US plug? UPDATE, ITS ARRIVED

MrsE_2

I've just bought this

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=261213214824

As you can see it has a US (I think) style plug socket.

Can I put a UK plug on it when it arrives? Or do I have to buy a holiday type of socket converter? I have a special twin socket in the bathroom for toothbrushes, but the prongs are round.

withabix

Is it dual voltage?

If it is, just change the plug.

MrsE_2

http://www.clarisonic.com/customer_care/user_guides/

withabix wrote: »

Is it dual voltage?

If it is, just change the plug.

Not mentioned...

Avoriaz

EDIT: Ignore the following as it appears not to be a universal charger.

According to google, these are supplied with a universal voltage charger.

Check the sticker or engraving on the charger unit. It should say something like

100 - 250 volts 50/60 hertz XXwatts

XX is the wattage, probably between 10 to 50 but maybe more.

It might be marked with amps (A) or milli amps (mA) instead of watts.

In that case expect something like 0.5A or 500mA or 0.8A or 800mA

If it does then you can either cut the plug off and attach a UK plug (ignore the earth terminal in the plug as this device is not earthed) or use it with a suitable adapter.

Those twin sockets in bathrooms are usually for shavers. Make sure that yours is rated for the wattage requirements of the Clarisonic. I doubt if it will draw more than an electric razor but do check.

MrsE_2

tuggy12 wrote: »

From the manual in the link you provided:

DOMESTIC CHARGER
for use in the US and Canada
Compatible with 120 Volts AC/60Hz outlets

So, unfortunately, not suitable for UK voltage

In my first link their are photos, photo 3 has the bottom of the unit.
Think it says 120.
I could use it in the uk with a holiday plug?

Myser

You will need to buy a step-down transformer like this to use it in the UK:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/100w-uk-to-usa-voltage-convertor-31899

As tuggy12 says, do not connect it directly to UK mains otherwise it'll go pop/bang!

You cannot use a travel adaptor as it does not step-down the voltage. UK is 230V, USA is 120V.

southcoastrgi

but just fitting a normal plug means it won't be earthed, (sorry missed the 120v bit while i was typing, so that makes it even worse unless you have a duel voltage shaver socket in your house) plus that one doesn't have a brush head meaning you will have to spend another £18-75 + p&p to get one (amazon price), i don't know how much the p&p was to get it from the states but you may also get hammered for import duty

you might have been better getting this
unless you really wanted a second hand pink one that will cost more to send back than it cost if it doesn't work

Avoriaz

MrsE wrote: »

In my first link their are photos, photo 3 has the bottom of the unit.
Think it says 120.
I could use it in the uk with a holiday plug?

No, no, no.

If it is not a universal charger whatever you do don't plug it into UK mains.

It will probably instantly ruin the charger and may catch fire as our voltage is twice US voltage.

Those holiday plugs allow physically different plugs to be used in Europe where 230 volts is standard. They do not change the voltage.

MrsE_2

southcoastrgi wrote: »

but just fitting a normal plug means it won't be earthed, (sorry missed the 120v bit while i was typing, so that makes it even worse unless you have a duel voltage shaver socket in your house) plus that one doesn't have a brush head meaning you will have to spend another £18-75 + p&p to get one (amazon price), i don't know how much the p&p was to get it from the states but you may also get hammered for import duty

you might have been better getting this
unless you really wanted a second hand pink one that will cost more to send back than it cost if it doesn't work

Ive bought 2 (genuine) brush heads for £30.60. So with the cost plus one brush head its £52.
I didnt see that one this morning, but ebay is overran with Chinese fakes & for that price chances are that is one.

MrsE_2

The socket in my bathroom is 115 & 230
There are 2.
So if it had the right plug, it would work in that.

southcoastrgi

MrsE wrote: »

I didnt see that one this morning, but ebay is overran with Chinese fakes & for that price chances are that is one.

only purely because i'm interested, not taking the mick or anything like that,

i agree that there is alot of fake stuff on ebay, but why do you think there is any difference between a 2nd hand one with no head from the states for £26 + p&p (& poss import duty) would be any less fake than the one i linked to for £40 + p&p which although it doesn't say i presume is suitable for use here ?

you are now left with a item that poss doesn't work, it poss won't work without a transformer (if it's not duel voltage), & is really not cost effective to send back across the pond