of an Australian outlet to the North American 110/120 volt output. I thought all would be well.Â

However, as I read through the instructions, it specifically advises against using this with electronics and rechargeable batteries. Nintendo.com advises using a step up(step down?) transformer for this purpose. Does anyone have any insight into this? I can return the Samsonite adaptor no problem if I need to.

Anyone have any suggestions?Â

Thanks a lot, you've all helped me so well in the past. I really appreciate it.

Cheers!Â

watch-out for scorpions and killer ants.

 

[friedchicken]

i was in vietnam. similar situation. luckily, family there got a 220v ->110v converter. worked fine for me. i dont think it was as high tech as yours but it does the job. it was an old old old old transformer. emphasis on the ghetto-ness of it. if that makes you feel any better =/

 

[fischju_original]

you can buy all in one overseas converters, they are pretty cheap and work with everything

 

[atthedrivein81]

you can buy all in one overseas converters, they are pretty cheap and work with everything

Which is what I think I have. I was just put off by its warning to NOT use it with electronics. I just can't understand why, since its a 1600w converter, and it recommends using a 50w converter instead...

I think I'll give it a go though. What do I have to lose but my sanity, and that went on vacation long before I planned on going myself.

Thanks for all the help! Great community here.

 

[serious_sean]

careful not to fry yourself like that one kid hahahahaha.

seriously though, that's not cool.

 

[lurker]

The easiest and safest method is to get down here (Australia) and buying a GBASP/DS Phat charger at a store such as EB or Games Wizards.

 

[shaunj66]

Just get a USB charging cable. Easiest solution.

 

[atthedrivein81]

Just get a USB charging cable. Easiest solution.

Yes, but I'd be missing one key element... a usb port. I'll be without a stable computer for a long time.

 

[shaunj66]

Just get a USB charging cable. Easiest solution.


Yes, but I'd be missing one key element... a usb port. I'll be without a stable computer for a long time.

Get a USB hub too then.

 

[atthedrivein81]

watch-out for scorpions and killer ants.

and that's just on the plane down there...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070110/ap_on_...pion_on_a_plane

 

[atthedrivein81]

Just get a USB charging cable. Easiest solution.


Yes, but I'd be missing one key element... a usb port. I'll be without a stable computer for a long time.

Get a USB hub too then.

Won't I need to power that action from a computer or a wall outlet anyways?

Wait - buy one down there. Duh.

 

[sixb0nes]

EB sells DS Lite chargers for like $5 AUD
It will be a lot more easy just to get that instead of fooling around with USB chargers and hubs and whatnot

 

[Dirtie]

I got two spare GBA SP chargers that I don't use (they fit in old DS), maybe I could send you one

 

[atthedrivein81]

EB sells DS Lite chargers for like $5 AUD
It will be a lot more easy just to get that instead of fooling around with USB chargers and hubs and whatnot

Great, thanks for the heads up. Soooooo... can I crash on your couch?