SNES Power Adapter Substitute?

[crazyjackcsa]

I just picked up a bare SNES, any idea of what I can swap in for a power adapter? I know the NES is a tank when it comes to these things, and most anything will work (within reason) how about the SNES. It's supposed to have 10V 850ma. Would a 9v 1000 work? How a bout 12v around 750ma? Any ideas?

TT

[Steve W]

There's several brand new generic power supplies being made now, I did a quick Google Maps search in your area for game stores that might possibly carry something like that but didn't see anything locally. You might just want to order one from Amazon.Canuck. For example, this one right here. (http://www.amazon.ca/Power-Adapter-BRAND-SNES-Genesis/dp/B001S2VT6I/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324341198&sr=8-1-fkmr1)

[SparTonberry]

I just picked up a bare SNES, any idea of what I can swap in for a power adapter? I know the NES is a tank when it comes to these things, and most anything will work (within reason) how about the SNES. It's supposed to have 10V 850ma. Would a 9v 1000 work? How a bout 12v around 750ma? Any ideas?

TT

I hear 9-12V is reasonable but you definitely want something with an equal or higher mA rating.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

You'll have to buy a third party one. Funny thing, I JUST bought one myself today. Expect to pay around $12.

[kedawa]

You can't really substitute a different AC adaptor unless you either change the power jack on the SNES, or have a spare cable from an SNES brick. The connector is proprietary and unique to the SNES.

[Gameguy]

The only compatible type of adapter is one from a Virtual Boy as they're both the exact same thing, you can't just use any other type of adapter because of the connection used on it. Unless you swap the cable from a defective SNES adapter with some other power supply.

[kedawa]

I had no idea about the VB. I guess it's not unique to SNES after all.

[theclaw]

I've heard Korean SNES may have also used the connector.

[Gameguy]

I had no idea about the VB. I guess it's not unique to SNES after all.
The Virtual Boy adapter set just came with the same SNES power adapter with a part that fit into the Virtual Boy's battery compartment. The adapter says it's for use with the SNES or Virtual Boy console. It's sort of like how the official N64 or Gamecube RF hookup came packaged with an adapter to plug into the AV port, the actual cable itself has the same standard hookup as it always did.

[TimTendo]

I wouldn't exactly recommend anything beyond a genuine SNES power adapter. I've had experience with a 3rd party adapter, and unless this only extends as far as that particular one, they can't seem to handle any games that utilize extra chips, like the Super FX games, as they cause dark/bright lines to scroll down the screen on said games.

[FABombjoy]

The SNES uses a standard 7805 regulator, so all of the transformers that you've quoted above would probably work, other than needing to change the jack or plug to fit.

The only caveat is that Nintendo didn't use any thermal compound between the regulator and heat sink, at least on all the SNES units that I've ever seen. If you go up in voltage on the transformer, you should consider opening up your SNES and adding some. That should probably be done regardless, but higher voltages on the input will translate into even more heat.

[Pikkon]

I've heard Korean SNES may have also used the connector.


Indeed it does.

[understatement]

I wouldn’t go with aftermarket if I had a choice. If I couldn’t get the original I would go with something like this http://www.markdownalley.com/ShowItem.cfm?itemid=1476&catid=114 and if that’s a no go the Adaptaplug for the SNES is the R type like here http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3912655 and http://bentronics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=322 then I’d find a plug that worked with the SNES and make my own.

[jb143]

If you don't mind "modding" the SNES case then it's not too hard to install a more common power jack. I did this for my 7800 when I couldn't find an adapter. SNES adapters aren't too uncommon though. I run into them at Goodwill from time to time.

[nothingisttrue]

There's several brand new generic power supplies being made now, I did a quick Google Maps search in your area for game stores that might possibly carry something like that but didn't see anything locally. You might just want to order one from Amazon.Canuck. For example, this one right here. (http://www.amazon.ca/Power-Adapter-BRAND-SNES-Genesis/dp/B001S2VT6I/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324341198&sr=8-1-fkmr1)

did you read the reviews before you posted that?
lol.

"do not buy this if you don't want to risk blowing your snes up."
"Piece of junk. Sega Genesis requires 9vdc input. This product labeled 10 vdc but puts out 15 vdc. Now my system is dead!!!!"
"I tried using one of these multi-adapters after finding a cable-less SNES from the thrift store. It worked reliably for roughly a month, after which it performance became increasingly bizarre. Rolling green lines, a 'delay' in the system powering on... I thought it was the hardware acting up for awhile. A 'new' official adapter quickly disproved that theory. It's just fortunate that the hardware wasn't damaged by this... THING..."

[Jamtex]

Any regulated (important, so nasty cheap ones are not) 9 to 11V DC, 850ma or better (no point going above 1.2A) PSU will do the job as long as it uses a two pin system for putting power tips on, the tip can be bought from Radio Shack it is Adaptaplug R. Remember that it is negative polarity.