Charging a Beats Pill 2 when staying in China

Instructions on how to charge your Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet with Type B Micro USB connector with a three pin Type A USB charger, how to charge a Beats Pill 2 using a Europlug Type C USB plug and how to power a Beats Pill 2 using a three pinned Type I power charger

Chinese power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of voltages and region codes can often cause confusion when planning to visit another country especially to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the Beats Pill 2 in China. This page was written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the Beats Pill 2 abroad.This page has step-by-step instructions telling you what you'll need to power the Beats Pill 2 when you're travelling to China by using their standard types I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Chinese will use Type I plugs in their power outlets. If you are travelling to China from a different country please ensure your Beats Pill 2 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check the Beats Pill 2 is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from over-heating whilst powering it.

This list of instructions show you how to connect to Beats Pill 2.0 speakers to your Chinese power outlet. Please note that this page refers to the Beats Pill 2.0 and not the original Beats Pill first generation, please visit the Beats page on WikiConnections.org for the full range of Beats bluetooth speakers. Before connecting Beats Pill 2.0 speakers to any device we recommend downloading the latest Beats Pill 2.0 firmware from the official Beats Pill support site [2] using the Beats updater tool.

Charging a Beats Pill 2 in China

Can the Beats Pill 2 be used in China?

Yes, you can use a Beats Pill 2 in China.

What is the best travel charger for a Beats Pill 2 in China?

When travelling with more than your Beats Pill 2 the best international travel charger for China is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of wall outlets in China (types I, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the included plugs over. If your Beats Pill 2 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB power chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Having a four port adapter will also allow you to power more than one device at the same time without needing to pack seperate travel adapters. By only packing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets with just a single plug socket.

If you travel to China we recommend buying an adaptable travel adapter similar to this at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the Beats Pill 2, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unstable power grids. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from America visiting China.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting China. [11] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for a Beats Pill 2 in China?

Charging a Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using Type B USB micro cord with a 3 pin Type A USB charger to recharge a Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet.

  1. To power the Beats Pill 2 using a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [5] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two thin adjacent slots where the live and neutral blades go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill 2. The power in port is found at the rear of the speaker to the right of the Bluetooth LED.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The USB socket will flash red while charging and turn green when fully charged. From a flat battery the charging time is around three and a half hours and the playback time after a complete charge is roughly 7 hours. When you have reached 20 percent battery life the jack will glow red and it will need charging again soon. [AD]
Charging a Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet

Using USB Type B connector and a Europlug Type C USB charger to power a Beats Pill 2 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. In order to power a Beats Pill 2 from the Chinese power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [8] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two round holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB type B cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill 2. The power in port can be found at the back of the speaker next to the Bluetooth light.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The power in port will glow red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From an empty battery the charging time is about between three to four hours and the battery life at full capacity is around seven hours. When you have reached 20% battery life the port will turn red and it will soon need charging again. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet

Powering a Beats Pill 2 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

Using micro USB Type B cord and a Type I USB adapter to power your Beats Pill 2 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your Beats Pill 2 from a Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [10] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Firstly plug the Type I USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This plug supply (known as the Type I power outlet [9]) can be identified by the 3 slots for the live, neutral and earth blades. Please be aware that the live and neutral blades are reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets therefore check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible in China.
  3. Plug in one end of the micro USB Type B cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill 2. The power in jack is found at the back of the speaker to the right of the Bluetooth indicator.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The USB jack will flash red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From a dead battery the charging time is around around 3 to 4 hours and the playback time at full capacity is roughly 7 hours. After 20 percent battery life the socket will glow red and it will soon need charging again. [AD]
Powering a Beats Pill 2 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - China Wikipedia web page
  2. Beatsbydre - official Beats Pill support site
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Beatsbydre - charging instructions for the Beats Pill 2
  5. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  6. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  7. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  8. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  9. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  10. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  11. 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..