Non Atari AC Adapter, Mod needed?

[delanok]

I found a non-Atari ac adapter with the stereo plug. The specs on the adapter state 9.75 V DC and 650 mA. I thought it might work. The tip is positive and negative below the black line. However, when I measure the voltage with my VOM, it reads 13.65 Volts. What is the voltage range the console will tolerate and what is the typical variation of the Atari AC adapter voltage? I don't want to power up my console with it until I'm sure it won't burn it out!

[Benzman66]

I found a non-Atari ac adapter with the stereo plug. The specs on the adapter state 9.75 V DC and 650 mA. I thought it might work. The tip is positive and negative below the black line. However, when I measure the voltage with my VOM, it reads 13.65 Volts. What is the voltage range the console will tolerate and what is the typical variation of the Atari AC adapter voltage? I don't want to power up my console with it until I'm sure it won't burn it out!

 

You'll be ok with it. If you measure a 9v Atari adaptor, it gives almost the same readings. The power regulator in the Atari will only pull what it needs to power the console.

[A.J. Franzman]

First, an unregulated transformer-based AC-to-DC adapter will normally put out a voltage well above its rating if there is no load on it. Second, depending on which version of the voltage regulator and filter capacitor are in the console, it will tolerate at least 16 volts and possibly up to 35 volts -- though it would probably run quite hot at 35 volts, and likely go into thermal overload shutdown unless a better heatsink were installed.

[Synthead]

First, an unregulated transformer-based AC-to-DC adapter will normally put out a voltage well above its rating if there is no load on it. Second, depending on which version of the voltage regulator and filter capacitor are in the console, it will tolerate at least 16 volts and possibly up to 35 volts -- though it would probably run quite hot at 35 volts, and likely go into thermal overload shutdown unless a better heatsink were installed.

 

Was about to say exactly the same thing. Just double check to make sure the polarity is correct!

[delanok]

First, an unregulated transformer-based AC-to-DC adapter will normally put out a voltage well above its rating if there is no load on it. Second, depending on which version of the voltage regulator and filter capacitor are in the console, it will tolerate at least 16 volts and possibly up to 35 volts -- though it would probably run quite hot at 35 volts, and likely go into thermal overload shutdown unless a better heatsink were installed.

 

Was about to say exactly the same thing. Just double check to make sure the polarity is correct!

 

 

Thanks to all; very helpful. I do have an Atari adapter also and I will double check the polarity.