shooting in India need electrical advice

dlang

dlang

Well-known member
So this is my first time shooting over seas (based out of New York) and looks like India is 240v 50hertz cycle power and different plugins and all that good stuff. I've never dealt with this before so I was wondering if anyone has some advice as far as converters etc...that I will need to power lights, camera (hvx200) etc...thanks in advance for the help.
 
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You can buy converters that will work in India for smaller lights and HVX gear, but they will get very hot, and you should bring gaffers tape to sometimes tape the converter to the socket (as it's bulky and can fall). You'll see.

Don't get frustrated at the power situation too - it will be a challenge. If you can bring extra batteries you should.

Best buy has the converters you are looking for - they are around 20 bucks. You should be able to run your drive, power your camera, charge batteries etc.

You should (if you have a mac) also buy a converter for your laptop (from a mac store),
as chances are it's three prong and that will be a problem (as most of the converters don't have three prong capabilities).

For a converter that you can plug a 3 prong into -- I'm at a loss.

Any larger lights I think you should just leave at home and find another way around it - but if you can't, then try to rent it from a place in India. Where are you going? Everything will depend on that.

Kevin
 
Kevin,
Thanks so much for the direction. We will be going to various places including Trivandrum, Hyderabad, and either Chennai or Delhi. I did manage to read on the back of the panny charger that is was 120 to 240v 50/60 Hertz, so looks like all I need to buy is an edison to standard india plug right? I noticed my Marshall monitor power supply read that as well. The lights sound like they are going to be the biggest problem. I'll see if there are rentals locally. Any other thoughts?
 
For most professional lighting units you simply need an adapter for the plug AND you must get 220/240v bulbs!!!! The housings can take the power just fine, but the bulbs will pop if you don't get the correct kind.

(I'm talking about Arri & moles, etc.)
 
Thanks Ryan...i looked on my altmans pro lines and yes they have the 220/240v option for a bulb. Great news. I think I may be covered at this point. Thanks so much guys appreciate the help.
 
Trivandrum is incredible - not just the temple: get down to the beach during the day and watch the women drying their insanely bright saris, holding them out like horizontal sails.
 
dlang said:
So this is my first time shooting over seas (based out of New York) and looks like India is 240v 50hertz cycle power and different plugins and all that good stuff. I've never dealt with this before so I was wondering if anyone has some advice as far as converters etc...that I will need to power lights, camera (hvx200) etc...thanks in advance for the help.
Click to expand...

Most power adaptors these days will accept 220V/50Hz power. It is just the plug.

Here's a couple of Wikipedia articles on the subject. You can find probably on line any number of kits that every type of receptical you may need.

Here's a hint... take a couple of three way plugs that have no 'extension' cord, look like all plastic bodies, (couldn't find a picture online...), but basically you can use those for your low watt devices, like computer, camera, and other small accessories.

Buy the local versions for bigger equipment... research and find the equivalent to Home Depot where you're going...

Description of what the plugs look like:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets

Where what type of plug is used:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs,_voltages_and_frequencies
 
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