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Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 10-15-2007, 01:52 PM   #1
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Default electricity

here's one for the books. . . I am a girl with hair that normally i don't even think about. . . but I will be needing to look a bit more presentable than my normal backpacking travels this trip, as I am meeting up with new people/contacts (family/potential clients/etc.) all over england. I guess I'll bring a hair dryer and a flat iron to do my hair with, but my question is, am I going to be blowing fuses left and right!? I know the US tends to really suck down energy, so what seems normal here may be a little too much for a little wall socket in the UK. any thoughts on what a girl is to do to keep her upkeep easy and safe?
thanks
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Old 10-15-2007, 02:09 PM   #2
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oh wow, I just always thought that a power converter would do the trick?
Maybe to be on the safe side you could just pick up a new dryer and straightner across the pond?
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Old 10-15-2007, 02:16 PM   #3
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I was going to suggest what Jake said. Over here, you can pick up a real cheapie hair dryer for a fiver ($10) and straighteners for a tenner ($20 or so) - in fact, you could probably get them even cheaper. I have hair straighteners that I bought for £8 when I somehow blew the fuse on my decent set. I was poor, so bought these cheap ones, and they do as good a job as any I've had before.
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Old 10-15-2007, 06:08 PM   #4
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If you looove your set, here's an explanation of UK's electricity:

Quote:
United Kingdom230 V*50 Hz

*Outlets typically controlled by adjacent switch.
Though nominal voltage has been officially changed to 230 V, 240 V is within tolerances and commonly found


I bought an adapter on the airplane on my way there. But I'm from Argentina and we use the same electricity as in Europe. You might need a converter as well.

Hope that helped!!
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Old 09-15-2009, 10:33 AM   #5
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Default Yes this is an old post post...

Yes this is an old post but maybe someone have the same question.

You should just buy a new hairdryer upon arrival; our hairdryers pull between 1200 to 1600 Watts. A UK power converter, (most of the small ones travelers buy) are only good for a 200 watts with a 400 watt spike, you will destroy your power converter.

Though if you must use YOUR Blow dryer, here is a site with several http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/light-duty-voltage-converter.html#vm1875-lightdutystepdownvoltageconverter50w-1875watts though I cannot vouch for the quality,

I recommend buying a new hair dryer.
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Old 09-15-2009, 11:14 AM   #6
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They also make cheap travel hairdryers that have two power settings. I brought one with me two years ago and I just switched it over and it's been fine. My normal hairdryers havent even lasted that long before!

I picked on up at Walgreens or CVS. So check it out, I think it was like 15 bucks and I take it everywhere cause it folds up. Also, my hair straightener lasted less time, but it still worked for about 6 months of being there so I didnt know if it was the power thing or just wear and tear. But now, they make ones without cords! Fascinating!
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