Batteries and travel

[yesIsaidyes]

Cross post with W&W

I am heading to India for two weeks in October and I don't think one battery is going to last me. Anyone have experience in the Darjeeling/ Sikkim region with electricity? Can I use my regular Canon recharger with just an outlet adapter? Also, should I just "invest" in one of these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G3KLPA/ref=wl_it_dp/105-1156866-6866008?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22G9UYLF9PJFX&colid=3VNSD7ZLH3AL9)?

[Summit]

always have extra batteries...

if leaving the 1st world it is highly advisable to use devices that can use AAs


but I've never been there

[Tippster]

Anyone have experience in the Darjeeling/ Sikkim region with electricity? Can I use my regular Canon recharger with just an outlet adapter? Also, should I just "invest" in one of these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G3KLPA/ref=wl_it_dp/105-1156866-6866008?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22G9UYLF9PJFX&colid=3VNSD7ZLH3AL9)?
http://www.india-travel-agents.com/india-guide/power-and-voltage.html

if your charger is switchable (or auto detects) between 120 and 240 then you should be OK. The 50cycles can shorten your battery life, however - don't ask me why.

We have found the best thing to use is an inverter plugged into your rental car. Presto - clean 60cycle 120 no matter where you are. The 100W ones are more than enough to power your charger. I do realise that you're not very likely to be driving in India, however.

Some good transformers/converters here: http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/elect.htm

[Pura Vida]

[QUOTE=Tippster;1367749

We have found the best thing to use is an inverter plugged into your rental car. Presto - clean 60cycle 120 no matter where you are. The 100W ones are more than enough to power your charger. I do realise that you're not very likely to be driving in India, however.
[/QUOTE]


An inverter was one of the best purchases I've ever made. Paid for itself many times over.

Yeah maybe not the best solution for India however. Investing in a battery grip is not a bad idea at all. You have the security of knowing you can run off non-rechargeable batteries if need be and they make shooting overall a bit nicer IMHO.

[MeatPuppet]

I've never been to India. But I have seen a lot of complaints on photography message boards about Air India flights. Apparently you will not be allowed to carry on the batteries. Electronics are fine as long as they don't have a power source in them. But no power sources at all are allowed in carry on luggage.

The last time I remember seeing a complaint about this was a year or two ago. So they might have changed their policy. It would be worth checking into before you get there.

An inverter is the way to go, and get at least one extra battery. Don't ever travel anywhere with just a single battery. You are asking for trouble doing that.

Also, try to find an inverter that has a fuse, and take several spares. I don't know how the power grid is in India but when I was in China there were random power surges that kept blowing the fuse in my inverter. Other people(who's inverters didn't have a fuse) had their inverters fried in the first couple of days and had to borrow an inverter or just go without, for most of the 3 1/2 week trip. We were in some out of the way places though. The larger cities were better than the rural areas.

[cj001f]

buy a bunch of spare batteries and bring them charged. go with copies if you need to save $. shut off the lcd and learn battery saving tips. AAs are not an advantage. most batteries sold in india wont power a digital device for more than 5 minutes - literally. if you can find good batteries youll have good power

chargers (no inverter needed - most chargers will support 240v just pring a plug adaptor) dont do fuckall good if theres no power - rural india has plenty of supply interruptions

srinagar was is the only airport i experienced with extreme paranoia - no batteries allowed in carryon. perhaps beause it is a war zone, almost. the rest of india will likely be fine unless there is some new terror. be aware they strictly enforce carryon limits 8kg last i checked

[yesIsaidyes]

Thanks all for the input - I bought the extra battery grip, which came with 2 extra batteries and I will have a AA option if all else goes to hell (you can take alot of pics in 5 minutes...). I need to look further into a converter, etc.

[cj001f]

this forum cracks me up

buy a $2 2 round pin adaptor at duty free

how are you planning on storing all the pictures you are taking?

[Tippster]

if your charger is switchable (or auto detects) between 120 and 240 then you should be OK.


chargers (no inverter needed - most chargers will support 240v just pring a plug adaptor) dont do fuckall good if theres no power - rural india has plenty of supply interruptions...


this forum cracks me up

buy a $2 2 round pin adaptor at duty free
Yeah - you funny... (and late.) :D:D:D

[cj001f]

(and late.)

thats what I get for working during the day :mad: