Power Supply for the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module)

[HDTV1080P]

If one needs a replacement power supply for their Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module), then the best 100% compatible power supply to get is the TRIAD WAU090-1200 that was engineered in the USA and made in China using high quality materials. I used this power supply 24 x 7 for around 30 days while stress testing the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module).  

 

As of February 10^th 2016, all external power supplies manufactured for use in the United States and imported into the United States is required to have the energy efficiency level VI rating per the Department of Energy law. Dealers in the United State that have old stock of power supplies, are allowed under the law to sell their old stock of power supplies as long as those power supplies were manufactured and imported into the United States before Feb 10^th 2016.

 

In 2020 many AC to DC power supplies one purchases online are level VI complaint. However AC to AC power supplies are not in demand, since most modern consumer products in the 21^st Century use AC to DC power supplies, therefore there are some USA dealers that still have old stock of AC to AC power supplies that they imported into the United States before February 10^th 2016, that they are trying to get rid off at clearance prices. However, there are also many third-party companies producing both AC to AC and AC to DC external power supplies that are made in China, and violating the Department of Energy level VI compliant rules put in place back in February 10^th 2016.

 

*** I have done a massive amount of research and as far as I aware the TRIAD Magnetics company is the only company that makes AC to AC external power supplies that have the required energy efficiency level VI defined by the DOE Docket Number EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005-0219. ***

 

TRIAD engineers the power supplies in the United States and has the power supplies made in China using very high quality parts and material. While external AC to DC power supplies that are level VI complaint started appearing on the USA market in late 2015 or early 2016, the first TRIAD AC to AC level VI complaint power supplies started appearing on the USA market around January 24^th 2017.

 

Here is the detailed spec sheet for the TRIAD WAU090-1200 that is ideal for use with the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module). The cheapest price for the TRIAD WAU090-1200 is around $20-$25 when purchased online. This is a heavy transformer based power supply since light weight switching based consumer AC to AC power supplies have not been invented yet and might never be invented because of lack of demand for AC to AC power supplies. At the time of this post Newark sells the TRIAD WAU090-1200 for $19.63 each plus free shipping on orders over $150. Another dealer called Mouser Electronics has the TRIAD WAU090-1200 for $16.36 + $7.99 for shipping (total price around $24.35).     

 

*** This is a top of the line power supply for the Mattel Intellivision Computer adapter (computer module). This power supply has excellent build quality. ***

 

This is a factory new 100% compatible power supply for the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module). This is a high-end replacement power supply for the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module).

 

• This power supply is a high-quality consumer AC power supply that is designed for North America and has an input voltage of 120 volts AC at 60Hz. Rated output voltage is 9 volts AC at 1.2 amps. Since all consumer AC to AC power supplies on the market use unregulated voltage designs, there is a load curve from zero to full load. When this power supply is connected to the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) it will output the proper 10 volts AC at up to 1 amp just like the original Mattel power supply. More information about this can be found in the Questions and Answers section of this listing.
• Power supply has UL listed safety certification for the United States market and CUL safety certification for the Canadian markets (UL safety certificate number E341931).      
•  Efficiency Level VI certified by the Department of Energy (DOE): Consuming up to 25% less power than previous 60 Hertz AC power supplies, this line of AC power supplies was among the first to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s Level VI efficiency standard. This is slightly larger than similar products of lesser efficiency, as higher-grade core materials are needed to meet the Level VI requirements.
•  RoHS Complaint power supply
• Engineered in the United States and made in China using high quality materials. 
• Output cord is 6 feet long.
• 10 year warranty offered directly by the manufacture of the power supply. 

 

Questions and Answers

 

Question: Will this power supply power the Intellivision and Intellivision II videogame system?

 

Answer: No, this power supply only powers the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module). Mattel designed the Intellivision to use its own internal power supply and the Intellivision II uses a different external power supply. In fact, as a safety feature Mattel made the power plug on the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) a different size so that one does not by accident plug the Intellivision II unregulated 16.2-16.7 volts AC power supply into the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module), since the computer module requires around 10 volts AC. Therefore, when using the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module), ones needs to use both the computer adapter power supply along with their existing power supply that they are currently using with the Intellivision and Intellivision II.  

 

Question: How does the quality of this third-party AC to AC power supply compare to my original Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) power supply?

 

Answer: This power supply is slightly better quality when compared to the original Mattel power supply. There have been major improvements in the design of AC to DC power supplies over the last 40+ years, however in the last 40+ years there has only been minor improvements when it comes to AC to AC power supplies. In fact, finding an AC to AC power supply on the market is rare since many companies have decided to only make DC power supplies. This AC to AC power supply is UL listed which is a safety certification for the USA market. In addition, this power supply has the Canadian CUL safety certification. This power supply has the required Energy Efficiency Level VI certification by the Department of Energy (DOE). This power supply is RoHS complaint too. Currently this is the only level VI approved AC power supply on the North American market that will work with the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module).

 

Question: It is very hard to locate the out of production Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) power supply online, however on various websites the specs are listed as 10 volts AC at 1 amps. Why does this third-party power supply have a label on it that says it outputs 9 volts AC at 1.2 amps?

 

Answer: At the end of the year 2015 all 10 volt AC power supplies designed for the USA consumer market went out of production, and when the new Feb 2016 level VI energy efficiency law went into effect by the Department of Energy, AC to AC power supply companies decided to design only 6,9,12,16,20, and 24 volts AC models that are level VI rated. Unregulated AC to AC power supplies are much more complicated when compared to regulated AC to DC power supplies that most people normally use. All consumer AC to AC power supplies on the market have unregulated designs, which means there is a load curve from zero load to full load. For example, this third-party power supply according to the specs has a voltage rating of 11.6 volts AC when there is no load (zero current draw). Under real world conditions I measured around 11.09 volts AC when there is no load. However as soon as the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) is drawing a load, this power supply outputs around 10.38 volts AC and around 9.84 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is connected. Around 10.38 volts AC and around 9.84 volts AC is the proper voltage to use with the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module). 24 x 7 for around 30 days I ran the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) with the voice synthesis module attached and everything worked perfectly fine. Using this power supply, the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) when the voice synthesis module is connected will not drop below 9.84 volts AC while under a 1 amp load. This third-party AC power supply because of the unregulated voltage curve will only output around 9 volts AC when under a full load of 1.2 amps.  

 

Question: Can I use this power supply with other products that I own that need 9 volts AC and what would happen if the current draw on the device I connect to this power supply starts to draw more than 1.2 amps?

 

Answer: Because of the load curve on all consumer unregulated AC power supplies, one needs to be careful with the products they use this power supply with. The load curve for this power supply under real word conditions is between 11.09 volts to 9 volts AC. This power supply will only output around 9 volts AC when the load is 1.2 amps. Since the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module) with the voice synthesis module attached never draws more then 1 amps of power, then this power supply puts out around 9.84 volts AC when used with that Mattel product. However, one should never use this power supply with a product that requires more than 1.2 amps, since the voltage would drop below 9 volts AC and destroy the power supply. Unregulated AC power supplies have a small safety margin where the fuse in the power supply will not open if there is a brief current draw that goes over the 1.2 amps for only a few seconds. AC to AC transformers are not designed for the user to exceed the output current.  Given an overload condition, they will start to heat-up and internal built-in safety mechanisms (fuse) will open, permanently destroying the power supply. These power supplies are sealed at the factory and were not designed to be opened up for a user to replace the fuse, also the 10-year manufactory warranty would most likely not be honored if the consumer abused the power supply and went over the stated current of 1.2 amps.  

 

Question: Why is this power supply only offered in North America, what if I wanted to use this power supply on 220 volts at 50Hz?

 

Answer: This power supply would be permanently destroyed and the internal fuse would blow if connected to 220 volts at 50Hz.  All consumer AC to AC power supplies are made for either 120 volts AC at 60Hz or 220 volts AC at 50Hz. In the 21^st Century major technological advances have been made on worldwide regulated AC to DC power supplies that work between 100-240 volts AC at 50-60Hz. However, because of that lack of consumer demand for unregulated AC to AC power supplies being used in the 21^st Century, the research and development costs have not been spent to make AC to AC power supplies work worldwide between 100-240 volt AC at 50-60Hz. Therefore, all consumer AC to AC power supplies for the North America market are still designed to only work with 120 volts at 60Hz. There are power supply companies in Europe that do make AC to AC power supplies that work at only 220 volts at 50Hz, and one might be able to locate one that works with the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module).      

Edited October 12, 2020 by HDTV1080P

[+Black_Tiger]

Just use an NES ac adaptor.

[HDTV1080P]

The other day while searching online I saw a couple of generic brand AC to AC external power supplies that claimed to be level VI complaint according to the specs. However, upon further investigation the detailed specs sheet only mentioned that the power supplies have passed level V efficiency tests, I even emailed the company and they could not provide any information on rather they sold any AC to AC power supplies with level VI feature. The TRIAD Magnetics company as far as I am aware is the only company that makes AC to AC external power supplies that are level VI certified per the DOE rules put in place back in Feb 10^th 2016. Also TRAID AC to AC power supplies are UL listed. While UL listed is a optional certification in the United States, many brands of AC to AC power supplies do not get the UL listed certification because of the $15,000 fee, and sometimes have fake UL listed symbols on the power supply.

 

If anyone is interested in measuring their computer system or videogame system under a load with a digital multimeter. Measuring a computer or videogame system motherboard voltage load can be done without needing to take the system apart as long as one has the proper cables and adapter plugs.

 

The following 2 Pack DC Power 1 Female to  2 Male Splitter adapter for $6.99 from Amazon works good for measuring no load and load voltages with a digital multi-meter on one end of the cable.   

 

Also this high-quality Chinese made 34 piece AC and DC adapter plug kit from EBAY for $12.88 with free shipping works great when one needs a different size plug to connect videogame and computer systems in order to measure the voltage under a load.  

 

This high-end TRIAD WAU090-1200 power supply is 100% compatible with the following systems

 

100% compatible with the Mattel Intellivision Computer Adapter (computer module).

100% compatible with the original NES-101 front loading model that was released in 1985.

100% compatible with the original NES-101 top loading model that was released in 1993.

100% compatible with the Magnavox Odyssey 2 system (a optional power adapter plug is needed to support Odyssey 2 systems that need the special 3.5mm plug).  

** Not compatible with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System **

Edited November 13, 2020 by HDTV1080P

[cedropoole]

I have been using a normal DC 10V 1amp universal adapter for over a year now to power my ECS and it works flawlessly. Appparently a 10V .850amp NES power adapter which is also DC out also works so what ever the Intellivision does with that 10V AC out is meaningless.

[mr_me]

It's not meaningless.  The Intellivision II converts AC to DC internally.  If you have an AC-DC wall adapter than that conversion is already done.

[HDTV1080P]

There are some products on the market that require low voltage AC input since the internal bridge rectifier and voltage regulator can be destroyed with native DC adapters. The original Intellivision Computer adapter, Intellivision II, Odyssey 2 and NES power supply uses low voltage AC to AC transformers. However, I have heard that some consumer products like the NES can accept both AC and DC inputs, but the problem is some products on the market if one inputs native DC voltage, the product will be destroyed completely since it does not have the proper bridge rectifier and voltage regulator to handle the DC input. Some consumer videogames and computer systems can only use AC input and when DC is used it shortens the life of the product.

 

The TI-99/4A and Spectravideo 318/328 are two computer systems that require AC voltage only and will not work with DC voltage unless one internally modifies the power supply, etc . Now internally the TI-99/4a and Spectravideo 318/328 system will convert AC to DC, but it is my understanding that those systems will be destroyed if one tries to input DC directly. So, one needs to be very careful not to place an AC to DC adapter on a product that requires AC only. Also one needs to be careful not to place a AC to AC adapter on a product that requires DC only. It is rare to find a consumer product that was designed to work with both low voltage AC and low voltage DC.

 

Back in the 70’s and 80’s some videogame systems and computer systems decided to use low voltage unregulated AC transformers since they use to cost less when compared to regulated DC power supplies.  

Edited November 18, 2020 by HDTV1080P

[cedropoole]

19 hours ago, mr_me said:

It's not meaningless.  The Intellivision II converts AC to DC internally.  If you have an AC-DC wall adapter than that conversion is already done.

Please explain how it is meaningfull, as the ECS just wants 10V and does not have a problem with the output of the power adapter being AC or DC as long as it's 10V 1A. By the way an original ECS adapter is 10V not 9V. Bottom line you do not need an AC output adapter and using a DC output adapter does no harm to the ECS. Also by using an unregulated AC output power adapter you are introducing load curve issues you do not need. There are times when using a DC power supply with a device expecting AC could do damage but only if the device uses a transformer input power curcuit which the ECS does not. in the case of the ECS, Using a DC power supply does nothing but work and has worked perfectly with my ECS for over a year.

Edited November 18, 2020 by cedropoole

[HDTV1080P]

While currently all AC to AC consumer power supplies are all unregulated, in the 80’s there were also some videogame systems like the Atari 5200 that used unregulated AC to DC adapters instead of regulated DC adapters. The ColecoVision had a high-quality regulated DC to DC power supply.

 

Regulated power supplies are always better then unregulated power supplies, however some computer and videogame systems from the 70’s and 80’s require AC to AC power supplies which only come in unregulated power supply designs. My goal when selecting a third-party power supply for a system is to be as close as possible to the original voltage output when under a load. 100% of all Mattel computer adapters shipped with an unregulated AC to AC power supply, therefore the TRIAD WAU090-1200 AC to AC power supply is an ideal match and is as close as possible to what Mattel used back in the 80’s for the computer adapter. However, I have not been physically taking these classic 70’s and 80’s systems apart and checking to see if there is a bridge rectifier with voltage regulator that handles both AC and DC power supplies.

 

One of the reasons why some videogame systems and computer systems used unregulated AC and unregulated DC power supplies was because they were cheaper in price when compared to regulated DC power supplies. That price advantage no longer exists with unregulated AC to AC power supplies, and regulated DC power supplies have around 99.5% of the market in the 21^st Century at a cheaper price.     

 

Thanks for sharing that you have used a DC power supply on the Mattel computer adapter for over a year. I have not tried a DC adapter, but if you have had no problems for over a year, then Mattel must have made the computer adapter with the ability to accept both AC and DC power supplies as long as the voltage is around 10 volts while under a load.

Edited November 18, 2020 by HDTV1080P

[cedropoole]

This photo of the ECS internals clearly shows a rectifier at the input. Any device that has a rectifier at the input and has no direct use of AC is a good candidate for operation by DC input and a year of regular use indicates that the DC operating voltage and the capacitor charging current is not excessive. An aquaintence of mine has been using an NES adapter to run his ECS since around 2000. I'm using a IBERLS Universal Power Supply.