Boring questions regarding Super Famicom + Power Supply

[layzee]

Okay... firstly, the situation:

Assume Power Supply Unit (PSU) = Power Adapter = Power Cord = Power Cable = Power Lead. Whatever supplies power to the console.

I live in Australia, thus our (and the UK's) electronic appliances (e.g. game consoles) run at around 220v-240v. American/Japanese appliances, such as my Super Famicom (SFC) here run at 100v-110v.

The SFC's model is: SHVC-001
On the back of the console, where the PSU should be plugged, it is marked "DC".

When I bought my SFC, it came with an AC Power Adapter with the following shown on the label:

"AUS" (Australian)
Input: AC240v 50Hz 17W
Output: AC9v 1.3A

This is a PAL Nintendo (Not Super Nintendo) PSU.

The "prongs" are like this: / \

Note: Unlike the US/JAP, which is: | |

I have a spare PAL SNES AC PSU with the same specifications as the above, but I assume it won't work.

According to this thread: http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=50065

the person claims that a PAL Nintendo (not SNES) PSU, the one I got with my SFC, would actually work with a Super Famicom (without needing a step down transformer). This wasn't confirmed though in that same thread.

Also, in various threads in this forum, people claim that a UK Sega Mega Drive 1 Power Supply Unit would work fine with a SFC. I have one, except it's an Australian one (any difference to the UK's?), and it's an AC PSU, not DC which is what the SFC console apparently needs:

AS N/11921
MODEL NO: 1602-03
AC ADAPTOR FOR USE WITH MEGA DRIVE
INPUT: 250V ~ 50Hz 19W
OUTPUT: 10V - 1.2A

+ ----(o---- -

The "prongs" are like this: / \

So with the above information in mind, I have 3 questions:

1) Would a PAL AUS NES AC PSU work with a SFC being used in a 220v country (i.e. Australia)?

2) Would a PAL AUS (any difference to UK?) SMD AC PSU work with an SFC being used in a 220v country (i.e. Australia)?

3) If both of the above doesn't work, what can I do? (Note that I have a 100w Step Down Transformer which I currently use with my Japanese PS2)

Also have 1 somewhat unrelated question:

According to some posts in this thread: http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=16969

It is claimed Nintendo consoles don't require a step down transformer since all that is done in the PSU itself. e.g. You can use an NTSC console with a PAL PSU. Anyone know the full story on this?

Does this mean SNES/SFCs are immune from getting fried due to voltage differences? Seems a bit unlikely...

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I would appreciate any help to lessen the chances of me frying my SFC.

[Abhisara]

1. A SFC requires an input voltage of 10V DC (but a PAL SNES requires 9V AC). The NES PSU you have (which is the same as a PAL SNES PSU) outputs 9V AC and so would not be suitable.

2. The MD PSU you have outputs 10V DC ("-" is DC, "~" is AC) which is what you need so you should use that for your SFC instead. An Aus PSU should be identical to a UK one except obviously for the shape of the prongs. I've used one of these in the past for my SFC.

3. A third option is to buy one of those generic multivoltage AC-DC adaptors you find in most electrical shops. Set it to 9-10V and make sure it has a rating at least 850mA. I currently use one of these for my SFC.

When it comes to being able to use a NTSC console with a PAL PSU, the SNES/SFC is the one Nintendo console which does not follow this rule. You can still damage your console by using the wrong PSU.

[layzee]

Thanks for answering my questions! I guess that pretty much covers the info I need.

So even though the SMD1 PSU is marked "AC", it's still capable of "DC" huh. Interesting.

And just for curiosity's sake, what does a UK plug prong look like? I thought Aus and the UK have the same shape.

Thanks again, I will try out my SFC tomorrow.

[chaoticjelly]

SNES/NES PSU is AC to AC i.e. its converting your mains voltage, which is alternating current, to a smaller voltage to power the console, which is still an alternating current.

MD1 PSU as with most game console PSUs is AC to DC converting your mains voltage, which is alternating current, to a smaller voltage to power the console, which is now direct current.

A UK plug is two prongs (live and neutral) with an extra prong in the middle for earth..

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=uk+plug

Enjoy!

[layzee]

Cool, thanks for clearing that up! I understand this AC/DC electrical current thing a little better now.

I'm glad too that I don't need to use a Step Down Transformer, it has a habit of overheating after 1 hour, and hence shutting down my PS2 until it cools down. Not sure if that's supposed to happen, perhaps I should start a new thread on that.

Anyway, cheers.

[layzee]

I just tested my SFC and a few games (Estpolis Denki II, Seiken Densetsu 2, Ys III) with an AUS SMD PSU and it worked fine, just fine.

So glad it didn't blow up!

Cheerio.

[chaoticjelly]

Cool, thanks for clearing that up! I understand this AC/DC electrical current thing a little better now.

I'm glad too that I don't need to use a Step Down Transformer, it has a habit of overheating after 1 hour, and hence shutting down my PS2 until it cools down. Not sure if that's supposed to happen, perhaps I should start a new thread on that.

Anyway, cheers.

Is it a JPN PS2?

What voltage rating is your Step Down Transformer?

It may be that your Stepdown is actually designed for use with US appliances.

Whilst it will work, the stepdown will get quite hot with use, and may do what you described..

Generally theres a 20 volt difference between US and JPN voltage I believe, and thats what causes the heat etc.

[layzee]

Is it a JPN PS2?

Yeah, an NTSC-JP one.

What voltage rating is your Step Down Transformer?

It may be that your Stepdown is actually designed for use with US appliances.

Whilst it will work, the stepdown will get quite hot with use, and may do what you described..

The label on the StepDown states "240v-115v". The back label of the PS2 states it as "100v".

I guess the unneeded extra 15v is stored, gradually building up (and getting more hotter), then overheat? Although I understand there's supposed to be allowances and an "acceptable range" with variations in voltage.

Generally theres a 20 volt difference between US and JPN voltage I believe, and thats what causes the heat etc.

Or that. You mean JP consoles use 100v, while US consoles use 110-120v? I was not aware of the small voltage difference in JP/US consoles.