IFU-30 PSU specs

[moonwhistle]

I'm trying to get a generic UK PSU for an IFU-30.

I know I need 9V DC 1450MA / inside negative polarity.

I'm trying to find out the jack size that plugs into the console as it is a strange size.

Does anyone know the dimensions or part number please?

Thanks. 

[incrediblehark]

Its the same as this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3807938&clickid=prod_cs

5mm outside, 2.5mm inside

Hope this helps!

[soop]

That enercell range is great, but you need a UK adaptor to use the plugs.  I bought this one: http://www.radioshackuk.co.uk/epages/BT2533.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT2533/Products/661-0401 and it's pretty good.

If you buy this one, it's possible that one of the supplied plugs will fit anyway.  We know so far that the supplied pins fit:
Duo
Super Grafx
PCE/Core Grafx
Shuttle
Megdrive
Megadrive II/Nomad/Multimega*

So if the IFU-30 uses the same dimensions as any of these it will work.

*EDIT* I've just seen that the one I use only supplies 1000mAh, so it won't be appropriate.

*I think.  It's not going to be the same one you want anyway

[moonwhistle]

Thank you both.

This one has the right ampage but I'm unsure of the polarity and jack size. I'm wondering if 5.5mm x 2.5mm will be close enough.
http://www.radioshackuk.co.uk/epages/BT2533.sf/sec77b4820ea4/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT2533/Products/661-0403

I also found this one on Ebay that has switchable polarity too but again not sure about the jack size.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120704410932&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I know the jack size ison the IFU 30 definately difference to the common size for megadrive ,SNES, Core grafx etc..

I suppose I could always just order one and cut the jack off the 110v PSU (with stepdown) I currenly use and attach it to a new PSU. Is this hard to do?

[soop]

Thank you both.

This one has the right ampage but I'm unsure of the polarity and jack size. I'm wondering if 5.5mm x 2.5mm will be close enough.
http://www.radioshackuk.co.uk/epages/BT2533.sf/sec77b4820ea4/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT2533/Products/661-0403

I also found this one on Ebay that has switchable polarity too but again not sure about the jack size.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120704410932&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I know the jack size ison the IFU 30 definately difference to the common size for megadrive ,SNES, Core grafx etc..

I suppose I could always just order one and cut the jack off the 110v PSU (with stepdown) I currenly use and attach it to a new PSU. Is this hard to do?

It's not very hard to do, I fixed a PSU using some epoxy putty, but you don't even need to do that.

The first one, is almost certainly reversable polarity - there is usually 2 pins, and if you swap it 180 degrees, it swaps the polarity.

[incrediblehark]

i think the 5.0 x 2.1 mm jack might work, but even if none of those jacks actually fit, replacement jacks are interchangeable even between brands. its just the 2 pins on the end that also change polarity.

[moonwhistle]

Well I got this one: http://www.radioshackuk.co.uk/epages/BT2533.sf/sec77b4820ea4/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT2533/Products/661-0403

The conntector fits fine and it will boot the ifu 30 but when I press run to load the disc it just spins but doesn't load.

I'm fairly certain that means it's not getting enough ampage. What a pain in the ass. The system works perfectly with a 110v PSU and stepdown so that's not the problem.

I've heard these multi PSUs sometimes wont provide max ampage at higher voltages and it's 1.5A model PSU and needs 1.45A.

I'm gonna have to return it but I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle of trying the 2A version instead?

[moonwhistle]

I sent the radioshack psu back and bought a generic 9v 1.5A PSU instead.

The problems continue though. I cut the jack of the new psu and attached the correct jack from the 110v psu that came with the system. I attached it by striping the wires, twisting them together and electrical taping them.

It all works fine but the picture has some light artifacting / snow effect running through it. I presuming it's interferance. Could it be due to the way I connected the wires? I hope it's not another dodgy PSU.

This is turning into a massive pain in the ass. ;-(

[soop]

I'm guessing it could be to do with the voltage :/  apparantly the 9v rating is the guaranteed minimum, so it could be that the old PSU was delivering more voltage, and this new one is delivering exactly 9v?

Was the first PSU the actual original version?

[moonwhistle]

I'm guessing it could be to do with the voltage :/  apparantly the 9v rating is the guaranteed minimum, so it could be that the old PSU was delivering more voltage, and this new one is delivering exactly 9v?

Was the first PSU the actual original version?

The new one is rated at exactly 9V 1.5A and isn't changeable.

The old one isn't original. It's a HP brand 9V 2A model. It's 110V and it worked fine in short bursts but it kept overheating, probably due to the cheap stepdown I was using.

[grahf]

I hate to suggest this, but it might be the capacitors. I have two extra junk condition IFU-30s, and one of them has the same snowy picture as you describe (plus a bit staticky sound). I don't think the interface units are as prone to capacitor failure as the Duos, but it's a possibility. Especially if you have one of the newer IFUs, that doesn't say IFU-30 on the cover.

[soop]

I hate to suggest this, but it might be the capacitors. I have two extra junk condition IFU-30s, and one of them has the same snowy picture as you describe (plus a bit staticky sound). I don't think the interface units are as prone to capacitor failure as the Duos, but it's a possibility. Especially if you have one of the newer IFUs, that doesn't say IFU-30 on the cover.

I hate to suggest this, but it might be the capacitors. I have two extra junk condition IFU-30s, and one of them has the same snowy picture as you describe (plus a bit staticky sound). I don't think the interface units are as prone to capacitor failure as the Duos, but it's a possibility. Especially if you have one of the newer IFUs, that doesn't say IFU-30 on the cover.

The crazy thing is, he has a stepdown and a PSU which works.  I'm sure he'd have mentioned if the picture was affected using this adaptor.
As strange as it sounds, it seems the issue is linked inextricably to the PSU.

[grahf]

Ahh, OK. Sorry I missed that.  Whew! 

[moonwhistle]

Third time lucky, I finally sorted out a working power supply for the IFU-30.

So for anyone else in the UK / Europe needs one what I'd recommend is a higher ampage multi voltage PSU. I went with a maplin 2.25A max switchable PSU and it works a charm.

A 1.5A switchable PSU will not work despite the unit only needing 1.45A. Most if not all switchable PSUs cannot supply the max rated ampage at the higher voltages so always choose a higher rated model than you need.

[soop]

Excellent, thanks for that.  Do you have a link?  I just bought an IFU the other day, and I'm waiting for it to arrive