Electricity in Bonaire

[sillygrendel]

Anyone know exactlly what the deal is with electricity in Bonaire? From what I gather its different from the US but at some places compatable in some ways...

The only thing I really need to run is the battery charger for my light! (Its just way too much fun to leave at home)

I hear it'll cost $50-100 for a transformer to do the conversion. I _almost_ may as well buy a new charger -- its a NiMH battery.

Mmmm... Warm, clear water...

Matt

 

[notabob]

In Bonaire the juice is 127V@50hz vs 110 @60hz in US. Your charger will probably work, although it may get a bit hotter and take longer to charge than usual. Most outlets are the same as in US, but you should be able to pick up on the island if the ones in your room don't match.

-Roman.

 

[raxafarian]

Roman is correct...but I wouldn't plug anything electronic in unless it's rated for the voltage/freq. A lot of adapters and chargers are rated for a wide range of voltages, but if it only says 110V/60Hz you might not want to chance it. My laptop adapter states 110-240v 50-60hz. My ikelite charger the same.

Most dive shops have a charging station setup.... try and find one of them if your adapter isn't rated for 127/50hz. Some hotels have transformers they will give you, but that just lowers the voltage....doesn't do anything for the freq.

I wouldn't worry about hairdryers or anything like that....but I would want to make sure that anything expensive/electronic can handle the different volt./freq.

 

[sillygrendel]

I took a look at the charger and it isn't rated for 127@50.

But... It uses an ACDC converter. (120@60 -> 18V, 800ma) It may be cheaper to pick up one of those. (I know I picked up a univeral one when I was in Australia, and don't remember it being too expensive)

Thanks,
Matt

 

[jepuskar]

Yeah, you definetly dont wanna use that one on Bonaire without some kinda of converter/transformer. They make it very clear that the power on Bonaire fluctuates so the more protection you have, the better..kinda like ___!