Attention Vonage Users

[poorfarang]

I just got my Vonage kit shipped form the USA. I got the Linksys WRT54G wireless setup with 2 phone ports. I went out and bought a converter for 110-220 so I could use it without frying the router. THe power resets every 10 seconds or so, so I assumed it was because of unstable thai electricity. I went out and bought a UPS batter backup to stableize the power and make the connection more constant but im still having troubles. Im guessing my USA power block for the router is just no good and I need to find a real 220 adapter for the system, or maybe one from the UK.

How did you set yours up?

Also, I have True adsl 2500/512 and have been told I might need to upgrade to the business dsl to get better quality, what are your expireices?

[lopburi3]

Exactly what did you buy? You need to convert 230(220)v to 115(110)v and that is normally done with a transformer with the side marked 220v plugged into the wall and the 110v output feeding your US device and the transformer having a wattage or VA larger than that required by your device.

As for ADSL it works well inside Thailand - not so great outside.

[poorfarang]

Exactly what did you buy?  You need to convert 230(220)v to 115(110)v and that is normally done with a transformer with the side marked 220v plugged into the wall and the 110v output feeding your US device and the transformer having a wattage or VA larger than that required by your device.

Where can I get something like this? What I bought was some cheap little adapter from Pantip that looks like a wallwart and changes the power level. Im guessing that a transformer will solve this instead of the junk I got.

[lopburi3]

Any department store hardware department will likely have them (although it has been years since I checked). HomePro should have. Large hardware stores should have and some electrical supply stores. Check the power requirements of your equipment and buy larger transformer (probably not be very large but will be larger than a wall brick). It will most likely be cube rather than box shape and have a 220v cord and an outlet marked 110v.

[lomatopo]

The Linksys WRT54G requires the following input power:

Power External, 12V DC, 0.5A

The simplest thing to do would be to find a compatible brick that takes 220/50 AC and outputs 12V DC @ 5 A. You'd also have to match the physical connection (plug) on the Linksys unit.

I can't find the specs. on the brick Linksys provides with the unit in 110/60 countries, but I am surprised it does not supprt 110-220/50-60? What does it say on the birck you have?

I would just take the existing brick to the nearest IT mall (Fortune IT Mall, Panthip) and look for a 220/50 compatible brick?

A lot of shops sell Linksys gear in Thailand and I'm willing to bet the brick for your unit is the same for many other Linksys models. Shops probably have spares and you should have no problem finding one.

[grahamb]

Also, I have True adsl 2500/512 and have been told I might need to upgrade to the business dsl to get better quality, what are your expireices?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To answer your ADSL question, that's the connection we've got and it works fine with Vonage UK. Occasionally we can't connect to some numbers but that usually seems to be problem at the other end, not with the ADSL connection.

[poorfarang]

My brick says:

model: M2 -12S12-L

Input: 100-120V~, 0.5A, 50-60Hz

Output: 12V 1A

what exactly would I be looking for? I went to Pantip and I am quite familiar with the place but I couldnt find anything like this. All I found was this thing about the size of a power brick that plugs into the thai outlet and lets me plug my usa brick onto the top of it. It powers without smoking but the power cycles off.

[lomatopo]

My brick says:

model: M2 -12S12-L

Input: 100-120V~, 0.5A, 50-60Hz

Output: 12V  1A

what exactly would I be looking for?  I went to Pantip and I am quite familiar with the place but I couldnt find anything like this.  All I found was this thing about the size of a power brick that plugs into the thai outlet and lets me plug my usa brick onto the top of it.  It powers without smoking but the power cycles off.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ideally you want to find a replacement brick, preferrably from Linksys, that says that it takes 240V, or a range from 100v-240v at 50Hz, and puts out at least 0.5 amps.

Linksys obviously sells a lot of gear in Thailand so these bricks are available. I purchased a Linksys WAG54G in Fortune IT Mall, and it came with a 240 v brick. I am not currently in Thailand so cannot give you the part number, but if you take your existing brick with you, and go to both shops that sell Linksys gear, and accessory shops, you will be able to find the necessary brick. All you will need is this one, single, new brick, and you can put your old brick back in the box, and no need for converters, invertors or any othe crap.

[lopburi3]

As your US model output is rated 12v DC at 1 amp that is what you should look for (along with the same plug/polarity).

[poorfarang]

Thanks for the info. Any Idea where I should start looking? Pantip is a maze. I found the small inverter on the ground floor. I went to the big IT shop on the second floor and found some routers but none from linksys.

[lopburi3]

No but if you want a more orderly area try the IT mall at Fortune Town, Ratchada (Rama IX exit of subway).

[poorfarang]

I have never been there. Its more organized? Is it in a mall type building or more spread out? I will have a look at the map and see exactly where It is.

[lopburi3]

It is a hotel/office building/shopping center complex with Lotus as the main retail store right on the corner of Rama IX and Ratchada. Subway exit is right in front of it so very easy.

[poorfarang]

will it be easy to track something like this down? Thanks for the help

[lopburi3]

Nothing is easy but do not believe it will be too hard to find as all you need is 12v at more than 1 amp output and plug the same as you have - 12v is very common so many pieces of equipment probably use such a device.

Just looked and my SMC unit uses 12v 1000ma (which is 1 amp) and that is a very common modem/router here.

Edited December 1, 2005 by lopburi3

[poorfarang]

Well, I didnt get to Fortun town but I went back to Pantip today. I searched high and low. I found some bricks with my specs but they did not have the correct size plug on the end for my router. I found some shops selling linksys gear and had them open the boxes to peak at the bricks, and they were different plugs as well. I did not see my rounter anywhere in pantip. Im wondering if it might just be easier to get some kind of transformer or something

[bkk_mike]

For a decent transformer in Thailand you can try Radio Shack (I got one there about 4 years ago for some weird piece of US kit..., and never had a problem with it. - still going strong...)

Although the branch of Radio Shack I bought it at is no longer there, I think there's still a branch up at the top end of Chitlom somewhere on the south side of the road. As with others, my Vonage was bought in the UK so was already the right voltage, but I got a 100-240v adaptor in Japan that I use when I'm there... (It outputs from 3v to 12v and has a range of different plugs to fit almost anything... - so very useful, but haven't seen them in Thailand personally.)

I'm willing to bet you'll find something similar 5 minutes after you've bought a transformer though - and they're generally a lot cheaper.

[lomatopo]

Well, I didnt get to Fortun town but I went back to Pantip today.  I searched high and low.  I found some bricks with my specs but they did not have the correct size plug on the end for my router.  I found some shops selling linksys gear and had them open the boxes to peak at the bricks, and they were different plugs as well.  I did not see my rounter anywhere in pantip.  Im wondering if it might just be easier to get some kind of transformer or something

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AFAIK that specific router is not sold in Thailand, probably because it has the integrated ATA. I should say that Linksys does have a unique method of designing and manufacturing equipment. They farm out a spec. and then a third party designs, creates the software and manufactures the unit. They use similar looking enclosures but that's it. It is possible that the WRT line is built with a different/unique physical DC power connection. I am checking with some people who should know, but may not hear from them for a few days.

What types of Linksys equipment did you examine the plugs for? For a given type of unit, ADSL modem+Router/WiFi, I am surprised that the plug would not be the same? Did any shops offer to sell you a brick separately? Were the plugs different in length or diameter or both?

I think the WRT line is sold in 220/50 countries so a brick should exist, somewhere?

I'll post back when/if I hear back from my contact.

[poorfarang]

I found several linsys routers (both wired and wireless) but the plug were smaller in diameter. This is also true of the bricks that I saw seperatly. Thay are all smaller in diameter. Most of these bricks were just old units from everything from old nintendo units/video camera charges/speaker system bricks and everything in between. I found one that had multiple heads on it but it was the wrong voltage.

I hate getting new toys in the mail and not being able to use them! I guess my options are still looking for the brick or getting a stepdown convertor. Ideally Id like an actual brick to keep costs as well as size down. Maybe there is a website that will ship to thailand?

Thanks for your help thus far

[lopburi3]

You have the transformer option or cut off the plug end of your current brick (leave some wire) and use it to replace the non fitting plug of a new unit. Any tech should be able to make that up for you in five minutes. Just make sure the wires are attached correctly; and a tech should be able to do that for you.

[lomatopo]

My contact was less than helpful, he seemed to think that this unit is sold in Thailand. He also said Ingram Micro are the distributor for Linksys gear here and that maybe they could help locate a compatible AC adapter? They are located on the 12th floor of the Fortune complex (where the Fortune IT Mall is, Phra Ram 9 on the MRT/Subway).

Consumer-Group 0-2638-1860

Customer Service 0-2638-1900

http://www.ingrammicro.co.th/

And if all else fails, then I'd agree with lopburi3's suggestion of finding a compatible AC adapter (240/50 AC input, 12V/1A DC output), cutting off that plug, and cut the plug of your US adapter and splice that onto the local adapter.

[poorfarang]

Wow, that is great info, I really apreciate your help. Thanks.

[poorfarang]

Well I went to fortune town and found a linksys adapter within 5 mins!! Thanks for the help.