electricity in bonaire

[jfproul]

I've seen somewhere that electricity in bonaire is 127-128 volts 50 hertz and
they were saying that it could be dangerous for delicate electronic stuff ...is that
right ? heading there in april and i am a bit worry about digital cam + laptop etc...

any input ?

 

[txdano]

Look at your chargers/power adapters and make sure the label shows that they handle both 50/60 hz and the voltage range. I have not had any problems with any of my equipment (laptop, camera chargers, mp3 etc). Surge protection is recommended though, seen some spikes and blackouts.

 

[herman]

So far I have had no problems with several battery charges I use. Look at your equipment. Today a lot of it is rated for 50/60 hz 110-220v. If so, you have no problems. You will NOT need plug adapters, most every place has US style outlets. One good idea is to take a small power strip with surge protection built in. Some places have limited outlets. If you have a lot of chargers you can run out of places to plug them in.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Also take some of the three-prong to two-prong adapters if you have cords with three prongs. Most of the outlets do not have grounding plugs. A 60 cycle 120 volt appliance will not survive the week.

 

[Allspread Grapealo]

I've seen somewhere that electricity in bonaire is 127-128 volts 50 hertz and
they were saying that it could be dangerous for delicate electronic stuff ...is that
right ? heading there in april and i am a bit worry about digital cam + laptop etc...

any input ?

Just read the labeling. Many consumer electronic devices like laptops will be fine. It probably says something like 110-220 VAC 50/60 Hz input on the little switching power supply that comes with it. They are designed specifically for various voltages and tolerate voltage swings nicely. Same with camcorders. Don't bring anything that says 120 VAC 60 Hz to plug in and you'll be fine.

You might think about a surge protection power strip. Electricity can be unreliable (not specifically Bonaire, the Caribbean in general) and if you get a brownout followed by a voltage spike on reconnect you'll be mighty happy you had a surge protected power strip between your thingy and the wall.

 

[TheWizard]

My electric shaver burned out on my last Bonaire trip. It would no longer charge after I got home

 

[rakay]

What should we get so we can use a 120v/60hz appliance? A voltage regulator?

If so , where do you get one? On Bonaire or in the US?

 

[dvrliz1]

rakay,

You can use your 120v/60hz appliances here on Bonaire. They will run a little hotter. You will not want to charge them for any longer than 3 hours. If you are bringing a blow dryer, you will not want to run it on high, it will overheat and shut itself off. I highly recommend that you bring a surge protector though. We do have a tendency to have brown outs and surges and the surge will definitely destroy any appliance plugged in. I speak from experience.

Liz