Buying online from a US site

derbyjo

The £2 adaptor that was mentioned, I have just bought from a US supplier and it was much cheaper but I hadn't considered the battery charger. Can I use a cheapo adapter from Argos or do I need something more substantial? Are the voltages different?

George_Bray

The £2 adaptor that was mentioned, I have just bought from a US supplier and it was much cheaper but I hadn't considered the battery charger. Can I use a cheapo adapter from Argos or do I need something more substantial? Are the voltages different?

Say the USA unit needs 12 volt, from 110v 60Hz in the USA.

You need an adaptor that supplies 12 volt from 230v 50Hz in the UK. i.e. any good 12v adapter from Argos. But there are two important points: (1) the current rating, e.g. 500ma must be the same or higher than specified for the piece of kit (2) some items (a minority) require a 'high quality' regulator for ultra smooth power. See also maplin.co.uk

bcl999

I just bought a camera from US. The battery charger for mine works on anything from 110v to 240v - I think most will be similar. The only thing I had to buy was either a US to UK plug adaptor or a new "figure of 8" lead. The adaptors are about £4 so I bought the lead (from Maplin, was £1.29 in-store)though I had to fit my own UK plug.

In retrospect, I think maybe I could have just cut off the US 2-prong plug and fitted a UK plug to the original lead. Not sure.

Hope this helps.

BTW, it took a full fortnight to come via USPS registered.

ian_mitchell_2

If it's over £18 expect to pay 22.5% tax (17.5% VAT + 5% excise duty), but saying that exchange rates are very good.

derbyjo

Thanks, went to Maplins and they checked it for me and I was able to get a Uk lead and plug for £2.99. So I am the proud owner of an Olympus C5000 with underwater housing for the same price that the camera would have cost.