I think I killed my MH-18a charger

Cliff.Barnes

Cliff.Barnes

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I bought a Nikon D90 in the US of A a few weeks ago.

The other day I thought I'd be safe enough just plugging the US cable into a US to EU power adapter here in Spain but the charger just blinked once at me then stopped. :(

I took it to a shop and tried changing the US cable for a European cable but it's still not blinking so it looks like I'll have to go out and buy a new MH-18a charger.

Thought I'd mention it on here first in case anyone had any cheaper fixes.
 
That's strange! Most electrical goods are able to accept most input voltages from 110-240V! What does it say on the bottom?

It may have an internal fuse (I know my 1D charger does - it's broken before) which has blown!
 
purpleclouds said:
That's strange! Most electrical goods are able to accept most input voltages from 110-240V! What does it say on the bottom?

It may have an internal fuse (I know my 1D charger does - it's broken before) which has blown!
Click to expand...

It says:

Input: 120V~60Hz 0.25A
Output: 8.4V -- 0.9A

Foreign
Input: 100-240V~
50-60Hz 0.25A
Output: 8.4V -- 0.9A
 
Cliff.Barnes said:
I bought a Nikon D90 in the US of A a few weeks ago.

The other day I thought I'd be safe enough just plugging the US cable into a US to EU power adapter here in Spain but the charger just blinked once at me then stopped. :(

I took it to a shop and tried changing the US cable for a European cable but it's still not blinking so it looks like I'll have to go out and buy a new MH-18a charger.

Thought I'd mention it on here first in case anyone had any cheaper fixes.
Click to expand...

The MH-18A takes 100-240V, 50-60Hz, so you will not have blown it by plugging it in.
Are you sure the power outlet works, the power cord is plugged securely into the charger and that your adapter is working?
 
Cliff.Barnes said:
It says:

Input: 120V~60Hz 0.25A
Output: 8.4V -- 0.9A

Foreign
Input: 100-240V~
50-60Hz 0.25A
Output: 8.4V -- 0.9A
Click to expand...

Something could have blown on the circuitry, but it won't be because you plugged it in, in Spain.

Maybe something that'd be fixable under warranty - or, if you are going to just buy a new one, then there would be no harm in opening it up for a nosey :)
 
jomike said:
The MH-18A takes 100-240V, 50-60Hz, so you will not have blown it by plugging it in.
Are you sure the power outlet works, the power cord is plugged securely into the charger and that your adapter is working?
Click to expand...

I've tried it in a few different power outlets that work so that's not the problem.
It's plugged in securely - it even makes a faint 'electrical' noise when I hold it to my ear - it just doesn't light up or charge the battery (I left it in for a few hours just in case it was just the bulb that didn't work.

The adapter works okay. It has to be the base unit as it wouldn't work in a shop using a european cable instead of the US one.
 
purpleclouds said:
Something could have blown on the circuitry, but it won't be because you plugged it in, in Spain.

Maybe something that'd be fixable under warranty - or, if you are going to just buy a new one, then there would be no harm in opening it up for a nosey :)
Click to expand...

I might try to do that although I dont have a screwdriver to fit the small hexagonal screws.
It also says "no serviceable parts inside" on the back although they might just be lying.
 
Cliff.Barnes said:
I might try to do that although I dont have a screwdriver to fit the small hexagonal screws.
It also says "no serviceable parts inside" on the back although they might just be lying.
Click to expand...

My 1D charger says exactly the same thing... however I fixed it by replacing a 12p fuse. A new charger would have set me back £150 - £200!! :eek:

A hair clip or something might just turn it enough... have a play :D Otherwise find a pound shop or something, they usually have odd little tool sets with different screwheads in :)
 
jomike said:
The screws are Torx T10, but you will probably find an allen key fits as well.
Click to expand...

I just tried, but the allen keys don't go in far enough due to the shape of the hole. I think I'll take is to a bloke who owns an 'electrodomesticos' nearby.
Would be nice if it was just a fuse.

Cheers to all for the help.
 
I took it to an electrician today who opened it up and tested the fuse. It wasn't broken so it looks like it has dies in some other way.

I have since found a note that came with my universal adapter that mentioned not using it with different voltages. Weird, as I thought that's what they were for. :suspect:

Off to find somewhere I can buy a new charger now. Very annoying.
 
Cliff.Barnes said:
...I have since found a note that came with my universal adapter that mentioned not using it with different voltages..... :suspect:.
Click to expand...

haha...quite - maybe 'Universal' in the US sense - in that most Americans are unaware of any other countries outside the Continental United States anyway...maybe it just works in Canada and Mexico...:lol:
 
Arkady said:
haha...quite - maybe 'Universal' in the US sense - in that most Americans are unaware of any other countries outside the Continental United States anyway...maybe it just works in Canada and Mexico...:lol:
Click to expand...

Come on now, that's hardly fair. A lot of them of heard of Hawaii too, it's on TV.
 
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