220 Volts

[kdoc]

Can I charge my K Fire on a non-USA 220 line, using either the charge provided (with the little cube) or using my original Kindle charging connector, which is a combination of a USB and a USA plug? Do I need a special connector for 220?

kdoc

[wallcraft]

The provided adapter is rated for 100-240V, so it should work if you have a traveling plug converter. If you already have a native USB charger, it may work but the Fire really wants 1.8Amp. Many Kindle and cell phone USB chargers are about 1Amp and your computers USB connections may only be 0.5Amp (some have a 1Amp mode).

[HarryT]

One option is to get an iPad charger, which can supply 2A.

[kdoc]

As a novice in electricity let me ask: Inthe USA the Fire does charge well with the older USB-plug combo. So I gather what you're saying is that the 220 V. won't blow the system out, but the lower amperage of some countries may not be sufficient. Right? I believe Mexico is the same as here? What about much of Europe which is on 220V? What about the amps there? I'll be going to both places over the next year.

kdoc

[dwig]

Originally Posted by kdoc

... I gather what you're saying is that the 220 V. won't blow the system out, but the lower amperage of some countries may not be sufficient.

The "lower amperage" limit is an attribute of the charger, not the supply/mains current. The amperage rating on a charger is its maximum output, the attached device draws what amperage it wants up to that maximum.

This page seems to have some good info on what voltages and frequencies (Hrz) are the norm in different parts of the world: http://wikitravel.org/en/Electrical_systems

[kdoc]

Thanks; simultaneously with your message, this was received from Amazon--within 1 hour after asking the question under "Help".!! Good for Amazon!!!

"Yes, you can charge the Kindle Fire using the USB charging cable.

The Kindle power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V. If you are outside of the U.S. and choose to use a local plug adapter, make sure the plug adapter is compatible with the Kindle USB charging cable and follow all safety instructions.

Actual charging time may vary. If you'd like to learn more about the power adapter options, you can visit these pages:

Europe: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y27P5K

For specific information on charging Kindle models outside of the United States, please refer to our Help pages:

www.amazon.com/kindlecharge

Thanks for your interest in Kindle."

It therefore seems, thanks to all this info, that I can as easily charge elsewhere as in the U.S. All I or anyone needs is a plug/socket adapter.

kdoc

[Pushka]

I have been charging mine just fine in Australia at 222/240. Just need a plug adaptor.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by kdoc

...

The Kindle power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V. ...

... and it supports 50-60Hz meaning it tolerates the frequency differences in addition to the voltage differences. This is typical of modern electronic power adapters.

[DustyDisks]

Originally Posted by dwig

... and it supports 50-60Hz meaning it tolerates the frequency differences in addition to the voltage differences. This is typical of modern electronic power adapters.

Yep, modern power adapters/power supply's are good world wide. Only one model needs to be made for use anywhere in the world with the correct supply plug.

Back in the day, it was a "p.n.t.a" because you could fry your system using the wrong power supply/adapter. And it is still good to be careful, because there are still older single region units still out there. Only `115-130v 60 cps or 220-230v 50cps.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DustyDisks

Back in the day, it was a "p.n.t.a" because you could fry your system using the wrong power supply/adapter. And it is still good to be careful, because there are still older single region units still out there. Only `115-130v 60 cps or 220-230v 50cps.

High-power appliances, like hairdriers, are still generally single-voltage. You need to be careful with those if you're travelling, especially if using US appliances elsewhere in the world, since the vast majority of countries use 220-240v.

[DustyDisks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

High-power appliances, like hairdriers, are still generally single-voltage. You need to be careful with those if you're travelling, especially if using US appliances elsewhere in the world, since the vast majority of countries use 220-240v.

Also do not forget 50 cycle/hertz. There are country's that use 115v 50hz standards and the difference in frequency can do bad things.

But very true and care needs to be noted.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DustyDisks

Also do not forget 50 cycle/hertz. The difference in frequency can do bad things.

But very true and care needs to be noted.

There's actually very few appliances which care about the frequency. The only ones you generally come across are electric clocks, which get their timing from the frequency. A clock made for 50Hz mains electricity will gain 12 minutes in every hour if run on 60Hz mains. Voltage converters don't change the frequency, so this can be an issue for travellers.

Did you have anything in particular in mind when you said that the frequency could affect things?

[DustyDisks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There's actually very few appliances which care about the frequency. The only ones you generally come across are electric clocks, which get their timing from the frequency. A clock made for 50Hz mains electricity will gain 12 minutes in every hour if run on 60Hz mains. Voltage converters don't change the frequency, so this can be an issue for travellers.

Did you have anything in particular in mind when you said that the frequency could affect things?

Years back, I had trouble with transformers overheating in my radios/RF amps in 50 Hz countrys. I am a long time amateur/ham radio operator that has operated in several 50 Hz country's. And have had some problems because of the 10 Hz difference in frequency. Sort of a hit or miss thing.