Effective travel-size Surge Protector for both 110-240v?

[plr66]

This came up in another thread some weeks ago, but the only suggestion was an item made for a computer comection rather than a regular US electric plug. Anyone have any ideas? All I have found on Amazon and locally are a couple that are a nice small size, but are not dual voltage. With all the weight of the CPAP & supplies, I really do not want to carry a converter as well, if possible.

[Bearded_One]

If your CPAP works on any voltage between 100 and 240, a 240 volt surge suppressor would be adequate for any input voltage up to 240 volts. You shouldn't need a separate 120 volt suppressor.

[plr66]

If your CPAP works on any voltage between 100 and 240, a 240 volt surge suppressor would be adequate for any input voltage up to 240 volts. You shouldn't need a separate 120 volt suppressor.

I was thinking that the protector device itself needed to be adjusted to 240 so the protector wouldn't be blown out if it had been made to be plugged into 110 only.

[Gerald]

PLR.....

Back in the early 1980's, I was building my own surge protectors from plans I got from Byte Magazine....so, I learned how they work. Around 1990, I read an interesting article describing problems that an Ivy League college was having with bad wiring....in old buildings.....that caused surge and spike problems.

In that article, I learned about a product called "ZeroSurge".....an "industrial strength" surge protector. Over the years, I've purchased 7 or 8 of them....and I won't dare use anything else. They protect my Unix Server that runs my warehouse.....and the computers that I use at home. More than once, they've saved my butt.

I suggest that you contact them at zerosurge.com and let them know what you're trying to accomplish. They are nice people....and the owner will take the time to try and help you. There's no B.S. with these people....and they don't use "weasel words".

Common surge protectors that we buy at Lowe's, Circuit City, and other similar places....just don't do what we think they do. One surge....and they're "done". After one of them has been hit, it's no longer effective......and there's no way for us to know that it's no longer protecting our equipment.

If you're serious about surge protection, consult with ZeroSurge....and learn what you need to know. Time well spent....!

Gerald

[plr66]

If you're serious about surge protection, consult with ZeroSurge....and learn what you need to know. Time well spent....!

Gerald

Thanks for your suggestion, Gerald. I have just written an email to this company. I actually have been used to the idea that surge protectors are self-sacrificing units, so was not so concerned with that as with the dual voltage and weight issues. I'm banking on the fact that lightning won't strike twice during short 1-2 week travel overseas....

[Goofproof]

Another thing to be concerned with, for a device to be effective, the line you plug it into has to be correctly grounded. Overseas and even here, if you haven't checked them, they may not be correct. Jim

[Craig-Tx]

I know that it is always best to protect your valuable life saving equipment, but I personally don't bother when traveling.

The M-Series CPAP's power is provided by a AC - 12V DC converter. This power supply can accept anything from 100V to about 250V, so by design, it can handle significant voltage fluctuations. Also, any moderate surge will likely damage the power supply before anything else. Of course a significant surge can still damage the CPAP, but anything that significant will likely pass right through your basic surge suppressor; unless it's a REALLY good one.

Like I said, I personally don't bother packing one. And I've used my CPAP in S. Korea, Indonesia, and Turkey without problems. And Indonesia isn't exactly known for stable power.

But perhaps I was just lucky.

-craig

[plr66]

Another thing to be concerned with, for a device to be effective, the line you plug it into has to be correctly grounded. Overseas and even here, if you haven't checked them, they may not be correct. Jim

Okay Jim. I need diagrams and will try to read your lips, so please try running that by me again. What exactly should I check for correct grounding? And how will I know the grounding is correct? Are you talking about plugging the xPAP directly into a wall outlet, or are you speaking about plugging in a surge protector? I'm still unclear about whether the surge protector itself needs to be dual voltage.

Craig, I wish I could just wing it, but with a $1000 machine and no chance to replace it for the duration of travel if it is blown, I just really have trouble risking the chance...

[Paul56]

I doubt anything travel sized will provide adequate protection.

http://www.surgex.com

The cheapest one... SA15... is about ~$500.

Cheaper to purchase a cheap xPAP and toss out when it gets fried? (shrug)

[Goofproof]

What I was concerned about was to effectally operate the suppressor has to be grounded, as it's job it to take the surge and short it to ground instead of letting it into the equiptment.

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/ ... G75:DP1915, here is one that from a good company, the Triplite 2900 J unit is also good. But they have to be grounded, our standards in the U.S. can differ out in the world. As bad as this country is going I have no desire to go to another one, after logging 20,000 air miles in 1966, I don't want to be that far away from the U.S. again. At least I got the round trip ticket, 50,000 good men didn't. Jim

[billbolton]

What exactly should I check for correct grounding? And how will I know the grounding is correct?

Most countries have low cost devices like this available.....



... which will quickly tell you if a wall outlet is correctly wired, including have a ground connected.

Cheers,

Bill

[plr66]

Thought I'd dredge up this thread again, as I have just found a reasonably sized surge protector that might effectively protect my apap from possible damage when I travel.
http://www.magellans.com/store/Adaptor_ ... han=Search
The CS rep told me today that it is already grounded (has the pin included), and can be used in any country--not just Europe as the name implies. Does anyone here have doubts about this item? And Bill, I wondered if your device (above post) would be necessary with it.

[Wonderingwoman]

What should I use if staying in the good ole USA? Should have one in the bedroom at home as well?

I'm really learning a lot from this board.

Now back to reading

[plr66]

What should I use if staying in the good ole USA? Should have one in the bedroom at home as well?

I'm really learning a lot from this board.

Now back to reading

There is another thread entitled "Surge Protection" dated 10/13/08 which goes into extensive detail about home protection. This thread is specifically about travel devices.

[Wonderingwoman]

Thanks, I will search that one up

I appreciate the response