Electricity Question

Hi Janet
Am an Aussie living in Canada
Just about every department store in Aus sells the same alkaline
rechargeable battery kit with a 240V charger and 4/8 batteries
Grandcell is one brandname.
brought my batteries with me, and brought a WalMart "Pure Energy" charger
kit, now have twice as many batteries and a charger for each continent, $20

watch for dropbears

--
If at first you dont succeed
try try try again
If at first you do succeed
try not to look surprised

_
"Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:46f32b6f$0$26370$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> John H wrote:
> > Further to my original reply to Janet,
> > Now that you state that the unit has a single voltage input of 120 volts
> > 60Hz & consumption of 13w.
> > Then I make the following suggestion.
> > The majority (but not all) of our hotels have a multi country plug
accepted
> > 110v power outlet
> > in their bathrooms/shower area etc.
> >
> > This outlet is for low wattage appliances only.
> >
> > This outlet is normally for shavers, but the small wattage (13W) of your
> > battery charger should be
> > OK for using that plug, as most electric shavers are in excess of that
> > wattage.
> >
> > It sounds like you are bringing the unit anyway for whilst you are on a
> > cruise,
> > so try it in the hotel outlet. (assuming you are using hotels in Aust.)
>
> I will take the little battery charger with me. I'm also packing several
> changes of non-rechargeable batteries. The camera uses 4 AA batteries. I
> don't know if they sell the same kind of AA batteries in Australia so
> I'll just bring my own along. This is my first trip outside of North
> America that I was not journeying on a cruise ship. I know the
> electricity in Canada and Mexico would work, but Australia is a
> different continent <g>
>
> I did check the web sites of the 3 hotels we will be staying at and none
> of them gave any information about electricity. They seem to be pretty
> upscale establishments. In Sydney it's the Grace Hotel, at Ayers Rock
> it's Desert Gardens Hotel and at Cairns it's Mantra Treetops Resort.
> There is lots of information about amenities but nothing about
electricity.
>
> PS: I can't wait to fill the tub and watch the water circle the drain in
> the opposite direction <g>
>
> With deepest appreciation for all y'all's assistance,
>
> Janet
>
> --
> Janet Wilder
> Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
> Good Friends. Good Life
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AlmostBob wrote:
> Hi Janet
> Am an Aussie living in Canada
> Just about every department store in Aus sells the same alkaline
> rechargeable battery kit with a 240V charger and 4/8 batteries
> Grandcell is one brandname.
> brought my batteries with me, and brought a WalMart "Pure Energy" charger
> kit, now have twice as many batteries and a charger for each continent, $20
>
> watch for dropbears
>

thanks, what's a "dropbear"

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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texan....usenet.TakeThisOut@texas...removethisbit...usacom.. wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:53:16 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <kelliepoodle.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> While I truly appreciate the help, I'm afraid I'm lost. I can use
>> regular over-the-counter AA batteries. The rechargeable ones are AA
>> batteries, too. I'm just going to take some extra AAs with me to last
>> through the 5 day trip to Ayers Rock and Cairns. I'm even thinking of a
>> disposable underwater camera for the Reef and that should spare my
>> batteries even more.
>>
>> This will be my first and probably last trip to Australia and New
>> Zealand. This old grandma can't take the long plane flights for more
>> than one trip. <g> So I'm not about to spend on an adapter that I can
>> only use once. I don't do e-bay to resell it.
>>
>> Thanks again. I'll be back with other questions, I'm certain.
>>
>> Janet
>
> Janet the dual voltage useage battery chargers I mentioned/have bought
> from Radio Shack, you can use upon your return to the US. I have now
> used mine for the past 4 years with no problems [except having to buy
> new rechargeable batteries as the ones that came with it finally 'wore
> out'].
>
> Cath

Thanks Cath,

I'll stop in at one of them and ask for it.

Janet, in Texas, too.

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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kangaroo16 wrote:

> I should have been a bit more specific. Firstly, "AA" is a
> standard international designation for an "AA" size cell.

That's good to know

<snipped the techie stuff>


> However, "AA" cells of either type are readily available in most
> parts of Australia.

If I run out, then I'll be able to purchase more. Thanks for the info.
>
> If I were an American tourist only coming down for five days, and
> had an electronic camera, which presumably gives a "low voltage"
> or "change battery" indication, I would feel perfectly safe to
> have a set of non-rechargeable alkaline cells in the camera with
> another set of 4 or more alkaline cells.
>
> This should cover all the pictures you would want to take between
> the U.S. and Australia.

I want to take 5 days worth of pictures *in* Australia. We are doing a
cruise-tour package and the first part is a land tour from Sydney to
Ayers Rock then to Cairns then back to Sydney where we board a cruise
ship to visit Melbourne then sail over to New Zealand and go around the
whole country putting in at some of the ports.

> I, of course, am not an "optimist" and would carry two "backup"
> sets of four alkaline cells

> ...After all, something might happen where I might like to take
> lots and lots of photos and wouldn't have a source of the needed
> cells.

I'll bring a dozen with me, just to be safe.

> Suppose, for example, the plane ditched in the ocean, and I and
> other passengers survived it. [very unlikely actually, but "just
> suppose".]
>
> Once rescued, if rescued, my photos might be worth a lot of
> money.

LOL!


> So how about rechargeable cells? Well, the choice once was
> rechargeable nickel/cadmium (NiCd) cells, each of which would,
> when charged, would provide 1.2 volts at 500 mAh.

That was the subject of my OP. I have rechargeables but my recharger
won't work on Australian electricity. I'm going to check Radio Shack, as
Cath suggested for their charger.

> Or am I getting to technical? To "boil it down", if I was a Yank
> coming here for only 5 days, I probably wouldn't bother with
> any sort of rechargeable cells.

Yes, but I am going to be on the ship for 2 weeks after that. My charger
will work for the rechargeables on the ship.


> In my experience, an astounding number of fellow "Yanks" don't
> understand basic electronic and electrical facts.

I certainly wouldn't judge the national population by *me*! LOL! I was
born electrically challenged. I'm also directionally challenged. The two
seem to be on the same chromosome <g>

> When you decided what to do, you might want to post on the group
> initially, perhaps a bit of a "diary" on your trip to Oz.

I shall post about the battery decision. I will not be on line during my
trip. Though Internet service will be available, I'm taking a *real*
vacation.
>
> If you cannot be bothered to do this, perhaps a post when you
> return, stating what you have learned about Australia?

I would be delight to post upon my return and share my impressions. I
get back 11 November.

> Also, would you consider migrating here?

Probably not. All of our children are in the Northeast and we are way
down at the very, very tip of Texas on the border of Mexico where the
Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. The kids think we are too far away
as it is. They would disown us if we migrated.

Also, I'm not sure I can speak the language. I had to watch the dropbear
video 4 times to understand what the fellow were saying. <g>

> I did so, decades ago, and I don't regret doing so.

Janet
--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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Mr. Sandman wrote:

>
> What does <g> stand for?

<g> = grin.
<vbg> + very big grin.

They are generally preferred by Usenet junkies over emoticons.

Janet, a Usenet junkie since 1995

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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Alan S wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:39 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <kelliepoodle RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I live in Texas. Way at the very, very southeastern most tip of it. I
>> can well appreciate it when someone thinks Dallas is just around the
>> corner when it's at least a two day trip.
>>
>
> This will give you some idea of the scale of things.
>
> These are the states and territories of Australia.
>
> Rank State/Territory Area (km²)
> 1 Western Australia 2,529,875
> 2 Queensland 1,730,648
> 3 Northern Territory 1,349,129
> 4 South Australia 983,482
> 5 New South Wales 800,642
> 6 Victoria 227,146
> 7 Tasmania 68,401
> 8 Australian Capital Territory 2,358
>
> Australia 7,691,681
> USA (incl Alaska, Hawaii) 9,631,420
>
> At 261,797 mi² or 678051 km² Texas fits in at 6th, smaller
> than NSW but bigger than Victoria.
>
> Of course, I accept that there's a lot of empty out there.
> When flying as an Engineer in the RAAF from Canberra via
> Alice Springs to Pt Headland the pilots described it as
> flying over the GAFA. The Great Australian .... All.

Thank you, Alan, for the geography lesson.


--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 11:12:24 -0500, Janet Wilder
<kelliepoodle.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Thank you, Alan, for the geography lesson.

I hope we're still friends;-)

Cheers, Alan, Australia
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Alan S wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 11:12:24 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <kelliepoodle RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Thank you, Alan, for the geography lesson.
>
> I hope we're still friends;-)
>
> Cheers, Alan, Australia

Of course! Why shouldn't we be?

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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kangaroo16 wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:08:52 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <kelliepoodle RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in

>> I've read the climate in Australia is similar to our southwest.

> Brownsville Texas is north of this at 22° 55' N 97°30' W and
> this is about as close to the equator as a western US city
> manages. The Florida keys get closer, with Key West at 24°31 N
> 81°47 W. which is the southernmost point of the continental U.S.

I live less than 20 miles up-river from Brownsville, Texas




> You are coming at the right time, then. Spring &.or summer.
> Seasons not as marked here as in the US. Just a gradual sine
> curve between winter and summer.

Thank you. we were hoping for good weather. Where we live we only have
two seasons: warm and hot, so I can well understand what you state.
>
>>> Early settlers brought in foxes and rabbits for hunting purposes,
>>> and at one time Australia had huge rabbit plagues.
>> Wasn't it Australia that had the Rabbit-Proof Fence? I saw a wonderfully
>> touching movie on TV with that title a few years ago.
>
> Yep, still the longest fence in the world as far as I know.

Our government is trying to fence our border with Mexico. Their proposed
plan is stupid. They want to put concrete-heavy fences on top of levees
that are barely standing themselves.

>
> If I was coming to Australia for the first time, and dealing with
> a travel agent or tour group I would expect to be advised of
> possible hazards.

We have been warned in print about the need for hats and sunscreen. I'm
sure that when we get to Ayers Rock there will be additional warnings
and when we get to Port Douglas, as well.
>
> If I was an Australian visiting the USA for the first time
> I would expect the same warnings.

That's hard to do as there are vast differences in the various parts of
the country.

> Airport security is pretty high these days, and a recent
> news report dealt with a traveler from Europe who had his
> hypodermics and insulin confiscated when he boarded. Made
> it to Australia OK, but was pretty sick when arrived.

I have photocopied the specific page from the TSA regarding insulin and
hypodermics, etc. According to the web site, Diabetics can bring those
items on the plane without a note. I bowl with a fellow who works at our
local airport (deemed "International" because of a few flights to Mexico
which is actually closer to us than most US cities) for Homeland
Security and he told me that if we ever have any problems with security
because of the Diabetes and its equipment to ask for the screening
supervisor.

> If carrying any prescription drugs, have copies of prescription,
> letter from your doctor.

Why? As long as the prescription is on the bottle, there should not be a
problem.
>
> I hear that airlines are very fussy about anything that could be
> used as a weapon, including fingernail files, nail scissors, etc.

They have recently revised their rules to permit small scissors.
Evidently the needleworkers' groups got nasty. <g>

> Again, I feel that Australia is a far safer place than the
> USA for travelers or tourists.

We traveled extensively throughout North America when we lived in our
recreational vehicle and knew enough to stay away from places and
practices that invited trouble. The US is not that unsafe.

> How to shield from radiant heat inside a vehicle reminds me of
> one of the most useful items I've always carried in my travels,
> which is a Fischer Space Blanket.

I used to have one in my car when we lived up north. I also had
reflective foil sheets that I put under the regular bed sheets so I
could save money on heating the house at night. It enabled us to turn
the thermostat down quite low. I fed the kids beans and they kept
themselves warm all night.

Thanks again for all of your help,

Janet
--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
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<snipo>
> I have photocopied the specific page from the TSA regarding insulin and
> hypodermics, etc. According to the web site, Diabetics can bring those
> items on the plane without a note. I bowl with a fellow who works at our
> local airport (deemed "International" because of a few flights to Mexico
> which is actually closer to us than most US cities) for Homeland
> Security and he told me that if we ever have any problems with security
> because of the Diabetes and its equipment to ask for the screening
> supervisor.
>
<sn9ip>
>
> Janet


Janet, I suggest you look at the Travel Section of Diabetes Australia
<www.diabetesaustralia.com.au>. You will find that Australia has different
rules. I have just checked this out as I am arriving in Australia in the
middle October. Their rules are stricter than the TSA.

Martha T2 Canada
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On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:35:18 +1000, Alan S <nothere.DeleteThis@there.com>
wrote in <4rsgf3dq6n7hf8cbd8gl8dmtqivh8f5dhi.DeleteThis@4ax.com> :

>On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:10:12 GMT, MI <quilchenapark.DeleteThis@shaw.ca>
>wrote:
>
>>You've hot your 'Tropics' backward. Cancer--- Northern hemisphere;
>>Capricorn---Southern hemisphere. It's easy to remember: Cancer---Canada,
>>Capricorn---Cape of Good Hope. That's the way I learned in school and it
>>never fails.
>>
>>Martha AT2 Canada
>
>Capricorn has an "r" in it. So does Rockhampton, an Aussie
>city on the tropic line.
>
>How I remembered it as a kid.
>
>
>Cheers, Alan, Australia

Oops, sorry about that. I don't always proofread posts. After
all, anyone interested in details should allow for that when
their first check parameters.

Still a fault on my part. I apologize for same.

Cheers,
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On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:32:12 +1000, Alan S <nothere.RemoveThis@there.com>
wrote in <rhsgf39oeu37on36tn7qgmn98l1ojr90i3.RemoveThis@4ax.com> :

>On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:04:10 -0500, Janet Wilder
><kelliepoodle.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>> If carrying any prescription drugs, have copies of prescription,
>>> letter from your doctor.
>>
>>Why? As long as the prescription is on the bottle, there should not be a
>>problem.
>
>This one is worth doing, Janet. You are quite correct,
>logically and legally. But in my experience TSA staff and
>logic are not always compatible. It is extremely unlikely
>that you'll need it - but in the event that you do it could
>be the thing that stops a tiny detail becoming a major
>hassle.
>
>I know I've said this before, but in my experience TSA staff
>are recruited for the size of their muscles. Particularly
>the one between their ears.
>
>It cost me very little to draft a letter for my doctor's
>signature and to carry a current prescription for my meds.
>
>
>Cheers, Alan, Australia

Thanks for the support, Alan.

Question: Do you find my posts hard to understand? You seem
very perceptive.

Actually, the only "expertise" I can claim as being a successful
U.S. migrant of Australia.

Cheers,
Kangaroo 16
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