How to charge your Beats Pill from a power outlet in China

Using Type B Micro USB cord and a three pinned Type I USB adapter to recharge your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet, recharging a Beats Pill using a two pinned Type A USB charger and how to recharge a Beats Pill using a double pin Type C Europlug USB adapter

Chinese power outlet

Differing combinations of region codes and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never visited before. This page contains a step-by-step guide which shows exactly how to power the Beats Pill when you are visiting China by using the standard Type I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, please be aware Type I wall outlets will be typically used by most Chinese. When you are visiting China from a different country make sure the Beats Pill can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check the Beats Pill is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overheating when charging it. If you intend on staying in a city such as Shanghai or Nanjing read the wikipedia.org entry about China [1] for further details prior to the location.

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

Charging a Beats Pill in China

Can you use a Beats Pill in China?

Yes, you can use a Beats Pill in China by using the correct power adaptor.

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

If travelling with more than just your Beats Pill or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for China is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Chinese use three different standards of plug sockets (I, A and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the included heads over. If your model of Beats Pill supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these power chargers, along with additional compatibility with more power demanding devices. Having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring individual power chargers for your Chinese trip or occupying additional power outlets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

We recommend searching for a multipurpose power charger similar to this online, the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign 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, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 compact option for travellers originating from America visiting China using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly 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 and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only 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 more 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 most travellers from around the world visiting China. [11] [AD]
What is the best power charger for a Beats Pill in China?

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

Instructions showing how to recharge your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet with USB micro Type B cable with a Type A power charger.

  1. To supply power to your Beats Pill from the Chinese power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [5] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by 2 thin adjacent slots where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in port can be found at the rear of the speaker to the right of the Bluetooth light.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The power in socket will flash red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From a flat battery the charging time is about 3.5 hours and the playback time at full capacity is roughly seven hours. When you have reached 20 percent battery life the port will glow red and it will soon need charging again. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet

Powering a Beats Pill with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge a Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet with Type B USB connector with a 3 pinned Europlug Type C power charger.

  1. In order to power your Beats Pill using a 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. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Then connect one end of the type B USB Micro cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in port is found at the back of the speaker next to the Bluetooth indicator.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The USB jack will glow red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From an empty battery the charging time is around around 3 to 4 hours and the Beats Pill playback time at full capacity is around 7 hours. After 20% battery life the port will turn red and it will need charging again soon. [AD]
Powering a Beats Pill with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type I power charger for charging your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet with USB micro Type B cable with a Type I power charger.

  1. If you want to charge the Beats Pill from the Chinese power outlet you will need a Type I USB power plug adapter [10] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Insert the Type I USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall supply by three thin slots forming a triangular configuration with the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth blades. Please note that the neutral and live blades are reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets therefore please check that your Type I power adaptor is compatible in China.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in port can be found at the rear of the speaker to the right of the Bluetooth indicator.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The power in socket will flash red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From a flat battery the charging time is about 3.5 hours and the playback time at full capacity is roughly seven hours. When you have reached 20 percent battery life the port will glow red and it will soon need charging again. [AD]
How to use a Type I power charger for charging your Beats Pill from a Chinese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about China
  2. Beatsbydre - official Beats Pill support site
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Beatsbydre - instructions for charging the Beats Pill
  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..