Author Topic: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer  (Read 517 times)

crunky

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PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« on: December 05, 2013, 06:32:09 PM »
Hey everyone,
I did a quick search here and noticed plenty of recommendations for using stepdown converters, but I'm not quite sure what I need. I looks like all the ones I'm looking at do 110V not 100V. Is this going to be fine for me anyway or do I need to find one that specifies 100V?

It is on its way from Japan right now with the original 100V power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/TriGear-100W-Voltage-Transformer-Converter/dp/B00B90W6MA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1386314385&sr=8-8 was cheap and got good ratings so I was hoping it would work for me.

Thanks in advance. I would really like to spend as little as possible :)

Ji-L87

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2013, 07:54:06 PM »
I've been using this one for about 3 years now without any problems with PCE, Saturn & other import consoles that would otherwise blow up if connected directly to our wall sockets here.

It's 110V as well so I think the one you linked should be fine  :mrgreen:



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crunky

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2013, 07:59:10 PM »
Thanks... I should mention I'm in the USA so I need it to convert to USA 120V!

Necromancer

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2013, 01:38:49 AM »
You don't need anything in the US.  My PC-FX, Duo RX, CG, and briefcase setup all work fine with their Japanese original power supplies sans converter.
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turboswimbz

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2013, 02:23:11 AM »
You don't need anything in the US.  My PC-FX, Duo RX, CG, and briefcase setup all work fine with their Japanese original power supplies sans converter.

Same here.  Never had a problem, stays cooler than my laptoppy supply too.
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crunky

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2013, 11:57:33 AM »
Thanks. Even though it's a doujindance recapped system I wanted to be extra careful with it since the audio hardware can act up if the voltage regulator is getting too hot.

So I can just use the 100V PSU? Would it be better for me to find a 120V PSU with the same specs? I just want to keep the voltage regulator from running hotter than it needs to.

esteban

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2013, 12:07:39 PM »
Not to be a broken record, but I have used nearly all of the PCE hardware, for years, with original power supplies with absolutely no problems here in the motherf*ckin' U.S. Of A.

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PCE (core)
DUO
GT (AC adapter)

 
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pixeljunkie

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2013, 01:35:00 PM »
Same here. No converters. Been that way for years with heavy play.

I think the power supplies even say they are capable of handling the US juice iirc?

PunkicCyborg

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2013, 03:57:09 PM »
just plug it in and play dude stop worrying so much. Even if something does break you got lots of repair dudes here. Is this one a RGB modded unit? I got mine from Doujindance in 2010 I think, the RGB looks awesome!
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thesteve

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2013, 03:20:53 PM »
The supply is the same, just marked different
That's why the us one has a higher output spec

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csgx1

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2013, 12:50:15 PM »
Like everyone suggests, a step down converter is not necessary in the US for 100v adapter. 

I do use a converter since I got one with a group of used gaming stuff that I bought.  I also found one cheap at a thrift store.




crunky

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2013, 06:45:35 PM »
Hmm, I'm rethinking if I need one

I was playing my Duo for a good 45 minutes to an hour before I went to change discs, when I did I noticed the Duo was getting pretty warm around the Duo logo area. After trying to swap discs, everything I put in would get read by the audio CD player.

I am currently letting it cool down but it seriously is getting too warm for me to think it's safe to use with the 100V adapter in a 120V outlet.

EDIT: I let it cool down for about an hour and it worked perfectly fine again :) So I'm thinking I need to do something about the power supply situation? I know PC Engines, finicky as they are, are usually just fine with 120v power, but the non-R/RX Duos are very very picky!
« Last Edit: December 10, 2013, 08:26:51 PM by crunky »

Keith Courage

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2013, 08:47:28 PM »
I was always under the assumption that if it would hurt anything it would be the AC adapter itself not the system. So nothing to worry about. PC engine DUOS all get hot around the logo area. That is where the heat-sinks are for the voltage regulators. This is normal.

crunky

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2013, 05:34:16 AM »
Normally I wouldnt not mind too much that the console itself was getting hot, but it seems to impact CD drive performance. As in, if it's getting hot after about an hour of play, I need to let it be turned off and cool down before it'll read a game properly again.

Opethian

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Re: PC Engine Duo stepdown transformer
« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2013, 06:39:07 AM »
that's a problem will all DUOs

[Mon 16:27] <BlueBMW> i wouldnt sell an unmolested duo hehe.  I molest the crap outta of em before they leave me