NES Power Supply - Using Genesis AC Adapter

[QuickSciFi]

Alright. I've given up trying to find a power supply for my NES that is authentic on eBay. All of my Model 1s and Model 2s AC adapters work with it. But the question is: Are they safe?

The voltage specs for my NES -001 model is AC 9V with 850mA. As far as voltage goes, I can provide the 9V of AC, but is a range of about 850mA to 1.2A safe? That's what I've been reading in other forums.

Here's my optimal choice for it thus far:

a Model 1 Sega Genesis AC Adapter:
-9V
-1.2A

If not, I'm willing to trade for the specs req.; so I'd be moving to the Bazaar forums after your assessments. I'd very much appreciate it if you folks could help me out. Thanks.

[64k]

Amps should be fine think of it more of having enough juice to give it so to speak, its the volts that will spluff it up.

are they both AC~AC ?

[QuickSciFi]

^Yes, Alternating Current both ways.

[17daysolderthannes]

99.999% of "Power Bricks" output DC power, but the NES adapter, for whatever asinine reason, outputs AC power. That said, again, for whatever reason, the NES can also take DC input (it basically just bypasses the AC->DC converter inside the system, known as a "rectifier"). Why they didn't just use a DC adapter like everyone else in the world, I can't say. From what I've heard, the NES can take a huge range of voltages and amps as long as you stay away from Fax/Printer/etc. supplies that have extremely high voltage and amperage outputs (for an external power supply of this type). All of the 3-in-1 universal power transformers (the technical name for these, btw) are DC output and explains why they work with the NES, SNES, and Genesis.

cliff's notes: Genesis adapters on NES are fine.

PS: don't use NES adapters on anything but an NES unless you are 100% sure it also uses AC output (and to my knowledge no other common electronics with that type of plug do). AC input on a system configured for DC input makes the baby jesus cry.

[bohokii]

my nintendo wants ac voltage and my genesis wants dc plug center postitive i believe


i dont know if it wont work i wouldn't even try

[64k]

dont use anything other than the nes power brick on a nes.

however you can use a sega one on the NES.

as mentioned above.

[QuickSciFi]

Hmm. Sounds clear enough to me. Thanks for clearing that up for me folks. I'm going to set the unit up then. I'm so excited that it can use both RF from the MD1 as well as standard mono composite cables. I'm going with the latter and a y-splitter. Safe and sound. Thanks again you guys.

[kool kitty89]

Both of my NES adapters are 9VAC 1.3A

99.999% of "Power Bricks" output DC power, but the NES adapter, for whatever asinine reason, outputs AC power. That said, again, for whatever reason, the NES can also take DC input (it basically just bypasses the AC->DC converter inside the system, known as a "rectifier"). Why they didn't just use a DC adapter like everyone else in the world, I can't say. From what I've heard, the NES can take a huge range of voltages and amps as long as you stay away from Fax/Printer/etc. supplies that have extremely high voltage and amperage outputs (for an external power supply of this type). All of the 3-in-1 universal power transformers (the technical name for these, btw) are DC output and explains why they work with the NES, SNES, and Genesis.

The rectifier circuit will allow ANY power supply of reasonably voltage and amperage to work regardless of polarity. I currently use a 9V CD 2.0A supply with positive polarity (opposite of MD).

It seems AC PSUs were more common with some older elextronics. Commodore's VIC 20 uses an AC output power supply, as does Atari's 400/800 (not sure about the XL/XE). Someone on atariage screwed up their 5200 by using a power supply from an Atari Computer as the 5200 uses DC...

In fact, I think the 400/800 PSU (and 5200) might be directly compatible with the NES.


Another weird thing is that it seems the early pre-launch model NESs from ~late '85 came with different PSUs which were DC and have a dongle like the 5200 adapter.
Famicom, SFC, and PAL/SECAM SNES also use DC power of similar polarity as the MD, not sure if the SNES was protected against AC power though, otherwise I could see some likely mistakes being made like with the Atari PSUs.

[QuickSciFi]

This is weird, I just discovered a Model 1 AC adapter that outputs DC 1.2 A at 10 Volts. Is it really for the model 1?

[17daysolderthannes]

This is weird, I just discovered a Model 1 AC adapter that outputs DC 1.2 A at 10 Volts. Is it really for the model 1?

I think the 10V one was actually for the CD X or Sega CD, or possibly a typo correction as according to TmEE the "model 1" power supply actually outputs as high as like 12V or 14V.

[QuickSciFi]

Wow. I didn't know that about the voltage on the model 1 Genny. Thanks. I'm pretty sure its' not a Sega CD unit though, but I may be wrong. Who knows? Maybe it's actually for the Model 1 Sega CD. I've just never seen one before. That'll be cool to know.

[ApolloBoy]

dont use anything other than the nes power brick on a nes.

Actually, the NES will work with just about any power supply so long as it provides enough amperage and is anywhere from 7 to 12 volts.

Famicom, SFC, and PAL/SECAM SNES also use DC power of similar polarity as the MD

The PAL SNES uses an AC power supply just like the NES.

[MN12BIRD]

I thought I saw one that said 10V too but then I looked again at the two I could find they said 9V. But I know I've had way more come and go so I'm guessing now I did see one that said 10V. I thought it might have been for the Sega CD too but I'm pretty sure I checked and it said 9V on the unit. Who knows it's Sega after all they probably just changed something after a week. I swear I have like 8 model 2 plugs and they all look different lol.

Is it true with these type of unregulated power supplies the voltage is way higher than when there is a load on it and also they could always be a few volts off anyway?

[QuickSciFi]

^Lol. I'll try to feature it on my next gameroom setup vid. I'm certain it will work properly on the Model 1s, but I don't even know what it originally came with. It powers up both of my model 1s (high def. and non-high def) as well as the NES. I'm thinking adding 1 volt wont hurt much. Lol. I'll trust Sega. It's not for the Pico, is it?

[kool kitty89]

I think later model 1 Genesis PSUs were listed as 10V 1.2A (I think .85A for the VA7), I've got one such adapter, I think they changed that on the MCD too. It really doesn't matter though, and the actual voltage varies somewhat from unit to unit anyway, that the reading can change under load vs unloaded. (my NES PSU reads at almost 12V)

It also depends on what your outlets are putting out, higher/lower than normal voltage from the wall means similarly higher/lower voltage from the PSU. (simple transformer and rectifier --the latter not for the NES)

I think TmEE mentioned that his outlets at home output well over the normal 240 V.

On a related note: I think JP power tends to be 100 V (slightly lower than the ~110-120 V in North America), but also 60 Hz AC like the US, so using JP PSUs can work, but the voltage output will probably be a bit higher than usual. (JP plugs are also similar to North American ones, unlike a variety used in Europe)