Trew Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Is there such a thing? I just bought a connector that converts microUSB to Sony PSP Male AC... (first link below) so I can use portable power banks to charge it on the road -- but it can also be used to power the PSP as if it were on mains. This made me wonder if there was something similar with the right tip for the Lynx (something like the second link -- not sure it's the right size?). Would make it a little more portable. I know there's the official battery pack, and that hooj PowerPak thing, but portable USB batteries are much smaller and or convenient. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-PSP-DC-Power-Jack-Plug-Male-to-Micro-Female-USB-Charger-Cable-Lead-Adapter-/401025334099?hash=item5d5ef8fb53:g:jooAAMXQVERS1Rqe http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-2-0-A-to-3-5mm-Barrel-Connector-Jack-M-M-5V-DC-Power-Adapter-Converter-Cable-/400926655541?hash=item5d59174435:g:VdAAAOSwpDdVXFxa Would this even work power-wise (I've little clue on such things). Edited November 21, 2015 by Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 PSP was designed to run at 5v from the power jack so it was easy to get USB to PSP power connector. Older game systems (Lynx, Game Gear, and Turboexpress) were all designed for higher power input. Internally they do run at 5v so if you can mod it and feed 5v into those spots, bypassing 5v regulator it can work but it's more work than a simple cable adapter for PSP. USB 1.x and 2.x also only provide max 100mA which is very low. When I've checked during my repair and mod, sometimes these system can draw up to 500mA and that means you will need either AC adapter to USB that is designed for high power like iPhone or Android systems, or to use USB 3.0 and the correct chipset to enable high draw of up to 1A. A straight 5v from computer USB are capped at max 100mA without any chip for devices like USB light or USB fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trew Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Fair do's. I knew I'd read that the Lynx ran at 5v somewhere along the line, and that most USB power gives that, so I felt it might be possible, but seems like there's another step in the way. I do have a massive battery with a plug outlet on it, so could plug the AC adapter into that... but that's not the portability I was hoping for (for that, may as well just splash out on a pack of AA's for the journey). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdog360 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 The Lynx takes a 9V input and uses some basic regulation to drop it down internally to 5V. You'd have to bypass that circuitry to get the 5V from the USB connector to where it needs to be. Another option would be to build a step-up converter to convert 5V to 9V externally so you don't have to mod any of the original lynx hardware. One option would be to buy an adjustable step-up converter like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-DC-DC-2A-Adjustable-Step-up-boost-Power-supply-Converter-Module/291549801433?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34577%26meid%3D3b628d48b8f94f0790d17b78ef030db8%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D381374576465and adjust it for 9V output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trew Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 So, I just remembered I have this power bank that has an DC output and adjustable voltage and even a pin/adaptor that fits the Lynx (it's very snug, but fits). http://www.ravpower.com/ravpower-23000mah-portable-charger-external-battery-charger.html If I set it to 9V, I'm not going to fry anything am I? (I tried it real quick and it works, but worried about prolonged use). There's no polarity symbol on the DC output but some googling indicates it's positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 9v is fine. You can use 7v or 7.5v, it'd make less heat both at AC brick end and inside Lynx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spspspsp Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) In case anybody is interested, it absolutely is possible to run a Lynx from a USB powerbank. I've been doing just this since reverting the 5V mod I did and replacing the transistor/zener combo with modern equivalents. Both of my Lynxes run with when I give them at little as 5V from a wall power supply (although the stock LCD seems a bit dim at this voltage level), so I decided to make my own USB power cable. I just took a USB charging cable and spliced a right angle jack that fits the Lynx onto one end. Even if the Lynx is pulling 400 mA, I can still get 12 hours of play time through my cheap 5.2V 2.1A 4800 mAh powerbank. Edited March 22, 2017 by spspspsp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestoLynx Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Wow, well done. Do you think it would power if you hadn't replaced the transistor/zerer? might give that a go later tonight... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spspspsp Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 That shouldn't really make a difference. The Lynx should respond the same to both power sources, provided they can output sufficient amps at the given voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trew Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 In case anybody is interested, it absolutely is possible to run a Lynx from a USB powerbank. I've been doing just this since reverting the 5V mod I did and replacing the transistor/zener combo with modern equivalents. Both of my Lynxes run with when I give them at little as 5V from a wall power supply (although the stock LCD seems a bit dim at this voltage level), so I decided to make my own USB power cable. I just took a USB charging cable and spliced a right angle jack that fits the Lynx onto one end. Even if the Lynx is pulling 400 mA, I can still get 12 hours of play time through my cheap 5.2V 2.1A 4800 mAh powerbank. Are there similar cables available online? I recently moved so don't have my stash of connectors and cables etc. Or... maybe you could help a brother out and make/sell me one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestoLynx Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) So I tested this last night on my Lynx II with unmodified transistor/diode and I got to 6v, the next step down on my powerbrick was to 4.5 and it gave up below the 5v. Happy days, now I'll start messing around with usb and a Li-Ion Edited March 24, 2017 by RestoLynx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spspspsp Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Trew, I only had the one extra connector, otherwise I'd be happy to make you a cable. I think you can find the same one at console5.com. RestoLynx, I'm not sure if you are meaning to say that your test worked, or that it didn't. According to OrangePhantom, the Lynx II will run on voltages down to about 4.5 V. If yours didn't work at 4.5 V, you were probably just under the threshold for working. I imagine that it will work if you use a 5.2 V supply. See here: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/247305-old-stock-lynx-vs-new-mcwill-screen-recom-power-reg-power-consumption/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange-Phantom Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Trew, I only had the one extra connector, otherwise I'd be happy to make you a cable. I think you can find the same one at console5.com. RestoLynx, I'm not sure if you are meaning to say that your test worked, or that it didn't. According to OrangePhantom, the Lynx II will run on voltages down to about 4.5 V. If yours didn't work at 4.5 V, you were probably just under the threshold for working. I imagine that it will work if you use a 5.2 V supply. See here: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/247305-old-stock-lynx-vs-new-mcwill-screen-recom-power-reg-power-consumption/ 4.5v on a stock Lynx 2 with original screen, and the display was only just visible. The inline diode on the input from the jack will drop 0.7v from whatever input you put into the Lynx. But also bear in mind, running a Lynx on a higher voltage won't run the power circuit any hotter. The Lynx power circuit is a true high efficiency high frequency switching regulator. The original power circuit in the Lynx does not get hot because of how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdoi Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 But also bear in mind, running a Lynx on a higher voltage won't run the power circuit any hotter. The Lynx power circuit is a true high efficiency high frequency switching regulator. The original power circuit in the Lynx does not get hot because of how it works. So can we feed lynxes (1 or 2) with a 10v power supply without any issue in a longer use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 10v is fine from external power in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange-Phantom Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 As 7800fan has also stated, 10v is fine. Most Atari power bricks output in excess of 12v when they are not fully loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdoi Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 ok thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuestenturm Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 Would I be able to use this ... 90cm Black USB 3.5mm x 1.35mm DC Barrel Jack 5V 2A Charger Power Cable Adaptor https://www.ebay.de/itm/90cm-Black-USB-3-5mm-x-1-35mm-DC-Barrel-Jack-5V-2A-Charger-Power-Cable-Adaptor/112000610494 to connect my LYNX 2 to a power bank? Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Igor Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 The Lynx needs a 9V power input so 5V is probably not going to cut it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange-Phantom Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 (edited) That's totally Incorrect about at Lynx needing 9v input! The Lynx will quite happily run on much less than 9v! How do you think it runs on a set of rechargeable batteries at 7.2v!? If you are running the stock Lynx Power Circuit, if you remove and the inline silicone diode (D11) on the circuit board (which drops 0.7v) from the input of the external jack and bridge it with solder it should be able to run at 5v. I've had a Lynx running at less. Just be aware that by removing the inline silicone diode you are removing part of the reverse polarity protection and if you get the input to the Lynx the wrong way round it will now short out the input, due to the D9 diode (and will probably blow it too with enough current) so if you do go down this route, check your wiring very carefully! https://atariage.com/forums/topic/247305-old-stock-lynx-vs-new-mcwill-screen-recom-power-reg-power-consumption/ Edited November 8, 2017 by Orange-Phantom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadAngel Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hi, You are totally right. 8v is fine for the Lynx. If you have a look on the SEGA Game Gear, you can also power it with 8v, but the power led will blink, that's why you may provide 9v to get rid of this. I build such USB power adapters: they convert a 5V USB power source (such as a powerbank) able to deliver 1.6 Amps, and powers your ATARI Lynx without any modification. If interested in buying one, have a look on ebay or on my personal e-shop (https://www.technocoma.com). On my e-shop, use this code "ATARIAGE7" to get a 7% discount. Jerome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdrake Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 This: ATARI LYNX USB ADAPTER https://yastuna-games.com/fr/gadgets-services/37-adaptateur-usb-5v-9v-atari-lynx.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadest Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Thes are the same than BadAngel's one as he is my supplier. In fact, I bought a first batch to BadAngel last summer, in order to let people buying me games save on postage fees if they want one. I still reorder from BadAngel when out of stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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