Charging the iPhone 3GS when staying in Bolivia

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet using the Apple 30-pin connector and a Type A USB adapter and powering the iPhone 3GS using a two pinned Type C power charger.

Bolivian power outlet

Differing frequencies and standards can all be confusing when planning on staying in a new country especially if you've never visited before. This page was written to stop travellers having to worry if they'll be able to charge their iPhone 3GS when they are visiting Bolivia.This page has useful instructions telling you what you'll need to power the iPhone 3GS when you're travelling to Bolivia by using their standard types C or A 115 volt 50Hz plug outlets. If your iPhone 3GS slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are visiting Bolivia from another country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, check the iPhone 3GS is dual-voltage (usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. If you intend on staying at a Bolivian city such as Santa Cruz de la Sierra refer to the Bolivian country entry on wikipedia [1] for more details. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Bolivia

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Bolivia?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to a Bolivian power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3GS in Bolivia?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 3GS and visiting multiple countries then the best travel power adapter for Bolivia is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Bolivians use two different standards of plug sockets (types C and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins 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 iPhone 3GS supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB power chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Having a 4 port adapter means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel chargers or occupying additional power sockets. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Bolivia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Bolivia and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 visiting Bolivia.
  • 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 and 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Bolivia. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3GS in Bolivia?

Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet using the Apple 30-pin connector and a Type A USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 3GS using a Bolivian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the cable is normally supplied with your device by Apple).
  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 slots next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up taking between 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the 30-pin Apple connector with a 2 pin Type C USB charger to recharge the iPhone 3GS from a Bolivian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone 3GS from a Bolivian power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should typically include this cable when you buy your iPhone 3GS).
  2. Firstly plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. The wall supply can be recognised by the 2 adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPhone 3GS screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is charging, typically taking between 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Bolivian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Bolivian country entry on wikipedia
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  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 to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  7. 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..
  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..