Twisting US plugs to Fit Au sockets (re: phone chargers)

murkywater on 17/08/2016 - 12:51

hi guys,

I was wondering if any of you guys have successfully twisted your US adapters to fit our sockets in Australia. I have a few Quick charge 2.0/3.0 chargers I bought from overseas, since it's almost impossible to find equivalent AU chargers (if you know where to buy them at a reasonable price, let me know).

Problem is, US -> AU adapters are either small and suck, or are massive and take up incredible amounts of space.

I was thinking about twisting my US Plugs. If it works, that should solve my issue.

Has anyone done this successfully before?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • dasher86 on 17/08/2016 - 13:03
    +1

    I've done this and wouldn't recommend it.

  • retiredfeline on 17/08/2016 - 13:07
    +1

    Once or twice. Only if the pins are supple enough, otherwise you risk cracking the plug or the device. So I don't recommend it. Buy one of those small cheap US to AU adapters from eBay. I got a set of 3 for 6 HKD while there, so should be in that range.

    • murkywater on 17/08/2016 - 13:09
      +1

      I have those, they're very loose and the charger always disconnects, leading to lots of frustration :S

      • retiredfeline on 17/08/2016 - 13:11
        +2

        Either spread the pins a bit or press them inwards and they should make better contact.

        • 18 on 17/08/2016 - 13:24
          +2

          or use sticky tap or blutack to connect em

        • murkywater on 17/08/2016 - 13:45
          +1

          The ones I got don't stay in the socket themselves, and the US plugs don't stay inside these adapters either. Totally useless IMO.

          I found some good ones which I'm ordering now (links below), will keep you guys informed.

        • inherentchoice on 17/08/2016 - 15:46
          +2

          @18: I've got an old one still sticky-taped together after 4 years.

      • dcuksuop on 17/08/2016 - 14:41
        +3

        Don't twist. I've tried tightening the cheap adapters, but they will loosen.
        I ended up using rubberbands and it's been working great.

        • Skywalklama on 18/08/2016 - 09:12

          I love this idea!! Rubber bands are one of life's essentials.

    • montorola on 17/08/2016 - 14:48
      +1

      Only if the pins are supple enough, otherwise you risk cracking the plug or the device

      Hmm, I wonder if you could use one pliers to hold the bottom of the pin while using another to twist diagonal?

      This would sort of brace the pin so you don't crack the casing at the root.

      Just a thought, dunno the practicality of it

  • Euphemistic on 17/08/2016 - 13:20
    +1

    I've done it on a charger for lights, but the plastic was not brittle. Would not recommend though, I started bending two chargers, now I've got one.

  • caramellokoala on 17/08/2016 - 13:32
    +5

    This is just plain stupid. You're going to end up leaving a gap between the wall socket and the plug just waiting for something to arc across the exposed prongs.

    • Stewardo on 18/08/2016 - 16:20

      And the insurance company will not payout, due to the evidence in the coroners report etc

  • murkywater on 17/08/2016 - 13:42
    +1

    I guess it's not recommended based on the responses here. :(

    I actually just came across a couple of nice US->AU adapters, which I'm buying now.

    http://www.itsdirect.com.au/products/North-America-US-to-Australia--L--Power-Adapter-Plug-[3621L]/view/detail/category_id/26/Product_ID/1703/sub_category/718/#.V7PcwTXprHE
    http://www.itsdirect.com.au/products/North-America-US-to-Australia-Power-Adapter-Plug-[3621]/view/detail/category_id/26/Product_ID/1693/sub_category/718/#.V7PcxTXprHE

    Hoping these work out well.

    • cheesecactus on 18/09/2016 - 20:32

      What an interesting design.

      This is the one I use: http://mdrelectronics.com/ProductDisplay.asp?PID=1353

      Really good converters, nice and small too. Shake it as hard as i can and my american samsung charger wont fall out. Real solid fit and all round well built.

      I have no idea where i bought it unfortunately. Their website appears to accept orders, but i cant tell if the 220 (~4aud) inr quoted figure for shipping is to australia or india, so idk.

      (note: it does have a power led on it, so maybe not the best for a bedroom)

  • derek324 on 17/08/2016 - 14:26
    +1

    Good find! I will be ordering a couple of right angle models myself. KORJO also makes high quality adapters, but they are large, and all their travel accessories are terribly overpriced.

  • Cyphar on 17/08/2016 - 14:38
    +1

    Just buy a converter?

  • altomic on 17/08/2016 - 14:55
    +2

    I've done. no problem.

    otherwise aliexpress adpater

    US$0.68 delivered http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hight-Quality-Power-Adapter-T…

  • backpaqer on 18/08/2016 - 10:24

    I've done it ensuring that the plugpack can handle 240VAC input otherwise you may just hear a pop sound and then it's useless for you.

  • cimrak on 18/08/2016 - 13:40
    +1

    I've done this a couple of ways, assuming that the power bricks are autoswitching 110v-240v types;

    1. Test-fitted a normal adapter like many others here have mentioned. Once I found a good fit (physical & electrical), I then superglue the adapter for a more permanent fix than rubberbands/bluetack/stickytape etc.

    2. Purchased a US-style powerboard and put an adapter on this. All my US-based plugs then go into the powerboard with no further adapters required.

  • Lysergic404 on 17/03/2018 - 15:44

    Yeah I've done this before but the other way around. I twisted an American adapter plug to fit in an Australian socket and it works fine for me..
    But just like everyone else, i do not reccomend doing this as it may cause damage it is best to purchase a proper decent adapter..

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