ALDI Travel Adaptor - Potential Hazard

Almost Banned on 16/08/2017 - 16:52
Last edited 16/08/2017 - 17:20 by 1 other user

I bought the Aldi/Bauhn travel adaptor last month when it was available because I had a trip coming up.

I was kinda excited to give it a go and tried to set it up as soon as I got to my room in Vietnam.
When I plugged it in it made some popping noises, blew the fuses in my hotel room, and smelled like burning.
Of course, when I told reception that my power was out I acted like it was all a mystery - but that power board was dangerous. I then had to carry it around with me for a week until I finished my holiday. On the upside, while I had to wait in line at a checkout for a refund, they gave me one without a receipt no problems.

I just thought people should know since I couldn't comment on the expired deal.

Electrical & Electronics

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Comments

  • Nutrino on 16/08/2017 - 17:03

    More info please, are just talking about the adaptor that just changed the plug? Or some usb power adaptor?.

  • John Kimble on 16/08/2017 - 17:05
    +1

    Are you sure it was the adapter and not what you plugged into it?

    Eg

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/323830

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/318713

    • Almost Banned on 16/08/2017 - 17:07
      +1

      lol - no, it was only my laptop.
      No special modifications.

      • Beanvee on 16/08/2017 - 17:15

        Was your laptops power bricked rated for the voltage and frequency Vietnam uses?

        • scrimshaw on 16/08/2017 - 17:16
          +1

          laptop power bricks are usable world-wide, they are switching power supplies. The same goes for modern computer atx power supplies.

        • Beanvee on 16/08/2017 - 17:18

          @scrimshaw: How certain are you that that's universally true? I swear I've seen bricks that are only 220-240.

        • scrimshaw on 16/08/2017 - 17:20
          +1

          @enceladus94:

          It would have to be a very old laptop, like earlier than 2010. Most modern notebooks nowadays should have transformers that are rated to accept both 110 volts and 220 volts.

          I would say the Aldi adapter is probably a dud unit.

        • Beanvee on 16/08/2017 - 18:03

          @scrimshaw: Ah fair enough

      • retiredfeline on 16/08/2017 - 17:25

        You could have got an plug adaptor for VN to AU there to continue to use your laptop. Probably a fault inside the board. That board looks like just a extension board with a SMPS for providing 5V to the USB sockets.

  • Almost Banned on 16/08/2017 - 17:06

    Its this one https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/315070

    • battler on 16/08/2017 - 17:41

      just used one of these extensively through Thailand, Cambodia & Malaysia (& Australia). No probs at all.
      same item bought 2 years ago, not from your link.

  • yessum on 16/08/2017 - 17:08

    Did you find out if it was a faulty item or if it was the product itself? Was anything plugged into it when you plugged the adaptor into the outlet?

  • Nutrino on 16/08/2017 - 17:09

    I see now, what voltage did the adaptor say it supports?

  • retiredfeline on 16/08/2017 - 17:18

    Just bad luck you got a dud. Next time try things here to check for issues before going overseas. Not just power adaptors but all sorts of things: phones, cameras, USB sticks, charging cables, etc etc.

  • whooah1979 on 16/08/2017 - 17:53
    +1

    Op, are you sure the item can take other voltages? Some places in Vn still use 127v.

  • aussieprepper on 16/08/2017 - 18:36
    +1

    The socket at the hotel could of been faulty?

  • Almost Banned on 16/08/2017 - 19:22

    Guys - I am just letting people know to be careful with these units.
    To clear a few things up - it was not a problem with the laptop. After the transformer blew up I found a plug in the room that would take an Aussie plug and it worked fine. I also plugged it in at another hotel using a local plug adapter - all fine.
    Equally it was not a voltage issue for the same reason.
    As for the adapter - it was advertised as 'universal' and had plugs that fit throughout SE Asia.
    I am prepared to accept that I just got a dud one.

    • aussieprepper on 16/08/2017 - 20:06

      Is it a step down plug? Sorry i am not sure of the specs i remember seeing the plug for sale.
      Not much can go wrong with them so its weird it must have been shorting out. Meaning positive and negative where touching internally which would cause the RCD to trip.

    • whooah1979 on 17/08/2017 - 17:33

      the transformer
      the adapter

      you post is confusing. what transformer? what adapter?

    • whooah1979 on 17/08/2017 - 17:36

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/315070 this is an adaptor, not a transformer a.k.a converter. however, it does convert 230/240v (read the label) to 5v dc.

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