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View Full Version : How do you power Euro consoles with US outlets?



o2william
04-23-2004, 07:51 PM
My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere. I searched but didn't find anything.

I have a European console (a G7400 if you're curious) that I want to use here in the United States. For now, I'm only concerned with powering the machine on, not with PAL/NTSC issues (will worry about that later).

I know Euro outlets output 220V and US outlets only output 120V. I also know the console's power requirements: 12V and 5V, 12V 0.1A and 5V 1.5A, 12 Watts. It has a European power plug, with two "pegs" as opposed to American "prongs."

I'm no expert in electrical things, but I figure I'll need a power converter. I found this one:
http://www.voltageconverters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=VC100

Seems to me it should work. My question is, can anybody confirm it? Also, does anyone know of a better/cheaper Euro->US voltage conversion method?

This is part of the research for my G7400 Import Guide (http://www.classicgaming.com/o2home/faq/g7400mod/) by the way, so all help is doubly appreciated!

Raccoon Lad
04-23-2004, 08:58 PM
Hmmm, I think euro plugs are the same as the 220 lines that would be used to hook up a stove, or perhaps an electric dryer. You could always try that....or you could just find an equivalent US style AC adapter.

davidleeroth
04-24-2004, 05:13 AM
You could have a look at the PSU board and see if it has markings like 110/220 or similar noting a different wiring for different voltages. It's unlikely but worth a look.
And if it doesn't, at $14 a power converter is a good deal. Everyone should have one just in case.

Mayhem
04-24-2004, 08:21 AM
You'd need a step-up convertor, to transform the 110v power supply you have into the 220v the power module in the console wants. Failing that, if the GX7000 uses an external power supply, you can substitute something that would provide the same internal power requirements it wants.