PRS-950 PRS-950 charger question

thatpersonagain · 02-23-2011, 09:40 PM

Hi all,

Recently received my 950 through the post (from a friend in the US, i'm in the UK) and i'm a little confuzzled :-/

The wall charger is an american one with the double-blades as i'd expect, but i'm not sure if it'll be ok with our 240v mains, and i certainly don't want to accidentally fry my reader... would it be alright or would i need to get the small UK-to-US transformer out of the garage?

thanks in advance,
that person (again)

Ripplinger · 02-23-2011, 10:01 PM

I'm pretty sure you at least need to use the UK-to-US transformer to plug it in. You might damage the reader, or the adapter, or both without it.

delphin · 02-23-2011, 10:04 PM

Check the voltage range printed on the unit.

Some modern power pack units only need the pass-though type of physical only adaptor, but if the voltage range doesn't go up to the 240-250 volt range, then you would need a step-down transformer type adapter.

One the one hand, these 'universal' power packs are very common these days, but on the other hand a lot of goods out of Asia are mislabeled, so it's probably better to just replace the power pack with one from a U.K. supplier.

All the PRS-x50 readers use a VERY common USB style charger, and I see U.K. compatible ones on Amazon and elsewhere for only a few Pounds.

The only thing to be careful about if you do go to buy one is that some older 'Apple' type micro-usb chargers don't work.

About 99% of current cell phone micro-usb chargers do work just fine though, so if you have one of those available you are in great shape and can just use that.

Bookworm_Girl · 02-23-2011, 10:25 PM

The Sony adapter PRSA-AC1 that came with my 950 is rated for input: 100 - 240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.2A. You should see that in tiny writing on the label. I would think it should be fine without the transformer, and you just need a US-to-UK outlet plug adapter. But, as delphin says, many cell phone or other gadget chargers work fine too. Here are the official specs from the 950 User Guide:

AC Adapter for Reader (PRSA-AC1)
 Output: 5.0 V DC, 1,500 mA
 Input: 100 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A
 Operating/Charging temperature: 41˚F to 95˚F (5˚C to
35˚C)
 Dimensions (w/h/d):
Approx. 1 7/16 × 2 7/8 × 1 5/16 inches (Approx. 36 × 70 ×
33 mm)
 Mass: Approx. 1.76 oz. (50 g)
 USB cable length: Approx. 58 1/8 inches (1.5 m)

ThR · 02-24-2011, 05:30 AM

That's why I bought a wall charger for the prs-350/650 here in Germany. It works fine with my 950.

thatpersonagain · 02-24-2011, 06:48 AM

Thanks people, you've been a great help. I think i'll get one of the chargers that fit our style of socket as well (if only for the convenience of not having to remember where I left the adapter half the time).

It's charging now and not releasing any of the magical blue smoke that makes it work

.

02-23-2011, 09:40 PM	#1
thatpersonagain Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Sony PRS-950	PRS-950 charger question Hi all, Recently received my 950 through the post (from a friend in the US, i'm in the UK) and i'm a little confuzzled :-/ The wall charger is an american one with the double-blades as i'd expect, but i'm not sure if it'll be ok with our 240v mains, and i certainly don't want to accidentally fry my reader... would it be alright or would i need to get the small UK-to-US transformer out of the garage? thanks in advance, that person (again)

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02-23-2011, 10:01 PM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I'm pretty sure you at least need to use the UK-to-US transformer to plug it in. You might damage the reader, or the adapter, or both without it.

02-23-2011, 10:04 PM	#3
delphin Evangelist Posts: 434 Karma: 346901 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: SONY PRS-650	Check the voltage range printed on the unit. Some modern power pack units only need the pass-though type of physical only adaptor, but if the voltage range doesn't go up to the 240-250 volt range, then you would need a step-down transformer type adapter. One the one hand, these 'universal' power packs are very common these days, but on the other hand a lot of goods out of Asia are mislabeled, so it's probably better to just replace the power pack with one from a U.K. supplier. All the PRS-x50 readers use a VERY common USB style charger, and I see U.K. compatible ones on Amazon and elsewhere for only a few Pounds. The only thing to be careful about if you do go to buy one is that some older 'Apple' type micro-usb chargers don't work. About 99% of current cell phone micro-usb chargers do work just fine though, so if you have one of those available you are in great shape and can just use that.

02-23-2011, 10:25 PM	#4
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	The Sony adapter PRSA-AC1 that came with my 950 is rated for input: 100 - 240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.2A. You should see that in tiny writing on the label. I would think it should be fine without the transformer, and you just need a US-to-UK outlet plug adapter. But, as delphin says, many cell phone or other gadget chargers work fine too. Here are the official specs from the 950 User Guide: AC Adapter for Reader (PRSA-AC1)  Output: 5.0 V DC, 1,500 mA  Input: 100 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A  Operating/Charging temperature: 41˚F to 95˚F (5˚C to 35˚C)  Dimensions (w/h/d): Approx. 1 7/16 × 2 7/8 × 1 5/16 inches (Approx. 36 × 70 × 33 mm)  Mass: Approx. 1.76 oz. (50 g)  USB cable length: Approx. 58 1/8 inches (1.5 m)

02-24-2011, 05:30 AM	#5
ThR Tatütatuter Posts: 390 Karma: 3148 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Germany, Baden, Karlsruhe Device: Aura H2O, Glo HD, Paperwhite, PRS-950	That's why I bought a wall charger for the prs-350/650 here in Germany. It works fine with my 950.

02-24-2011, 06:48 AM	#6
thatpersonagain Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Sony PRS-950	Thanks people, you've been a great help. I think i'll get one of the chargers that fit our style of socket as well (if only for the convenience of not having to remember where I left the adapter half the time). It's charging now and not releasing any of the magical blue smoke that makes it work .

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