Visiting to Germany?

Question

I am going to see my fiance who is a Solider but i was wondering where i could go to while in the US to get converters so i can use my hair dryer, and hair straightener etc....or should i get them on the military base once i get on base

Answer 1

I just moved to Germany from the US, and I had to buy one for myself before I left so I could use my computer, my iPod, and my cell phone.  I purchased mine at a Radio Shack, 'cause it was convenient.  It cost me about $35, and it's worked GREAT so far, I don't know what I would do without it.  I think you should get it while you're in the States, because they're more expensive over here...  They count on travelers NEEDING them, so they up the price so they can make more of a profit.  I got the 85 Watt step-down converter, but when you go to the store, just tell them what you'll be using it for, and they'll tell you what you need.  Certain electronic devices require different watts and so on.  Just buy it in the States and save yourself the trouble of trying to find one for an affordable price and dealing with the language barrier.  Also, since you're just using it for your hair dryer and straightener, you can buy one that only converts one outlet, since you won't be needing BOTH at the same time... I assume you dry your hair then straighten it...  ;-)  Have fun in Deutschland!!

Answer 2

Transformers (converters) are heavy items.  You don't really want to travel with one of those.  One that would be able to handle your hair dryer would weigh about 6-10 pounds.

Your fiancee "should" have one.  If not, he can borrow one from someone in his barracks or rent one from an AAFES facility on base.  Another option would be for him to buy one from one of the MANY people that are leaving Germany during this draw down.

Remember that you, as a US citizen, are not allowed unaccompanied access to US installations in Germany.  Any time you want to get on post, you will have to have your passport with you AND get signed on by your fiancee.

Answer 3

You can get them at places like Radio Shack, Staples, Circuit CIty, K-Mart. All you need is the international Converter KIT.

One thing to point out is to have enough extenstions so they fit in the walls there. You plug the converter into the proper plug and that should give you enough depth to plug it into their walls.

YOU CAN also buy them in Germany as well too!!

BUY TWO different ones that they make, One is great for charging batteries while the other is good for using appliances, they are two seperate converters but both are needed. I have been there 18 times now and am positive on this unless you buy the real expensive ones of course than you can get just one. I got two for I had use of them,

have fun! remember you can buy more there if needed!!

Answer 4

it might be cheaper to buy a 110Volt dryer and straightner at wlmart , that shouldnt cost more than 20$

Answer 5

Wait until you´re over here.  I bought a converter at Radio Shack that said it was good in Germany, and when I plugged it in with my hair dryer the dryer blew up!  I don´t think coverters purchased in the US are really for overseas use after that experience.

Answer 6

I'd recommend you get one on base. 85 watts may be just (!) sufficient for your laptop computer, but hairdryers use up to 1,000 (!) watts. You can buy cheap hairdryers here for around 15-25 euros; as to that, I'd recommend you simply buy one. I don't know much about hair straighteners; the wattage should be lower than a dryer, but still around some 100-150. My ordinary desktop PC (plus tube screen) uses a good 250 watts, all engines running, 70 standby, 35 hibernation mode. I'd really not recommend you connect a high-wattage device to a converter. That will be fine for a laptop, or a man's electric shaver, or a cellphone charger; but don't try it with a hair dryer. It will kill the converter. No converter in the world will stand a thousand watts or more.

btw, talking about hair dryers: I just looked at mine. It has a little switch on the backside (a bit hidden within the case, but still accessible) I didn't notice before that says "110/120" on the upper side, and "230/240" on the lower side. The switch is pushed down low, to European voltage, but with a small screwdriver, the setting could be changed. If you find that kind of switch on one of your devices, just change it from US voltage to European.