How to charge your Beats Pill from a power outlet in South Africa

Instructions showing how to recharge your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet with USB Micro type B connector and a three pin Type M USB adapter, how to recharge a Beats Pill using a two pinned Type C Europlug power plug and powering a Beats Pill using a 2 pinned Schuko Type F power plug

South African power outlet

Different combinations of standards and sockets can all be daunting when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This page is a simple guide showing you what you'll need to charge the Beats Pill when staying in South Africa by using the M, C, F or N type 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most South Africans use Type M wall outlets. When you are travelling to South Africa from another country please ensure your Beats Pill can be used with a 240v supply. If your Beats Pill originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it.

The following instructions show you how to connect to Beats Pill 2 speakers to your South African power outlet. Note that these instructions refer 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 you connect Beats Pill 2 speakers to any device we recommend downloading the latest Beats Pill 2 firmware update from the official Beats Pill support site [2] using the Update tool.

Charging a Beats Pill in South Africa

Can you use a Beats Pill in South Africa?

Yes, you can use a Beats Pill in South Africa by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging a Beats Pill in South Africa?

If travelling with more than your Beats Pill and visiting multiple countries then the best international travel charger for South Africa is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different types of plug sockets that South Africans use (types M, C, F and N) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your Beats Pill is compatible with Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port charger will allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power adapters or using up additional wall sockets. By only bringing a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling and suitable for charging your Beats Pill at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend searching for this type of versatile power charger at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 best selling compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting South Africa 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 travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 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 South Africa. [13] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging a Beats Pill in South Africa?

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

Using micro USB Type B cable with a Type C power adapter to charge a Beats Pill with a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your Beats Pill using a South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [5] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. First you'll need to plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the Type B Micro USB cord 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The power in port will glow red while charging and turn green when fully charged. From a dead battery the charging time is about around 3 to 4 hours and the battery life after a complete charge 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 South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

Using USB micro Type B cable with a Schuko Type F USB adapter to charge your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your Beats Pill from the South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [8] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the South African power outlet. This round power outlet, sometimes known as the Type F power outlet [7], can be recognised by the two large round holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral, plus a pair of grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in jack can be found at the rear of the speaker next to the Bluetooth LED.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The power in jack will glow red while charging and turn green when fully charged. From a flat 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 percent battery life the socket will turn red and it will need charging again soon. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet with USB Micro type B connector and a three pin Type M USB adapter.

  1. To power the Beats Pill from the South African power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [10] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Begin by taking the Type M USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the power supply. This wall supply (sometimes called a Type M power outlet [9]) can be recognised by the three large circular holes in a triangle shape for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in jack is found at the back of the speaker next to the Bluetooth indicator.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The USB jack will blink red while charging and glow green when fully charged. From an empty battery the charging time is around between three to four hours and the playback time at full power capacity is around 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 M power charger for recharging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing how to charge a Beats Pill from a South African power outlet with USB micro Type B cable and a Type N USB adapter.

  1. If you want to charge the Beats Pill from a South African power outlet you will need a Type N USB power plug adapter [12] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [6].
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type N USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the power outlet. You can identify this flattened hexagon shaped plug supply by 3 large round holes forming a flattened triangle configuration for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the power in on a Beats Pill. The power in jack can be found at the rear of the speaker next to the Bluetooth LED.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The USB jack will glow red while charging and turn green when fully charged. From a flat 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 percent battery life the socket will turn red and it will soon need charging again. [AD]
How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your Beats Pill from a South African power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa Wikipedia web page
  2. Beatsbydre - official Beats Pill support site
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Beatsbydre - instructions for charging the Beats Pill
  5. 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..
  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 F power outlet
  8. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  9. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  10. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  11. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  12. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  13. 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..