Advice on Imported Saturn / Power Adapter

[Lanzo]

Hey guys, so I have had a Japanese Sega Saturn for a few years now and I decided I finally wan't to play it. I am in America so I need a converter I have these wanted to know if they are safe to use. Or if you had a recommendation. They feel so cheap that I'm afraid to use them. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[FoxNtd]

First, you probably should've posted to the Import subforum.

Second, there is no conversion. Japan and USA have the same AC sockets. The only difference is voltage. Japan uses 100V AC as their standard, and in USA according to documentation I've seen, it can range from 110V-120V depending on location and such in the country. Voltage tolerance for Japanese consoles is comfortably sufficiently high enough that you don't need to do anything special and just plug it in like you would the US system. In fact for Saturn the hardware should be absolutely identical except for the jumper on the mobo that dictates what region the BIOS/firmware should impose. (Not sure if BOTH models SS use the jumper but I'm guessing they do.)

Third, it's up to you if you're worried, regarding a step-down transformer to drop the incoming AC to 100V but it SHOULD be safe without it. We have a thread on this very topic in which I participated and someone has shared that even on the SS motherboard itself it specifically states the voltage tolerance range. If memory serves it safely takes as high as 135-140?V AC. I think it's plausible to conclude they built them with the intent of shipping the same hardware to both Japan and North America. It seems like a logical idea but of course I can't support with evidence Sega did this consciously.

[Lanzo]

Ok. Thanks for you input. I guess it's not Japanese. Here is what I have. It's NTSC. Something Asian, made in Thailand.

[theclaw]

The one shown on that box is both ways. You need a power converter, and it plays only Japanese compatible games.

[Lanzo]

Okay last pic. It says 50/60 hz but I thought NTSC was different. Or is that both? Also, if someone wants to move this thread to the appropriate place they can. I don't think I can move it.

[FoxNtd]

Oh this is some Asian version outside of Japan. My comments apply specifically for the standard NTSC-J units made for the Japanese market, sold domestically over there. This unit, even if its region is NTSC-J, is marked with a power rating like a European model probably has. Maybe some of the PAL folks here can chime in since this is a familiar territory to them. You may after all require an adapter or converter to run this unit. I'm not sure.

[Lanzo]

Oh this is some Asian version outside of Japan. My comments apply specifically for the standard NTSC-J units made for the Japanese market, sold domestically over there. This unit, even if its region is NTSC-J, is marked with a power rating like a European model probably has. Maybe some of the PAL folks here can chime in since this is a familiar territory to them. You may after all require an adapter or converter to run this unit. I'm not sure.

I see. I assumed it was Japanese but after research I believe it's just a Honk Kong model which is the same as Japanese beside the power rating. I will probably choose a better option than those cheap converters I have.

I'm still a little confused with the HZ. Does it auto detect or something?

Thanks guys!

[theclaw]

Yes. Hz there refers to the power supply unit only.

[XYXZYZ]

I've been playing my Japanese Saturn plugged straight into 120V for years with no problems.

[fahlim003]

Okay last pic. It says 50/60 hz but I thought NTSC was different. Or is that both? Also, if someone wants to move this thread to the appropriate place they can. I don't think I can move it.

The voltage is the issue here. That photo describes it all. You'll need a step-down/up transformer to convert the US standard 120V to the 220/240V as specified that this system accepts.

[Pikkon]

Also you could just swap the psu for a US one,mind that it's the right one to fit into your system.

[wiggyx]

Also you could just swap the psu for a US one,mind that it's the right one to fit into your system.

This. Find a broken unit on eBay or wherever and swap the power board. Done.

[Lanzo]

This. Find a broken unit on eBay or wherever and swap the power board. Done.

Ok. I will either do this or just buy a working american one. I may still by a converter. At least I know my options now.

Thanks everyone!