so I bought a PcE from ebay..

[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?

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.

Do you know if a UK Snes adapter would work?

[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.

Do you know if a UK Snes adapter would work?

what are the spec's on that?

[TheMilford]

I just looked at my US SNES power supply and the rating in 10vdc @ 850mA which would be fine... however the barrel connector is to large. you could always run over to your local Tandy/Radio Shack and get a universal adapter.

[FlashGameMaker]

I just looked at my US SNES power supply and the rating in 10vdc @ 850mA which would be fine... however the barrel connector is to large. you could always run over to your local Tandy/Radio Shack and get a universal adapter.

I've got a UK snes adapter, and it says "Input AC 230/240v ~ 50hz 17w" "Output AC 9v 1.3a"

nuts, it outputs AC, just realised, and the PCe needs DC doesn't it?

ok so I need a 9V UK ac to dc adapter

[TheMilford]

Yes.

just make sure the output is DC and 9-10v. Make sure the current is 650mA or higher... 1A or more would be great.

This might work:
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/psu443-switch-mode-dc-power-supply-9vdc-1000ma.htm

[Arkhan]

Will a UK SNES adapter even fit?  The US ones dont fit in a Genesis/Master System/NES/PCE.

And you only need a step down if you buy Japanese cables/adapters.  I'd just recommend that since you'd be getting cables designed for the actual system, and then step down your countries voltage for it.

That one site that was linked to has Japanese adapters that work, AND stepdown transformers, so its got what you need.  (You also need the step down since Japanese adapters have a different connector that wont fit in a europlug)

I'd still be skeptical about putting a UK power adapter into a Japanese system.  But thats just me.

[TheMilford]

I'd still be skeptical about putting a UK power adapter into a Japanese system.  But thats just me.

Why? Correct specs are correct specs. You will even be fine with +/-10% on the voltage... just spec the current higher to be safe and run cool and make sure the plug fits and the polarity is correct. There's no magic, holy-water in using a PCE wall-wart

I think the SAFEST, MOST EFFICIENT and CHEAPEST solution would be to find a wall-wart designed to run on your country's voltage. What's on the output end just needs to meet the specs already mentioned above. High-voltage Step-up/down Transformers can be dubious at times.

[Arkhan]

I'd still be skeptical about putting a UK power adapter into a Japanese system.  But thats just me.

Why? Correct specs are correct specs. You will even be fine with +/-10% on the voltage... just spec the current higher to be safe and run cool and make sure the plug fits and the polarity is correct. There's no magic, holy-water in using a PCE wall-wart

I think the SAFEST, MOST EFFICIENT and CHEAPEST solution would be to find a wall-wart designed to run on your country's voltage. What's on the output end just needs to meet the specs already mentioned above. High-voltage Step-up/down Transformers can be dubious at times.

I suppose thats from my dealings with Commodore 64: The Testy computer of the 1980s!  heh

[Spector]

But as I said in an earlier post, you can buy a power adaptor on that website I linked to that will work on many consoles including the PC Engine. There's no problem with it, and it only costs £6.

[TheMilford]

But as I said in an earlier post, you can buy a power adaptor on that website I linked to that will work on many consoles including the PC Engine. There's no problem with it, and it only costs £6.

Yes Yes... Buy this...


# AC 230V to DC 9V mains adaptor/power supply
# Output 9V DC, 1.2A, center negative

[FlashGameMaker]

Yes.

just make sure the output is DC and 9-10v. Make sure the current is 650mA or higher... 1A or more would be great.

This might work:
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/psu443-switch-mode-dc-power-supply-9vdc-1000ma.htm

Why is the 650mA or higher important? I found one on ebay but it only had a max of 300mA, would that of been ok anyway?

[Necromancer]

Why is the 650mA or higher important? I found one on ebay but it only had a max of 300mA, would that of been ok anyway?

No.  That number is the measure of the amount of electric charge the converter is capable of providing; a lower rated converter would not provide enough power.

[TheMilford]

Without going into a lesson on electronics

The power supply needs to be able to supply enough current that the system "draws"... otherwise you will overheat the power supply or worse fry the system.

Rule of thumb:

Voltages should be within 10% of specified.
Power supply current rating should be same or greater than specified.

[pcenginesales]

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

Not true with the PC Engine, I periodically use the wrong polarity when testing a power supply which has no markings on to indicate polarity. The PC Engine just fails to operate under wrong polarity, so it is my testing unit.

Also the SNES power supply for the UK system is AC not DC. I know this, because if you use DC on the UK SNES it fries it, but SNESes from other territories use DC. Be careful is all I can say.

[TheMilford]

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

Not true with the PC Engine, I periodically use the wrong polarity when testing a power supply which has no markings on to indicate polarity. The PC Engine just fails to operate under wrong polarity, so it is my testing unit.

Well it's only a matter of time then before you fry your PCE.

the PCE may have a regulator or diodes at the power input that protects it against such shenanigans.