Using power inverter with Canon battery chargers (in Tanzania)?

[Craig Markham]

For my upcoming 3-week Tanzania trip, I purchased a Xantrex pocket inverter 100, that will convert 12 VDC car battery power to 110 VAC/60hz. However, as with most inverters of this size, the output is "modified sine wave", i.e., the AC is 60hz square wave, rather than smooth sine wave.

I belatedly discovered that Canon advises NOT to power their chargers or power adapters with a power inverter. I asked Canon why, and they responded that the square-wave output causes overheating in the charger, and could potentially destroy it. Canon does offer 12 VDC chargers for over $100 a pop (one each for G9 and Vixia camcorder), and an expensive 12 V cable for the 1D MKIII charger.

I plan to do most of my recharges (whenever available) at our lodges and camps from 220 VAC outlets. However, if any of my night stays cannot provide AC, I may need to recharge from the vehicle while on the road. I'm carrying an extra battery for each device, so I do have enough backup for 1 to 4 days' work without recharge, depending on conditions.

Questions:
1. Specific to N Tanzania: is 220 VAC so readily available at most safari camps and lodges that it is unnecessary to carry an inverter for recharging on the road? My stays will be Tarangire Tented Lodge Serena Lodge (Ngorongoro), Serengeti Ndutu Lodge, Kisima Ngeda tented camp, village stay (4-5 days, AC availability unknown), Manta Reef Lodge (Pemba).
2. Have any of you tried using a power inverter to power Canon chargers?
3. If so, any problems?
4. Bottom line: Do you think it worth taking my 3/4 lb (350 gm) inverter & surge protector combo, or is it likely to be extra unused baggage? I don't want to get stuck with dead batteries, but I don't want to carry extra junk either.

I'd appreciate advice from those of you who have experience with the inverter/charger issue or with the availability of 220 VAC at overnight venues in Tanz.

[Andy Biggs]

Questions:
1. Specific to N Tanzania: is 220 VAC so readily available at most safari camps and lodges that it is unnecessary to carry an inverter for recharging on the road? My stays will be Tarangire Tented Lodge Serena Lodge (Ngorongoro), Serengeti Ndutu Lodge, Kisima Ngeda tented camp, village stay (4-5 days, AC availability unknown), Manta Reef Lodge (Pemba).
2. Have any of you tried using a power inverter to power Canon chargers?
3. If so, any problems?
4. Bottom line: Do you think it worth taking my 3/4 lb (350 gm) inverter & surge protector combo, or is it likely to be extra unused baggage? I don't want to get stuck with dead batteries, but I don't want to carry extra junk either.

Craig, first off you are going to have an excellent time in Tanzania. I spend a ton of time there, and I am completely addicted.

So here are some quick answers to your questions.

1) some of the lodges you are staying at do not have power in the rooms, such as Ndutu Safari Lodge. There will be power strips up at the bar, however, and I have never had bad power from any lodges.
2) I have never had issues with using a 75W or greater inverter to power Canon batteries. I have, however, had some issues with Apple laptop chargers, and I have found them to be more sensitive. Yes, I have blown a few up this way. I have no idea why, as I am not well learned in electricity.
3) see above.
4) I would find a smaller inverter, like something that is around 70 or 80watts. You don't need any more than that, unless you are powering up a laptop. Some laptops, like the Apple Macbook Pro, use 85W or more. I am a big fan of getting back to my lodge will full batteries, leaving more time to go and enjoy a cold beer around a camp fire.

I hope this helps!

Andy

[James Shadle]

Craig,
Make sure you have an international AC adapter kit. Most chargers will charge 110 or 220V, however the AC receptacles in other countries can be very different than those in the US.

To get a true sine wave inverter you are talking big bucks.
I have never had any problems with modified sine wave inverters.

James

[Craig Markham]

Much appreciated, James. I am packing a 2-rounded-prong adapter to fit Tanz electrical outlets, and all my chargers are 110/220 VAC (no transformer needed). With the inverter and car 12V plug, I should be ready to charge in the field as well. I think I'll monitor the charger temperatures while using the inverter, and possibly charge in 1/2-hour rotations when ambient temperatures are high. Between your reply and Andy's, I feel cautiously optimistic that I'll be able to keep my power supplies charged and running.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Craig,
I came across some solar options while searching for it. I carry three batteries for my 1DII. Along with the 40D and its charger etc, it becomes a pain. So i am looking at solar options. Stumbled across this link. Haven't tried it yet, but thinking about it. See the link:
http://store.sundancesolar.com/poror120waso.html

I was recently trying some converters and my laptop charger got heated fast. However, no unfortunate incidents happened. :-)
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Craig Markham]

Thank you, Sabyasachi. I've done a little investigation of solar solutions myself. Sundance Solar, as you suggest, looks quite interesting, particularly for extended field work in remote locations where other power sources are unavailable. For the cost, however, existing recharge sources for my Tanzania trip should satisfy my needs. Also, with solar, a power inverter is still necessary unless your charger accepts DC inputs.

So far, here is how I plan to handle my power supplies in Tanzania:

1. 1D MkIII -- the LC-E4 charger accepts 12/24V input via special cable, as well as 110/220 VAC; I'm carrying 2 battery packs that deliver over 1000 RAW images per charge, so I'm sure I can go 2-5 days at a time without recharge. Since the charger costs over $500 to replace, buying the $45 DC cable is an easy decision over taking my chances with an inverter. Since this is my prime camera, I want to have it operational at all times, no matter what.

2. Canon G9 camera and Canon Vixia HG-21 camcorder -- I'm taking 2 extra batteries for each. The chargers are 120/220 VAC only. The G9 is for backup, wide angle shots, underwater (with UW case) and places where I want my photo equipment to be inconspicuous. With the modest level of use I anticipate, I should be OK with recharging at lodges. If I run out of batteries on one of these, I can use the other as backup.

3. The Zantrex power inverter, if I take it, will only serve as emergency power backup. Now that I've ordered the DC cable, I doubt that the inverter will really be necessary. More space; less paraphenalia.

4. For backup, instead of a laptop, I'm carrying a Wolverine ESP 160GB data storage unit, weighing about 200gm plus 1 extra battery. With plenty of 8GB cards in hand, I should be able to recharge safely at lodges.

4. Not to forget: a [2-round prong adapter for Tanzania AC outlets] Correction: Per comments from Andy Biggs and Roger, below, the adapter for Tanzania should be the UK 3-prong with square pins; The old round-prong plug has been phased out.

Thanks again, Sabyasachi, for the solar power reference; I'll keep it bookmarked for future reference.

-- Craig

[Andy Biggs]

Craig-

Just a clarification. Tanzania uses the UK style 3-prong outlets, not a round 2-prong type.

[Roger Clark]

So far, here is how I plan to handle my power supplies in Tanzania:

1. 1D MkIII -- the LC-E4 charger accepts 12/24V input via special cable, as well as 110/220 VAC; I'm carrying 2 battery packs that deliver over 1000 RAW images per charge, so I'm sure I can go 2-5 days at a time without recharge. Since the charger costs over $500 to replace, buying the $45 DC cable is an easy decision over taking my chances with an inverter. Since this is my prime camera, I want to have it operational at all times, no matter what.

Craig,
I generally take 3 batteries for my 1DII when I go to Tanzania. If one battery develops a problem, then you will not have a backup.

2. Canon G9 camera and Canon Vixia HG-21 camcorder -- I'm taking 2 extra batteries for each. The chargers are 120/220 VAC only. The G9 is for backup, wide angle shots, underwater (with UW case) and places where I want my photo equipment to be inconspicuous. With the modest level of use I anticipate, I should be OK with recharging at lodges. If I run out of batteries on one of these, I can use the other as backup.

How long does the vixia camcorder last? I bought a vixia HF100 HD camera for my upcoming Tanzania trip and the batteries last only about an hour. So I'll take several batteries.

4. For backup, instead of a laptop, I'm carrying a Wolverine ESP 160GB data storage unit, weighing about 200gm plus 1 extra battery. With plenty of 8GB cards in hand, I should be able to recharge safely at lodges.

Does the wolverine have a display for you to review your images and evaluate focus, or will you do that on the camera. My concern is evaluating dust. It is a very dusty environment, so oyu must check it often. It is also a rough environment so I want a good screen to check that my equipment is working correctly and my technique is good. On my last trip my 500 f/4 started making funny noises and I thought the beating of the dirt roads was damaging it. It turned out it was OK.

4. Not to forget: a 2-round prong adapter for Tanzania AC outlets.

Plugs in Tanzania are 3-prong British style. At Ndutu everyone must plug into one outlet in the lobby. It can become a mess of tangled wires. I suggest a small power strip that you plug your adapter into and then use standard American plugs to plug your chargers into the strip. You may not find enough outlets if you don't have your own power strip. You can also get the todd-plug at:
http://www.gustafsonphotosafri.com/Products.html
This also shows the British style plugs. (I have no affiliation to Todd).

I have not been to a tented camp, only lodges.

Good luck with your trip.

Roger

[Craig Markham]

Andy and Roger, thanks for correcting me about the outlet adapter. You saved me some major heartburn! My Lonely Planet Tanzania guide says UK 3-prong and the 2-round prong. However, I learned only today that the 2-prong plug only fits an old UK version with 3 rounded prongs that's been phased out.

Roger, thank you for your other suggestions as well. Perhaps I should take a deep breath and spring for another MkIII battery? The 1D MkIII's LP-E4 battery pack does have a prodigious capacity (and an equally prodigious price!) and recharges quickly.

For my Vixia HG-21 camcorder (w/ 120GB HD), using the included BP-808 battery, the stated max recording time is 80 to 95 minutes, depending on recording mode. The larger BP-819, gives 170-190 minutes.

The Wolverine ESP 5160 does have a 352x240 LCD zoomable display, and reads most image formats, including RAW. I'll probably do most of my image checks on-camera since that has better resolution. Thanks for the reminder to check frequently for dust.

Enjoy your trip too!
Best,
Craig