Tips for managing electrical devices while traveling?
Has anyone come up with a good way to organize/pack charger cords for electrical devices while traveling? On a short vacation, I found myself with my laptop charger, iPod connector to laptop, iPod connector for rental car, GPS device and charger, phone charger, camera charger, camera card reader, and camera battery charger. This seemed to be a lot of cords to keep track of while in a hotel room, and losing any one of them would have been a real pain, not to mention slightly expensive.
I put everything in a plastic bag, but this was really awkward. Has anyone hit upon a good way to keep tabs of cords/chargers while traveling? I realize I don’t have to take all the gadgetry with me on vacation.
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I used to travel with about the same amount of equipment and cords for work. Using a computer bag with lots of pockets helps. Labeling each pocket with what is kept in it is a good way for a quick visual check to make sure everything is back in the bag.
Other tips: Get into the habit of putting a cord back after using it; and only use outlets that are visible, such as the desk lamp base (if available), the ones above the bathroom counter, and ones near the door.
Cords sure are a pain in the ass, aren’t they? I’m betting Swiss Army or another company has come up with a nifty bag for this purpose (and if not, there’s your million dollar idea right there).
Personally, I just have a system with the different cords/devices. I keep my cell phone charger in a pocket of my backpack and I usually travel with my iPod USB charger in that pocket, as well (some airports have docking stations). This (especially the cell charger) is important, just on the off-chance they misplace my bags.. at least I will be able to have a phone. I keep the laptop cord with the laptop, the camera battery charger in a pocket in my suitcase.
You have some devices that I don’t, but I would use the same system. Camera card reader, in the suitcase. GPS & charger, in my backpack. Basically, I carry what I think I need and pack what I don’t. I also am very leery about leaving electronics or expensive, easy-to-steal stuff in my luggage.
I tie up charger cords and leave them that way—which means temporarily keeping the device near the electrical outlet while recharging.
You can use nylon wire ties or bag ties, but you don’t actually need anything to keep them neat. Just loop the wire around your fingers several times until maybe six inches are left, then coil the remainder around the loops to keep everything bundled. Finish by passing the free end through the loops to keep it tied. Make sense? (a picture would help here). Leave enough free wire at each end so no untying is necessary for recharging, and take care not to strain either the transformer or free end of the charging cord.
I dump all the cords into my computer bag, and after bundling each one they tend not to tangle up with one another.
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