How to charge the Jabra Solemate when staying in Japan

Instructions showing how to recharge the Jabra Solemate with a Japanese power outlet by using Micro USB type B cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB charger and charging the Jabra Solemate using a 3 pinned Type B USB charger.

Japanese power outlet

When packing for a holiday it can be useful to know in advance if you can power your important devices when you're there. Without knowing which wall socket is used you may bring the wrong power adaptor, therefore having to buy or borrow a potentially expensive power adaptor on arrival. Varying different combinations of region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never been there before. This guide was specifically written to stop travellers worrying if they can power the Jabra Solemate abroad.When visiting Japan this page contains useful instructions showing you how to charge the Jabra Solemate using their B or A type 100 volt 60Hz power outlets, you will discover most Japanese will typically use the Type B plugs in their plug outlets. Most power sources will change regionally so please read our Wikiconnections world power supplies page for a full list showing powering devices in different destinations. If your Jabra Solemate does not power up or charges slowly when you are travelling to Japan from a different region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that the Jabra Solemate is a dual voltage device (usually marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use.

Ensure you have download version 1.34 or greater of the latest Jabra Solemate firmware from the official Jabra Solemate support site [2]. After you have set up the speaker you can turn off the default 'Solemate is connected' announcements by holding down the Volume down button when turning on the Jabra Solemate until you hear 'Sound prompts off'.

Charging the Jabra Solemate in Japan

Can the Jabra Solemate be used in Japan?

You can connect the Jabra Solemate to a Japanese power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the Jabra Solemate in Japan?

If travelling with more than your Jabra Solemate and visiting more than one country the best travel charger for Japan is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Japanese use two different standards of wall outlets (B and A) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included heads over. If your model of Jabra Solemate can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to Japan. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your Jabra Solemate at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single plug socket.

For those travelling often we recommend searching for a flexible power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Japan

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 Jabra Solemate, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Japan and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Japan.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the Jabra Solemate in Japan?

Powering the Jabra Solemate with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge the Jabra Solemate with a Japanese power outlet by using Micro USB type B cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. In order to charge the Jabra Solemate from the Japanese power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Japanese power outlet. The plug outlet (called a Type A power outlet [3]) can be identified by the 2 adjacent slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the micro USB Type B connector into the power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on the Jabra Solemate. The USB charging port can be located to the right of the speaker below the line in port.
  4. Turn on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery indicator on the Jabra Solemate will glow red when low, yellow when half full and green when fully charged. Typically the battery will take 2.5 hours to completely charge although this may take longer if you use the Jabra Solemate whilst charging. [AD]
Powering the Jabra Solemate with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your Jabra Solemate from a Japanese power outlet

Using USB type B cable with a Type B power charger to power your Jabra Solemate from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your Jabra Solemate from the Japanese power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two thin slots where the blades sit with a single semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the micro USB Type B connector into the power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on the Jabra Solemate. The USB charging port can be located to the right of the speaker below the line in port.
  4. Turn on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery indicator on the Jabra Solemate will glow red when low, yellow when half full and green when fully charged. Typically the battery will take 2.5 hours to completely charge although this may take longer if you use the Jabra Solemate whilst charging. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your Jabra Solemate from a Japanese power outlet

See also

  1. Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site
  2. Jabra - official Jabra Solemate support site
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. 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..
  5. 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.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. 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..