Which routers can be powered in foreign countries

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 3

I am looking at the Motorola VT2142 and Linksys WRTP54G and Dlink VWR, but I cannot find any specs on the power supplies if they work in foreign countries, such as Australia, at 230VAC 50Hz, the way laptop power supplies do. I want to get a US number and router and then place in Australia where my inlaws live. Any suggestions or owners of these routers can provide the power supply specs? The manufacturers of these devices are slow to respond and not helpful in general. It is the 50Hz to 60Hz AC conversion that I am worried about damaging the router.

Posts: 120 · Member of the Week Joined: Aug 30, 2006 Posts: 120

I think all devices come with switchable power supplies now. I have the vt2442 and the dlink vta and both do. On the back it states:

AC 100-240V ~ 0.5A 50-60Hz

So they'll will work fine overseas, just make sure you have the physical plug adapter to fit in the sockets.. assuming they're different in Oz.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 3

The Linksys WRTP54G only takes 110VAC with ground pin on the power supply. I got a sales associate in Fry's Electronics in CA to open a box for the Linksys WRTP54G. The ground pin prevents you from using a step down transformer (I looked at about 5 different voltage step down transformers) which none of them allows a ground pin.
Cry

Still looking for an appropriate router for Austrailia 230VAC 50Hz. I'll have to try to find a local supplier for the VT2442 suggested.

Does the VT2442 have a ground pin on the power supply?

Posts: 120 · Member of the Week Joined: Aug 30, 2006 Posts: 120

I've pm'd you a picture of the adapter for the vt2442. I would expect it to be indentical for the 2142.

Notice the cord to the 3 prong plug is actually detachable from the power supply. Therefore, you might be able to simply get a new cord to fit the ozzie electrical outlets.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 3

I read some bad reviews (amazon.com) on wireless routers dropping the wireless broadcast while serving the Voip. Anyone suggest a good wireless router option that can take 230/240VAC or only has 2 prongs on the AC adaptor that I can step down the voltage overseas.
Anyone have the D-link VWR that can send me a picture of the specs on the power supply and the plug?
Smile

Posts: 120 · Member of the Week Joined: Aug 30, 2006 Posts: 120

I'd recommend any linux based router. The following are recommended by 3rd party firmware such as DD-WRT:

http://www.buffalotech.com/documents/pdf/WHR-G54S_DS.pdf

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1133202177241&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

Nice thing about the buffalo is that is comes with a switchable power supply out of the box, so you're all set to go. No power conversion needed and it's pretty cheap to buy. Around $40 USD. You can buy it directly from them, or several online retailers:

http://www.buffalotech.com/wheretobuy/index.php

I have an older wrt54gs version 2.0, and it has never dropped the wireless connection once. Not even in the 4 months I've had Vonage.

Posts: 72 · Full Forum Member Joined: Mar 21, 2006 Posts: 72

ChrisOlsen wrote:

It is the 50Hz to 60Hz AC conversion that I am worried about damaging the router.

I have never ever heard of any 60Hz appliance being damaged by operating at 50Hz or vice-versa. A much bigger concern is the voltage. If something is only designed to operate at 110-120V, plugging it into a 230V outlet could be really spectacular.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject:

I believe the Motorola is the only one which comes with a 120v/230v adapter. The D-link and Linksys devices most likely come with a 110v-only adapter. The older PAP2 adapters (non V2) ship with very compact 100v-240v adapters.