Sega CD. Are there models that don't need a power adapter?

[Slate]

I recall some years ago hearing of a Sega CD Ver. 2 that didn't need its own power adapter to run. It would run off the Genesis even though it may have had a power input. I heard about one of these in an eBay auction and another somewhere here on DP, I don't know the model number of it so that's why I'm here. Does anyone here know about this or if it needs a special model of Genesis to run without the power adapter? Its bugging me so hopefully I can get this cleared up. Or maybe some folks here could try running their Sega CD without a power adapter, Its their call.

Austin

[Ace]

Where did you hear this? As far as I know, the only way a Sega CD can run off one power supply is if it's modified to send power into the Genesis(which requires you to use a more powerful power supply than the one Sega provides). Every Sega CD requires the use of a power supply. If you find one that only needs 1 power supply, it's been modified.

[jb143]

Isn't it the 32X that can work without it's power adaptor?

[phreakindee]

I have a "V.2" Sega CD and it needs the power supply for sure.

Unless you count something like the X'Eye or Wondermega, I don't see how a Sega CD could run without its own power as it's a pretty hefty CD player unit that draws a nice bit of juice.

[Urzu402]

Although this probably isn't what you mean, I ran my Sega CD and Genesis off the same power cord for quite a while but then one day there was a power outage and the power brick overheated. The power brick had 3 plugs at the end of it. One went into the Genesis and one went into the Sega CD. So they were both drawing power from the same AC Adaptor. I don't know what that last plug was for but probably the 32X.

[Logicdustbin]

you can modify a model 1 genesis to power a model 2 CD.

it would seem that Sega planned to have the Genesis power the CD, but for some reason decided against it, maybe they wanted to make money selling Sega branded power strips that would fit all thoughs plugs :P

[Natty Bumppo]

You might be thinking of the Sega CDX.

The laseractive would also fit the bill, albeit in a roundabout way.

[retroman]

i have never heard of this, and i have Sega CD ver1 and 2, CDX, and JVC Xeye..not a official release of that anyway...im sure u could mod something though.

[jb143]

Looking at the Genesis expansion port pinout, they do share a power connection. Which means that it it should be possible. However, it could have too much drain from a single power supply that could eventually cause problems.

The site below suggests the other way around(that the Genesis could be powered from the Sega CD unit).
http://www.gamesx.com/cartouts/gennyport.htm

[Slate]

So there's a mod one can do to power both? Perhaps that's what I heard about. I have no idea if that's really it but its a good guess. Thanks for the replies everyone, Feel free to keep discussing it if you want though.

Austin

[nhm]

There used to be a tutorial here:
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/tutorials.html
but it looks like everything has been removed.
Basically, there is one wire that you need to solder in the Model 1 Genesis, and this will power the Sega CD. You will, however, need to get a higher powered adapter.