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Topic: Electric Toothbrushes  (Read 2497 times)

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Electric Toothbrushes
« on: September 21, 2005, 05:51:37 PM »
I am totally attached to my OralB electric toothbrush.  I want to bring it with me but would it be better for me to just purchase one there with a UK plug?  Does anyone know if the typical voltage for this is 110 or 220?  Most of my things don't need a converter such as my straight iron, cell phone charger, ipod charger, just an adapter plug.  I want to know if anyone has brought over their electric toothbrush and can use an adapter plug only, not a converter.  Let me know, thanks.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2005, 05:55:21 PM »
We run our electric toothbrush off a $20 travel voltage converter from Radio Shack.  I wouldn't just change the plug you'd probably burn it out or worse.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2005, 07:55:15 PM »
I assume you are making the move to the UK?  Does the place you're moving to have a shaver socket?  If so, you should be able to plug it into the
115 volts side.  You might need to get a little plug thing to put onto the end of your US plug.

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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2005, 10:29:41 PM »
Are we talking about a corded unit, or a battery one with charger? 

If it's corded then it's most unlikely to be suitable for British 240-volt supplies.   

However, many (but not all) modern chargers for cordless devices use a type of power supply which will accept a wide range of voltages, so it may be usable "as is."   If you look on the unit you should find a label (or molded, stamped equivalent) which gives the details you need. 

If it says something like "90 - 250V, 50/60Hz" then it will work here with just a plug adapter.   If it's marked "120V 60Hz" then you would need to run via a transformer to drop the voltage.

Quote
Does the place you're moving to have a shaver socket?  If so, you should be able to plug it into the 115 volts side.  You might need to get a little plug thing to put onto the end of your US plug

Shaver outlets will definitely supply enough power for this application.  Not all of them have a 120V option though -- some are only 240V.     Most of the shaver units which do offer 120V as well have an outlet which will accept a flat-blade American plug without the need for an adapter.

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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2005, 07:16:02 AM »
It is the corded Braun Oral B electric toothbrush.  I don't have the box anymore, and I've tried looking on the unit itself for the voltage information, but can't find it.  I hope I can just use an adapter plug, but then again I don't want to burn it out.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2005, 11:11:27 AM »
Corded versions tend to just have a motor which is wired for one voltage range, so it's most likely 120V only.    Whatever you do, don't just try it on 240V without being sure, or you could just burn out the motor.  So options are probably:

1.  Bring it with you and hope to get a place with a shaver outlet which includes a 120V output.

2.  Buy a small converter transformer to drop the voltage down.

3.  Look for an equivalent 240V version when you get here.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2005, 02:15:43 PM »
I have a Sonic toothbrush that I brought from the states and it's only 110v. But I've been able to charge it with no problem using a transformer and obviously a plug adapter.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2005, 09:30:35 PM »
Big problem with my beloved toothbrush.  Brought it over here, bought a shaver socket for it, doesn't charge.  Tried the voltage converter, doesn't charge.  Tried just using the adapter plug, doesn't charge.  I need it to work here, any suggestions?  Where can I buy an equivalent in London with the proper voltage???
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2005, 09:53:44 PM »
They sell OralB electric toothbrushes here.  It sounds far more simple to just buy a new one.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2005, 10:16:22 PM »
You can find them in Boots for about £20, I believe that's how much mine was.  They can go quite a few days, possibly close to a week before they completely run out of charge assuming 2 brushes per day.  I tend to charge it at least every 3-4 days, though.

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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2005, 10:56:48 PM »
Brought it over here, bought a shaver socket for it, doesn't charge.

I'm not quite clear as to what you actually did for this first trial.  Do you mean you bought a plug adapter to just connect to a regular 3-prong wall outlet?    Something like this:




Or do you mean you tried plugging in to a special shaver outlet in a bathroom?


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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2005, 08:58:34 PM »
Paul 1966,

that is exactly what I bought, I do not have a shaver outlet in my bathroom.  Should I buy a special one?



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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2005, 10:43:09 PM »
O.K., that's a standard adapter which does not alter the voltage.

Did you check the markings on the toothbrush first to see if it's suitable for use on 240 volts?   
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2005, 06:51:16 PM »
I can't find it anywhere on the unit itself, and unfortunately I don't have the box anymore.  I may just go buy a new one at boots.  Shucks.
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Re: Electric Toothbrushes
« Reply #14 on: October 21, 2005, 09:46:48 PM »
I can't find it anywhere on the unit itself, and unfortunately I don't have the box anymore.  I may just go buy a new one at boots.  Shucks.

Unfortunately, if the unit was designed only for 120V, your first trial of connecting it directly to 240V will most likely have damaged it, so it will no longer work even when connected to the correct 120V supply.     

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