Look at the charger for you ipod. Somewhere on it (usually on the plug) it will list acceptable "inputs." Most electronic gadgets allow a wide range of inputs. In the US, electricity is 110 volt, 60 cycle. In Europe, it’s 220 volt, 50 cycle. If the input range accomodates 220 volts (it probably will) you should be fine — cycles should not be a problem. Just get an adapter plug to fit the european outlets — no need for a converter. If you’re going to UK, you will need a different adapter plug for UK.

Anything that plugs in is a bit of a crapshoot. I’d watch fairly carefully to see that the charger didn’t get overly hot and make sure to unplug it as soon as it’s fully charged.

your iPod charger has a built in converter and is capable of switching out the plugs to fit the country that your in…go to your local apple store (or website) and pick up the plugs.

what you need…
http://store.apple.c…

another option which is a lot cheaper is pick up an basic int’l plug adapter pack from target price runs around $15 USD

http://www.target.co…

Your charger is the only thing that should get whacked but then your Ipod is pretty much useless without the charger!

There’s a good chance it will get fried, every backpacker has had experience of really old wiring in Europe (eps in Hostels and pensions
) and stuff going up in smoke!

sorry to bump this up, but i didn’t want to make a whole new thread — has anyone used one of these regular adapter kits (like the Target one) to charge their iPod rather than buying the Apple adapter kit? I don’t want to spend all that extra money on the Apple kit if I don’t have to.

Thanks!

I second that jboy. In Rome, my sister used her own blowdryer and ended up blowing the electricity out in half the building. LOL. We played it off like we did not do anything. But I was able to charge my video camera, digital camera and cell phone with no issues in all the hotels that I stayed at. I think that things such as irons or blow dryers will be a problem but not an issue with your ipod.

BeautifullyBoring – yep, used one of the cheaper adapters last Christmas when I was over in Italy. No problems at all.

Thanks!

Beautifullyboring — You probably DO NOT NEED a converter from Target to charge your IPOD. You only need an adapter plug to fit the wall outlet because your charger probably works just fine on 220 volts — check the acceptable "inputs" on the wall plug or on the charger.

Only caution would be to watch it, don’t overcharge and if the charger seems to get alarmingly hot, unplug it.

Blowdryers take lots of watts and tend to fry themselves and blow converters. If your IPOD does need a converter, the target variety should be fine, although one with a high/low option would probably be better.

thanks oldlady
I assumed that all I needed is a plug converter – I know that the charger works on the same voltage worldwide because the american style plug just slips right off and you can replace it with any of the international plugs that Apple sells….they just don’t sell them separately, so you have to spend $50 for a bunch of plugs when you’ll probably only ever need one or two….
but if I can just put a european plug converter on the american one without blowing out my iPod, I’ll be happy.

…..that is what the pack from Target does, correct? Unless I’m missing something….

Target sells a set of about 5 different adapter plugs for worldwide use for about $10. Sally Beauty supply does, to. However, a travel store, Radio Shack or a luggage store may sell just the "europe" plug for $ 2 or 3. You’ll need a different plug if you go to UK (which would also be included in a 5 plug set).

Apple also offers a battery pack for your IPOD. SOme say its too bulky, but I don’t think it can be any worse than a cd player and a bunch of CD’s. Personally i’m really paranoid and fear that someone might take my ipod, so i’m going to use this.

My iPod charger worked just fine in Western Europe as long as you have the two or three adapters.

I plan on bring my powerbook anyone besides me think this is a good idea?
I was just wondering if anyone has brought a laptop wiht them and really decided that they rather ship it home then keep it with them.
I am also going to bring my iPod again I am more willing to lose that then the powerbook.

Hello all,

I have one of the adapters from radioshack (similar to the ones in target) and I have used it numerous times for a blowdryer and to charge my camera batteries. I have been in hostels where people burnt out their adapters and appliances. I will soon find out if my IPOD is ok with it too.
Has anyone used the actual IPOD adapter plugs?
I am debating on whether or not I should just be safe and get them.

good luck to those of you who are about to or currrently in the process of answering the question of saftey.

Happy travels

The Ipod charger, like all others, is dual voltage. You’ll just needs a plug(s).

AS for buying other chargers. Look on your existing charger. It will give the input voltage (100~200) plus the output voltage and amperage, both of which will be very low. Different rechargeable appliances take different output voltage/amperage, although there are some standards – as in laptops. Take your recharger down to the local store and match the output voltage/amperage and the connector plug to the Ipod. Just show it to the salesperson.

I´m from the US and I´m living in Spain, with an Ipod I brought from home. I just use a normal (not apple) adapter plug to plug my charger into the wall.

I´ve never had any problems.

I also have a laptop that I brought from home, again I just use a adapter I bought in a travel store, and I´ve never had any problems in Belgium, Spain, or Germany (all the places I´ve travelled with it)