Power supply substitution questions

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

Hello,
Recently, I purchased an NES at a thrift store that came with some
other power supply that didn't match, but when I took it home, it
worked perfectly - kinda strange, I figured I just got lucky.
I have recently found a lot of Genesis, Genesis II, and Super NES
systems for like $2 each, but they were bare bones, so I figured I'd
hit the thrift stores today and try to find some substitute power
supplies for them. SO... I copied down the specifications, voltage,
inputs output, etc... and tried to find plugs that matched as closely
as possible to the specs I had copied off the original power supplies.
I found about 7 or 8 and bought them all, hoping that at least one or
two would work on the genesis units.
Sadly, none of them did.
NOW HERE'S THE WIERD PART: Just for grins, I tried the plugs all
out on my NES, and EVERY SINGLE PLUG WORKED ON MY NES FLAWLESSLY. Every
single one. How do you account for this?
Also, I would appreciate any tips on picking out power supplies to
substitute for my game systems. I know about the excellent site,
"Deathskull laboratories", but I mean a step further and using non
related plugs. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

The Space Boss wrote:
> Hello,
> Recently, I purchased an NES at a thrift store that came with some
> other power supply that didn't match, but when I took it home, it
> worked perfectly - kinda strange, I figured I just got lucky.
> I have recently found a lot of Genesis, Genesis II, and Super NES
> systems for like $2 each, but they were bare bones, so I figured I'd
> hit the thrift stores today and try to find some substitute power
> supplies for them. SO... I copied down the specifications, voltage,
> inputs output, etc... and tried to find plugs that matched as closely
> as possible to the specs I had copied off the original power supplies.
> I found about 7 or 8 and bought them all, hoping that at least one or
> two would work on the genesis units.
> Sadly, none of them did.
> NOW HERE'S THE WIERD PART: Just for grins, I tried the plugs all
> out on my NES, and EVERY SINGLE PLUG WORKED ON MY NES FLAWLESSLY. Every
> single one. How do you account for this?

<cut>

Check out this thread from 2002:
<http/groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.games.video.nintendo/browse_thread/thread/3846250d8b59a264/e0c9b1bfca9c36b0?q=%2BNES+%2B%22power+supply%22+%2BAC+%2BDC#e0c9b1bfca9c36b0

For those without web access, here is the relevant portion:
*begin quote*
The first thing in a NES power circuit is a rectifier ring to turn AC
into pulsating DC. Then there are big capacitors to smooth that into
constant dc voltage. That goes into a 5V regulator to give you a rock
solid 5 volts that all the main circuitry needs.

If you plug in a DC supply off sufficient voltage and current rating,
the energy just passes through the rectifier and smoothing stuff.
Don't plug an AC power supply in a machine designed for a DC one
however.
*end quote*

I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information, but this would
explain it, provided the substitute plugs were of sufficient amperage
and over 5v, etc. etc. Combined with the info from Deathskull
Laboraties, you should have your questions answer.

<lurker mode back on>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

> I have recently found a lot of Genesis, Genesis II, and Super NES
>systems for like $2 each, but they were bare bones, so I figured I'd
>hit the thrift stores today and try to find some substitute power
>supplies for them. SO... I copied down the specifications, voltage,
>inputs output, etc... and tried to find plugs that matched as closely
>as possible to the specs I had copied off the original power supplies.
>I found about 7 or 8 and bought them all, hoping that at least one or
>two would work on the genesis units.
> Sadly, none of them did.

I am shocked at how often this question comes up. Based on my personal
experience:

The Genny 1 power supply matches both the Sega Master System and the
Atari Jaguar power supplies.

The Genny 2 power supply matches the Game Gear and Nomad power
supplies.

The only difference between these two groups is the polarity, so a
simple cable hack and you could use a PS from one of hte above groups
with the other group. But if you tried to use a PS with the wrong
polarity while you were testing those power supplies, you probably
killed your consoles.

As for the SNES, it has an odd barrel size, so a matching unit is
harder to find. AFAIK, only the Virtual Boy power supply is a match.
And that was an optional item for the VB, so good luck finding one. You
could try using a universal type power supply for the SNES (I've seen
many that will work on the Genesis consoles) but again that's an odd
sized barrel, so finding a match may be tough. If you locate a
non-working SNES power supply it may be worth your time to hack off the
tip to save for later power supply hacking (I strongly suggest saving
Atari 7800 power tips for the same reason).