American DS Charger/European Power Converter

Frank Brak

So I'm on a trip at the moment and before my trip I bought a European power converter for my laptop and it works just fine. Today, my DS ran out of battery and I tried plugging it into the converter and it doesn't seem to be charging.

There are a few times that it'll flash orange (or yellow) for a second when I plug it in but then nothing again.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem?

Spam

Does your Euro power adaptor look like this:



or like this:


?

If it's the latter, then chances are you've just blown your DS charger, as it's not converted the voltage from 240v to 110v.

Laptop power supplies usually run fine off either 240V/110V, so would work fine with either type of adaptor.

Frank Brak

Well shit,

it's this brand specifically: http://is.gd/ts9j

Spam

Yeah, from the looks of it your adaptor just converts your lead to the right plug type but doesn't have a step-down transformer built in, so it's still outputting 240V.
That's fine for your laptop charger, but your DS charger prob only works off 110V.

Easy solution - walk into a high street gaming store and buy a new (european) DS charger - they ain't expensive.

Alternatively, you could buy a step down US-Euro adaptor (first pic - should be able to find one at a electrical/tourist store) to try with current charger, but it'd prob cost at least as much as a new DS charger, and there's no guarantee that your current DS charger is still working anyhow.

tsmvengy

Look at your DS charger for the voltage: it should say "AC input" somewhere. If it says 110V (or around there) you're fucked and you probably destroyed the charger, if it says 110-240V then you are gold.

vonPoonBurGer

Every North American DS power adapter I've seen does not accept European 220-240V.

When I was in South Africa, I had to charge my DS from an outlet in the bathroom, which had a 115V outlet for electric shavers. I don't suppose the place you're staying has anything like that?

Everywhereasign

As has been suggested by others as a solution to the same problem. Get a USB DS charger. Then you can travel anywhere in the world and not have to worry about the voltage and/or plug adapters.

Frank Brak

Thanks a lot guys.

Yeah, I'm stuck in Belgrade for at least a few more weeks. I don't even know if this country HAS an electronics store.

I guess if all else fails, I can make a USB charger. I'll have to go check downtown to see if they have any stores tomorrow or something.