darthkur Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 I usually use my 800xl but a bunch of games won't work on an XL and only will on an original 800. So I pulled it out of hiding and plugged it in...........nothing. No light, not even a flicker on the screen. I made sure the cartridge door was down and even sanded both the power input and the plug that goes into it, since it did look a bit grimy. I even checked to see if the ROM pack leads were clean, which they were. What are the main culprits in this situation and how to check? This is very depressing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Is there power getting to the console? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodLightning Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Check the power supply first using a multimeter set to measure AC. Output at the plug end to the Atari should be about 10.7 volts AC under no load. The 400/800 power supplies have a glass fuse inside that can blow and disable the output line. I think some have screws and can be opened for inspection. Others must be cut open. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 I can't seem to find any info on the polarity for the plug tip for this adapter? Is the center positive or negative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Cade Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 It's AC, there is no polarity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) It's AC, there is no polarity. Aahhh......that shows how little I know about it all. Just wanted to make sure that I didn't fry anything, including myself. Edited April 14, 2016 by darthkur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Ok, so here's the results. These two are when the adapter isn't plugged in. And these are from when it is plugged into a power strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Cade Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) Adapter appears to be bad... although it's curious that you get a reading when it's not plugged in. Are the batteries in the multimeter known good? Mine has crazy readings with a low battery... Edited April 14, 2016 by R.Cade 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 The battery is old. I'll go buy another one and see if I get different results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 You get a reading because of that transmission tower across town. The transformer inside the adapter acts as an antenna and "generates" small amounts of power on the order of microwatts or nanowatts. The village chiropractor likes to touch us with these same probes and then sell us vitamins based on the readings. He goes through this whole ritual of looking through books and charts and recording readings from his Fluke 87 DMM. He tends to sell us fish oil, or B-vitamins in the winter and C & D in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Alright. Fresh battery in. Not plugged in. Plugged in. Even though you can't see in the final picture both leads are connected and I'm getting a "very metal" reading of 6.66. So since this isn't getting around the 9 volts that it's supposed is it safe to say that is why the 800 will not come on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Cade Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Yep- bad adapter it would appear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 I've also seen a lot of sellers on ebay listing the model CO 17945 that came with the 1050 drives as working with the 800, which I do have an extra of since I have multiple drives. The ratings area lot higher on those, 50W and 31VA versus 18.5W and 15.3VA on the CO 14319 that I have been using with the 800. Is it actually safe to use that other model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodLightning Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 The 1050 drive power supply works fine with 400/800 computers. I'm pretty sure that later 400/800 computers shipped with C017945 from the factory. No worries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 The 1050 drive power supply works fine with 400/800 computers. I'm pretty sure that later 400/800 computers shipped with C017945 from the factory. No worries. SWEET!!!!! Thanks so much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Moss Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 I've also seen a lot of sellers on ebay listing the model CO 17945 that came with the 1050 drives as working with the 800, which I do have an extra of since I have multiple drives. The ratings area lot higher on those, 50W and 31VA versus 18.5W and 15.3VA on the CO 14319 that I have been using with the 800. Is it actually safe to use that other model? For AC supplies... Same voltage but more current is fine as the unit being powered will only draw as much current as it requires. More voltage and same current = more power dissipation in the internal voltage regulation circuits of the unit being powered so not a good idea. Same voltage and less current = more power dissipation in the power unit and less output voltage due to increased losses in the transformer so also not a good idea. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthkur Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 For AC supplies... Same voltage but more current is fine as the unit being powered will only draw as much current as it requires. More voltage and same current = more power dissipation in the internal voltage regulation circuits of the unit being powered so not a good idea. Same voltage and less current = more power dissipation in the power unit and less output voltage due to increased losses in the transformer so also not a good idea. Thanks for explaining this. This will relieve a lot of stress and uncertainty when future, similar events occur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 One thing to note is if the wall wart is unregulated you want to stick fairly close to the original current If the transformer inside the power pack is not loaded enough its voltage will ride higher than normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Kinda like my shorts on a hot and sweaty day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 eww Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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