Charging the iPhone 3GS when staying in Guatemala

Using the Apple 30-pin connector with a 2 pin Type A USB charger to recharge the iPhone 3GS from a Guatemalan power outlet and charging the iPhone 3GS using a three pinned Type B power charger.

Guatemalan power outlet

Complicated standards and sockets can all be daunting when planning on visiting another country, especially to the first time traveller. This step by step guide shows you exactly how to supply power to the iPhone 3GS when going to Guatemala using their standard Type B or A 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets. If your iPhone 3GS slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are travelling to Guatemala from another country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check that the device is dual voltage (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Guatemala

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in Guatemala?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3GS to a Guatemalan power outlet.

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

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 3GS and visiting more than one country then the best travel power adapter for Guatemala is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of wall outlets in Guatemala (B and A) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by switching the supplied plugs. If your model of iPhone 3GS is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB power chargers, and compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters this means you can recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring individual power adapters on your trip. Only packing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones with just a single plug socket.

If you travel to Guatemala we recommend buying this type of versatile travel charger at an electronics retailer. The travel charger illustrated 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 Guatemala

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 visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial when visiting counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Guatemala and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Guatemala.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Guatemala. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Guatemala?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Guatemalan power outlet

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

  1. In order to power the iPhone 3GS from the Guatemalan power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the cable is normally already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power supply. The wall outlet, technically called a Type A power outlet [3], can be identified by the two slots adjacent to each other where the two pins sit.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger 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 Guatemalan 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 powering up which takes between one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Guatemalan power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Guatemalan power outlet

Using a 30-pin connector and a Type B USB adapter to power the iPhone 3GS with a Guatemalan power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3GS from the Guatemalan power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the USB cable is typically supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise the wall outlet by the 2 thin slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Connect one end of the power cable into the USB mains 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 Guatemalan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3GS will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging, typically taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Guatemalan power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Guatemalan Wiki page
  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 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..