Weirdo plugs on my new Mult-VCR. Need electricity help!

[studtrooper]

Well, I just got my semi-new Multi-VCR today (it can play PAL, NTSC, and SECAM) but I ran into a problem before I could even turn it on (well, this stops me from turning it on). The guy who I bought this from didn't mention that it came with only a PAL power connecter (I'm assuming this but I'm pretty sure it is). My question is, how do I plug this thing into my NTSC power socket? I think I need a power converter, but I've never done something like this. Any suggestions? I found THIS, would any of these work? I've attached a few pics to show you guys what I'm facing. Thanks for any help.

[MikeV]

Check out your local Radio Shack. You need part # 273-1405 $10.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5...Fid=273%2D1405

Or check your local Best Buy or other electronics shops for the adapter.

[Alan69]

No you don't need one of those, that is way overkill and off hand didn't even look like it had the right plug (but didn't really look)..

That VCR can take 110V 60Hz directly, you need nothing more than a new plug or a simple adapter that has holes for that plug with blades for a normal US outlet. If you really don't care about Euro use, go to Lowes or Home Depot etc and get a new plug that's screw on, and cut the old one off and install the new. It's a very simple job, if you don't already know how then PM me and I'll give you complete instructions. For that matter there are plugs that just screw on and puncture the insulation, and no stripping of wires etc. In other words pretty much idiot proof..

It would be nice to get the common wire to the wider blade (look at any 2 blade appliance for how the wide blade fits in one way..) Slightly less shock hazard that way, although there isn't much with most VCR's anyway even if it's backwards. Older appliances didn't even have the wide blade etc..

Alan

[ozymango]

You don't actually need a power adapter, you just need a plug adapter -- the VCR will handle pretty much any voltage you throw at it, all we need to do is change the prongs so they fit in a standard US socket.

You can probably find a basic plug adapter at a local travel store (might be one in a mall nearby); should only be a couple of bucks (2 prong "European" to US, if you ask the person at the counter they'll know what you're talking about). Again, you don't need to change the voltage, just the plug configuration, so if anybody tries to sell you some kind of voltage adaptor, tell them politely but firmly, "NO, I just need the plug adapter, my VCR is already multi-voltage."

You can also order a plug adapter from someplace like http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/, take a look under "plug adapters," stock number VP-7, that's what you're looking for.

I travel internationally from time to time and you should see the stack of plug adapters I've collected in my time. Hope that helps!

[Alan69]

Or check your local Best Buy or other electronics shops for the adapter.

Yep that's the adapter, but if you aren't going to Europe etc with it you can just hack off the Euro plug and install a $2-3 plug from any hardware store.

Also the the text there says it must be used with a converter. Since your VCR is able to run off 110V you don't need one, just to get the wires connected..

[BobK]

That is a European power plug (nothing to do with PAL or NTSC). To plug it into a US socket you just need a convertor plug- that has a socket that you plug into on one side and a standard 120V plug that you plug into the wall on the other side.

Europe uses 240 volts rather than the 120 we use. It does say on that label that's it's multi-voltage- but check the book and see if you need to set a switch or if it automatically adjusts to the voltage.

Since you don't need a transformer then you could just cut the wire at the plug and put a US/120 volt plug at the end of the wire. You don't really need to be an electrician to do that- go to Home Depot and you can buy a plug and someone there can probably show you how to put it on.

[lordsmurf]

Fry's has these cheap.

[ozymango]

[quote="Alan69"]

Yep that's the adapter, but if you aren't going to Europe etc with it you can just hack off the Euro plug and install a $2-3 plug from any hardware store.

Yup, this is what I'd do myself, just re-plug the cord, but -- and no offense to the original poster -- the guy did mention he hadn't done anything like this before, seemed a bit taken aback by the plug ...

And my gut thing is, when working with 110-220v lines, if you're not sure how to find a plug adaptor, are you really interested in cutting and splicing wires?

He's probably be safe, but I have a friend who replaced the plug on a lamp cord and a strand of wire from the hot side got shorted to the neutral side and when he plugged it in and the plug went FOOM! that was the last time he rolled his own lamp cord.

[Alan69]

[quote="ozymango"]

Yep that's the adapter, but if you aren't going to Europe etc with it you can just hack off the Euro plug and install a $2-3 plug from any hardware store.

Yup, this is what I'd do myself, just re-plug the cord, but -- and no offense to the original poster -- the guy did mention he hadn't done anything like this before, seemed a bit taken aback by the plug ...

And my gut thing is, when working with 110-220v lines, if you're not sure how to find a plug adaptor, are you really interested in cutting and splicing wires?

No splicing involved. With an IDC type plug you simply cut the wire, and screw the new plug on and it punctures to make contact, you don't even strip a wire. Pretty much idiot proof..

Plus he can take pictures, so I can look over his shoulder to use a non-IDC type. That's why I mentioned to PM me, I wouldn't be telling him to do it if I wasn't sure I could get him through it. Of course he could probably get someone to put it on if he takes the VCR in when he buys the plug, not like it's a minutes work for someone who already is familiar..

Alan

[studtrooper]

You don't actually need a power adapter, you just need a plug adapter -- the VCR will handle pretty much any voltage you throw at it, all we need to do is change the prongs so they fit in a standard US socket.

You can probably find a basic plug adapter at a local travel store (might be one in a mall nearby); should only be a couple of bucks (2 prong "European" to US, if you ask the person at the counter they'll know what you're talking about). Again, you don't need to change the voltage, just the plug configuration, so if anybody tries to sell you some kind of voltage adaptor, tell them politely but firmly, "NO, I just need the plug adapter, my VCR is already multi-voltage."

You can also order a plug adapter from someplace like http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/, take a look under "plug adapters," stock number VP-7, that's what you're looking for.

I travel internationally from time to time and you should see the stack of plug adapters I've collected in my time. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the info (that goes for everone else who posted to) and link. I just ordered a VP-7, hopefully it will get here quick

[ozymango]

No splicing involved. With an IDC type plug you simply cut the wire, and screw the new plug on and it punctures to make contact, you don't even strip a wire. Pretty much idiot proof..

Yup, that'd work just fine. Well, anyway, he certainly now has more than a few options to choose from.

In either case, he should only be out a couple of bucks for either a new plug or an adapter -- I guess it depends on whether he's closer to Home Depot or Frys!

[studtrooper]

No splicing involved. With an IDC type plug you simply cut the wire, and screw the new plug on and it punctures to make contact, you don't even strip a wire. Pretty much idiot proof..

Yup, that'd work just fine. Well, anyway, he certainly now has more than a few options to choose from.

In either case, he should only be out a couple of bucks for either a new plug or an adapter -- I guess it depends on whether he's closer to Home Depot or Frys!

Heh heh, try neither. Since I live in the middle of nowere (a.k.a. middle of Oregon), I have no Frys, Best Buy, Home Depot, Electronics Botique, etc. within a 60-mile range. Since gas is so freakin expensive right now, I decided I'd rather order the part online than to hop in my '91 Mustang and burn up 7 gallons

[ozymango]

[quote="studtrooper"][quote="ozymango"]

Heh heh, try neither. Since I live in the middle of nowere (a.k.a. middle of Oregon), I have no Frys, Best Buy, Home Depot, Electronics Botique, etc. within a 60-mile range. Since gas is so freakin expensive right now, I decided I'd rather order the part online than to hop in my '91 Mustang and burn up 7 gallons

A wise man!

I grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon so boy do I know that "middle of nowhere feeling." And back then there was no internet. Ugh!

I just think it's amazingly cool that a person can get a multi-region VCR today, find advice if he has questions about it, and then get the solution -- all online!!! No gas required!

Okay, I'm obviously showing my age, and starting to ramble. Enjoy your new VCR!