Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Safe voltages for systems?

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    64
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default Safe voltages for systems?

    I am wondering if it would be a big deal to use a 9.4v instead of a 9? What do you think the limit would be? Do different systems respond differently to different voltages? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Peach (Level 3) izarate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Mexico
    Posts
    603
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    With most systems it should be fine. The internal voltage regulator will take care of the extra 0.4V. Most consoles have one.

    Depending on the regulator used by the console the range is different. The LM7805 (a very common 5V regulator) can handle up to 35V if I recall correctly.

    What are you trying to power up?
    Last edited by izarate; 06-10-2008 at 11:34 PM.

  3. #3
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    64
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by izarate View Post
    With most systems it should be fine. The internal voltage regulator will take care of the extra 0.4V.

    Depending on the regulator used by the console the range is different. The LM7805 (a very common 5V regulator) can handle up to 35V if I recall correctly.

    What are you trying to power up?
    I was mainly wondering about a NES, but I was also wondering about it in general. Thanks for the help.

  4. #4
    Great Puma (Level 12) jb143's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,246
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    69
    Thanked in
    62 Posts

    Default

    An NES input is 9V AC. I seriouly doubt that 9.4V will hurt, especially since I just measured my NES adaptor and it was 10.79V AC. That's very common with AC adaptors. It's usually just an estimated "close enough" type of thing.
    Last edited by jb143; 06-10-2008 at 11:46 PM.
    "Game programmers are generally lazy individuals. That's right. It's true. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since the dawn of computer games, game programmers have looked for shortcuts to coolness." Kurt Arnlund - Game programmer for Activision, Accolade...

  5. #5
    Apple (Level 5) Superman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,025
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I've never had a problem with slightly over powering a NES.

    If you give it a little too much, there may be some interference and the system may hum or buzz. My friend lost his power adapter and used another one, at a higher voltage, which caused the noises, but we played it for many hours without any problems.

    The amount of power you are talking about, however, shouldn't cause any noticeable or actual problems.

  6. #6
    Banned

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    400
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Cool thing about the NES is that you can use a DC adapter and get away fine. The NES has a rectifier right at the voltage input.

    Oh, btw, measure a linear powerbrick under load for acurrate voltage measuring. Without a load you always get a higher reading.

  7. #7
    Banana (Level 7) SkiDragon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    1,445
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by evildragon View Post
    Cool thing about the NES is that you can use a DC adapter and get away fine. The NES has a rectifier right at the voltage input.
    If you use a DC adapter, what pins should be positive and negative?
    Rarest games in collection: (R8) Chavez II for SNES / (R7) Star Gunner (Telesys) for Atari 2600
    Game Collection -- Game Commercials -- Favorite Game: Secret of Mana
    Wii code: 2572 7867 9177 9866 Smash: 0259-0110-4026

  8. #8
    Great Puma (Level 12) jb143's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,246
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    69
    Thanked in
    62 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SkiDragon View Post
    If you use a DC adapter, what pins should be positive and negative?
    It probally doesn't matter. It's rectified to the corrrect polarity inside the NES.
    "Game programmers are generally lazy individuals. That's right. It's true. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since the dawn of computer games, game programmers have looked for shortcuts to coolness." Kurt Arnlund - Game programmer for Activision, Accolade...

  9. #9
    Banned

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    400
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    correct, polarity doesn't matter...

Similar Threads

  1. safe temperature for storing games and systems
    By psx95 in forum Technical and Restoration Society
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-28-2010, 03:50 PM
  2. What voltages does ST-V run off?
    By JimmyDean in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-09-2010, 12:08 AM
  3. So, is it safe to buy a 360 yet?
    By Lord_Magus in forum Modern Gaming
    Replies: 54
    Last Post: 04-08-2010, 09:18 AM
  4. Gun safe, anybody using one?
    By Nescollector in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 02-22-2007, 04:15 PM
  5. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-08-2005, 02:38 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •