Charging the iPad when visiting Gambia

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a three pin Type G USB charger to recharge the iPad with a Gambian power outlet.

Gambian power outlet

When packing for a trip it can often be helpful to know if you can charge all your common electronics like mobile phones and laptops when you get there. By not knowing which power supply is being used in Gambia you could end up either weighing yourself down with unnecessary spare adaptors or bring the wrong power adaptor, leaving you needing to buy or borrow a potentially expensive power adaptor when you arrive which could be incompatible. Varying complicated region codes and sockets can all be confusing when planning on staying in a new country if you've never been there before. These guidelines have been written to help prepare visitors wanting to charge the iPad when they are travelling to Gambia.When visiting Gambia these instructions show how to power the iPad using the standard 230 volt 50Hz G Type wall outlet, with the Gambians using 13 amp plugs for wall outlets. When visiting Gambia from another country please check your iPad can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check that your iPad is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from being damaged when powering up. If you're planning to visit a Gambian city such as Serekunda we recommend reading the Gambia country Wiki page [1] for more indepth details. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in Gambia

Can you use the iPad in Gambia?

Yes, you can connect the iPad to a Gambian power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in Gambia?

If travelling with more than just your iPad then the best travel adapter for Gambia to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your type of iPad can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your Gambian trip or occupying additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage whilst travelling as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad at the airport or on a plane. Due to their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Gambia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Gambia and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Gambia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Gambia. [6] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in Gambia?

Powering the iPad with a Gambian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Instructions on how to charge your iPad from a Gambian power outlet using the Apple 30-pin cable with a three pin Type G USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad from the Gambian power outlet you will need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally already supplied with the device).
  2. Start by taking the Type G USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Gambian power outlet. The power supply, technically known as a Type G power outlet [3], can be identified by 3 rectangular holes with shutters forming a triangle configuration for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the Gambian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Gambian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Gambia country Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..