wondermega power question?

[dvdx2]

I`m using a step down 240v-110 for my wondermega. The jap wondermega transformer (9.5v/1.5a) is then pluged into this and the machine works fine .

However after around 1hour of use, the console (around where the 9.5v jack is plugged into), gets very hot!!

I was wondering if this step is providing too much power or it is normal for megadrive/wondermega units to get very hot where you plug the power in.

Do you think I need a higher wattage stepdown or could I use a normal multi-voltage transformer 240 - 9v @ 1.5a. Thus cutting out the need for a stepdown.

any advice would be appreciated.

[MD]

They shouldnt get that hot... however quick maths lesson...

Japan is 100V, however most step downs just half the voltage, the UK is around 220 to 230V (it's quite rare to get 240V now), half of this is 110V/115V. The transformer you get is steping down a tenth of the voltage. Normally you would get 9.5 to 10V through the normal PSU, as the voltage in is higher you are going to get a higher voltage out, this will be around 11V (use a multimeter and it should read around 11.5 to 12.5V without a load, the voltage drops when there is a load (console...)). The regulator in the machine will turn this into heat so this is what you are feeling.

Using a MD2 PSU will work but due to the higher current drain, the PSU will burn out rather quickly. MD1 PSUs work better but you need an adaptor and these will still burn out after a few months use. You would think a PSU rated at 1.5A would work well but if you use it a lot then you will still find it will burn out after a few months (went through 4 PSUs with my first Wondermega).

The solution is to use a stepdown which will give you exactly 100V from a 230V input (these are going to be around 50 quid) or buy a PSU which will give 9V at 2amps, these are tricky to find but not impossible. Switched mode PSUs work best but these will cost around 30 quid...

[dvdx2]

Thanks for that m8.

Had it running for about 2 hours last night, and it really wasn`t that hot. (I think i was being abit paranoid)

cheers,

Andy