Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 So, I have a game I want to test out on the Lynx. I grabbed three Lynxes I have handy (two Lynx II, which I prefer, and an original Lynx), a power supply, and some batteries. Much to my surprise, NONE of the three Lynxes will power on! I'm pretty sure these all worked the last time I used them, which would have been several years ago. I'm kind of surprised that none of them will power on at all. The batteries I'm using are Eneloop rechargeable batteries, and they've worked in everything else I've used them in. I suppose it's possible that these type of batteries will not work in a Lynx, and that something is wrong with the power supply. I haven't dug out my voltmeter yet to test it, but I suppose I should do that. I'm more curious to know if people have had issues using rechargeable batteries.. Thanks in advance for any insight. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jettgogaming Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I do know that you must have a game in the Lynx in order for it to work.....the first time I tried to fire up my Lynx I thought it was broken and not working but as soon as I put a game in it, it worked fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Yeah, I inserted a cartridge into each of the Lynxes, but that did not make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jettgogaming Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Interesting, it would be highly doubtful you have three Lynx that all don't work. So it definitely has to be a battery issue. Have you checked out this thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Looks like the power supply is only outputting one volt. I'll have to see if I have another one somewhere, but probably not. Will need to buy a new one. Ow I'm going to see if I have any normal alkaline AA batteries somewhere. Probably not, I've been using Eneloops for years. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 1 minute ago, Jettgogaming said: Interesting, it would be highly doubtful you have three Lynx that all don't work. So it definitely has to be a battery issue. Have you checked out this thread.... I posted quite a bit in that thread. It is is 18 years old at this point, which frightens me a bit!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jettgogaming Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Also found this thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 I don't have any suitable alkaline AA batteries, so I'm going to run to my storage unit and find a box of Lynx hardware and software. I know I have one of those big D-Cell battery adapters, and I do have a whole bunch of new D-cell batteries (for flashlights). Might have more power supplies as well. If not, I see I can get them new for $20 on eBay. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nop90 Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Try to clean the game cart contacts. If it is oxidated can't connect the two pins that make the lynx turn on, so it could be the cause for the three consoles not powering on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 There's always Best. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/power guide.htm I have a couple of old Radio Shack universal AC adpaters that work just fine for my Lynx, if you have one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 I probably have some of those universal AC adapters somewhere, but the likelihood of my actually finding them is quite low. Let's see what I can find in my storage unit, going to head over there now. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Well, I did quickly find two (and they were right where they should have been), but unfortunately neither outputs 1A. And the connectors are too large. That Lynx power supply connector is rather small.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I have the same problem. I'm hoping it's the power supply (I have a cheap replacement on order), but I find it odd that my power supply would suddenly die like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
power Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Albert said: Looks like the power supply is only outputting one volt. I'll have to see if I have another one somewhere, but probably not. Will need to buy a new one. Ow I'm going to see if I have any normal alkaline AA batteries somewhere. Probably not, I've been using Eneloops for years. ..Al I use eneloops in my lynxes - work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Went to the storage unit and found all my Lynx hardware and software. I forgot how many Lynx games I have! I believe I may have every first and third-party game released "back in the day", plus some Songbird titles. No recent homebrew releases, though. I need to fix that. I also have one of Mcwill's LCD mods, but I think I'll pay someone else to install it in a Lynx II. I forgot how poor the OEM screen is! There's another layer of games under this one! Brand new power supplies and power packs! There were actually four Lynxes in this box, including one brand new Lynx II! That's two older Lynxes sitting on top! Brand new Lynx II! And, after plugging one of the Lynx IIs into the brand new power supply, it worked! It'd be nice to know why the Eneloops don't work, but I tried two different sets of charged batteries and neither would work in all three of the Lynxes. I didn't bring back any of the Lynxes from the storage unit, as I figured the ones at home weren't broken. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 If you don't mind waiting awhile, I can do the McWill mod. I'm really happy with how mine turned out. You should also get one of SainT's upcoming redesigned SD cards. I have the first-gen one, but if the new one's faster, I might pick up one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 So it was the power supply after all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 Just now, Tempest said: So it was the power supply after all? Yes! Better toss that one so I don't try using it again. Really strange, as I'm sure it worked the last time I used it, but it's been a few years. And sitting inside, in a temperature controlled environment. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 1 minute ago, Nathan Strum said: If you don't mind waiting awhile, I can do the McWill mod. I'm really happy with how mine turned out. I'm in no rush, that would be great! I'm sure it will be immensely better than the Atari screen! 1 minute ago, Nathan Strum said: You should also get one of SainT's upcoming redesigned SD cards. I have the first-gen one, but if the new one's faster, I might pick up one of those. I've already spoken to him about it. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 I'm hoping I have the same problem. It worked a few days ago and now, nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 Do you have a multimeter to test the output voltage of the power supply? That's how I determined mine was dead. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 11 minutes ago, Albert said: Do you have a multimeter to test the output voltage of the power supply? That's how I determined mine was dead. ..Al Well I'll be damned. The power supply is 100% dead. No voltage at all. I even tested another power supply to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong and that worked. So it looks like I need a new power supply. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Moss Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 Albert & Tempest... Did you try slowly flexing the output cable? If you keep folding it in the same way when you pack it away the constant flexing at the same point can break the cables creating an open circuit, resulting in either no voltage if either power or power and ground have gone or result in an odd voltage reading if just ground has gone or a power ground short has occured. If that is the problem slowly flexing the cable may reveal that as the problem as power suddenly returns and also enable you to identify the location of the break which if not right at the connector or strain relief should allow you to cut out the damaged section and reconnect the two pieces to get it working again (just make sure you connect them with the correct polarity). Sometimes rechargeable batteries are a little shorter than standard alkaline's in the same way the Duracell are generally a little larger them other alkaline's, if you have a good spiral spring at the ground connection it can push them forward enough to ensure correct contact. if not you might find that it looks OK but there is actually is a small gap, measuring across the batter holder contacts should tell you if that is the case as if they are making contact you should be able to measure voltage there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nop90 Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 In my experience common cause for batteries not working is the power jack connector. I have three lynxes with this problem. I should replace the connectors, but first I want to try to carefully clean the inside of the connectors with alcohol to verify if they are stuck in external Power Supply position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 Just got my spare power supply. Still won't power up without batteries. I'm at a loss as to what the heck is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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