so I bought a PcE from ebay..

[FlashGameMaker]

Hey everyone,

It's my first post here. I've always wanted a PCe, so I bought a japanese one on ebay a few weeks ago. It didn't come with any power adapter, but I was told it should work fine with any 9v adapter, it also didn't come with any TV cable.

The first issue I've got is I'm not sure what adapter to use with it, because I'm not sure if it's even "on" when I turn it on. I'm using a uk snes 9v adapter with it, which seems to fit the socket well, so first question is, should that snes 9v adapter work with it? 2nd question is, how do I know it's turned on? is there any lights or anything that turn on? 3rd is, I've used that adapter, plus an old phono tv cable, and plugged it into my samsung Hdtv etc TV, but I can't find the signal anywhere on any channels, is this just an issue with modern TVs? I havn't tested it yet with an old TV but that's the next step.

thanks for any advice.

[nectarsis]

Well usualy many US tv's have to be on channel 95-6 for an rf to work. 

Welcome

[Duo_R]

not true - polarity is very important and (also if it takes AC or DC adapter). I believe I use a Sega Genesis 1 (and Sega CD) adapter with a PC Engine and pretty sure the white one is the same. First - check polarity, it should be marked on the bottom of the system (or near the port) and also check on the AC adapter. Also find the amperage specs. Welcome, but do some searches on here since this has been previously discussed.

work fine with any 9v adapter

[FlashGameMaker]

Thanks.

I just looked and it says "DC 9v" near the port and "Ac adapter" as well. On the bottom theres some japanese and it says "PI-TG001" and then just below that "4W"

how can I check that it's actually turned on though? that the adapter is working? (obviously without being able to see the picture on the TV)

[Duo_R]

no light on the PCE.....without modding so nothing will give u a visual indicator.

[Arkhan]

Channel 95-6?

My US TV is on Channel 3 for RF since Channel 4 gets fuzzy because of the local news station lol.

Anyway, the problem might be that you're using a UK power brick.  You might have fed too much power into the unit.  Japan and UK don't have the same power outlets.

If you live in the UK you'll need a Stepdown transformer to go from 220 to 110v for powering a Japanese console.

as for the video, you need an RF modulator of some kind unless I am mistaken. A plain phono cable won't do anything.

The best thing I can suggest is find cables for a Sega Genesis.  They work in the PC Engine also.

[FlashGameMaker]

Channel 95-6?

My US TV is on Channel 3 for RF since Channel 4 gets fuzzy because of the local news station lol.

Anyway, the problem might be that you're using a UK power brick.  You might have fed too much power into the unit.  Japan and UK don't have the same power outlets.

If you live in the UK you'll need a Stepdown transformer to go from 220 to 110v for powering a Japanese console.

as for the video, you need an RF modulator of some kind unless I am mistaken. A plain phono cable won't do anything.

The best thing I can suggest is find cables for a Sega Genesis.  They work in the PC Engine also.

what about a sega saturn cables? Also the guy who sold it to me said any 9v ac-dc adapter will work, so you're saying that not true and I need a step down transformer?

[Duo_R]

first off any 9 AC adapter will work is BS. You plug in one with the wrong polarity and your system is fried....

[Arkhan]

Saturn cables wont work.  A Saturn has an internal power supply,and a completely different A/V setup...

The power cable for a saturn is the same kind that goes with modern stereos and stuff... and looks kinda like:

[ul][li]|o).   You want one thats more like (o)[/li][/ul]

Since you bought a Japanese console, you are going to want a stepdown transformer so that you don't feed 220v into a system expecting 110v (Correct me if im wrong)..  it is possible you already damaged the console.  If this is the case, since the seller said "any ac adapter will do.."  Quote him on that, and take it to eBay as a claim.  False information + damaged goods from it might turn into a refund!

Just because the jack is the same doesn't mean the power supply itself is the same.  I have guitar pedals that all have universal jack sizes but one adapter is 13v DC at 1A, and the other is 10.5v at 300ma.  If I put the 13v one in the pedal that wants the 10.5v one, It will damage my stuff.

In any event.   For over 12 years, I powered my Turbo Grafx-16 with the same cables that came with my sega genesis.  Never failed me. Not once.

[Spector]

As far as power supplies, go to the 'classic backup devices' link on the left of this website - the one at the bottom of the page (called 'Mains Adaptor/Power Supply Unit' costing £6) will work, as I'm using it right now.

http://www.consolegoods.co.uk

[FlashGameMaker]

Saturn cables wont work.  A Saturn has an internal power supply,and a completely different A/V setup...

The power cable for a saturn is the same kind that goes with modern stereos and stuff... and looks kinda like:

[ul][li]|o).   You want one thats more like (o)[/li][/ul]

Since you bought a Japanese console, you are going to want a stepdown transformer so that you don't feed 220v into a system expecting 110v (Correct me if im wrong)..  it is possible you already damaged the console.  If this is the case, since the seller said "any ac adapter will do.."  Quote him on that, and take it to eBay as a claim.  False information + damaged goods from it might turn into a refund!

Just because the jack is the same doesn't mean the power supply itself is the same.  I have guitar pedals that all have universal jack sizes but one adapter is 13v DC at 1A, and the other is 10.5v at 300ma.  If I put the 13v one in the pedal that wants the 10.5v one, It will damage my stuff.

In any event.   For over 12 years, I powered my Turbo Grafx-16 with the same cables that came with my sega genesis.  Never failed me. Not once.

I'm a bit confused. I just found a "sega megadrive" 2 adapter, but it won't fit into the PCe socket. So the "Sega Genesis" is the sega megadrive right? and the sega megadrive 2 power adapter is different to the sega megadrive 1 power adapter because it won't fit.

Btw, my main question, is everyone saying I need a sega mega drive 1 adapter AND a step down transformer? or just the adapter itself will be enough?

[Arkhan]

Oh.  you need a Model 1 adapter.  They changed stuff after that.

If I had to guess, since you got a Japanese unit designed around their power voltage (110) and you live in the UK (220), you will need a step down AND a Japanese/USA Genesis/Mega Drive adapter.

like this:

220v Wall Outlet w/ Europlug ----> Step Down transformer ------> Japanese/USA (2 pin) Genesis / Megadrive 1 adapter -----> PCE

that way you dont feed it too much power.

The problem with the UK / Euro plug adapters shown on that site is they will feed too much power in to the PCE.

[TheMilford]

All you need is ANY 9vdc / 650ma or more / Tip-NEGATIVE power supply with the same sized barrel connector, made for your country of origin (UK, EU, etc)

As for TV hookup you just need a 75 ohm cable with an RCA on one end (console) and a F-type or Coaxial on the TV end.... you don't need a switch box. You can make the cable up from a video cable with an adapter on one side or you can make a dedicated cable.

[FlashGameMaker]

All you need is ANY 9vdc / 650ma or more / Tip-NEGATIVE power supply with the same sized barrel connector, made for your country of origin (UK, EU, etc)

As for TV hookup you just need a 75 ohm cable with an RCA on one end (console) and a F-type or Coaxial on the TV end.... you don't need a switch box. You can make the cable up from a video cable with an adapter on one side or you can make a dedicated cable.

err...but the other guy said I need a step down transformer for the UK? and a japanese/USA adapter?

[TheMilford]

All you need is ANY 9vdc / 650ma or more / Tip-NEGATIVE power supply with the same sized barrel connector, made for your country of origin (UK, EU, etc)

As for TV hookup you just need a 75 ohm cable with an RCA on one end (console) and a F-type or Coaxial on the TV end.... you don't need a switch box. You can make the cable up from a video cable with an adapter on one side or you can make a dedicated cable.

err...but the other guy said I need a step down transformer for the UK? and a japanese/USA adapter?

You only need the step-down if you are using a Japan or US power supply/AC/DC/ADAPTER...

Here's a universal that should work... you just need to make sure you can set it up for Tip-negative.