Power Supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system (5872-9629 style)

[HDTV1080P]

If one needs a replacement power supply for their Mattel Intellivision II videogame system, then the best 100% compatible power supply to get is the TRIAD WAU160-750 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 II videogame system.  

 

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 WAU160-750 that is ideal for use with the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system. The cheapest price for the TRIAD WAU160-750 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. While this power supply can cost between $20-25, at the time of this post Arrow website is currently selling the TRIAD WAU160-750 for $13.40 plus tariffs and free shipping with orders of around $50.  However important information: Since this TRIAD WAU160-750 power supply has a 2.1mm plug on it you need a 2.1mm female to 2.5mm male adapter plug in order to use the power supply on the Intellivision II videogame console. This adapter plug for $1.97 with free shipping works fine on the Intellivision II videogame console.

 

So the only real negatives regarding this TRIAD power supply when compared to the original Mattel power supply is that the cord on the TRIAD according to the spec sheet is listed as 6 feet (but I actually mine ended up being around 6 feet 7 inches). Where as the Mattel 5872-9629 power cord length was 9 feet 8 inches. The other negative is currently all level VI AC to AC power supplies on the market only have 2.1mm size plugs. So a adapter plug is needed to interface the TRIAD WAU160-750 to the Intellivision II style of plug which is 2.5mm. Now one can order a custom 2.5mm x 5.5mm x 11mm plug for the TRIAD WAU160-750, but the catch is the factory in China requires a minimum order of 500 power supplies.   

 

*** This is a top of the line power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console. This power supply has excellent build quality. ***

 

This is a factory new 100% compatible power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system. This is a high-end replacement power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system.

 

• 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 16 volts AC at 0.75 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 II videogame system it will output the proper volage when under a load just like the original Mattel Intellivision II videogame system 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: What Mattel products is this power supply compatible with?

 

Answer: This power supply is for use only with the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system and attached hardware components designed for that system. When the Mattel Intellivoice Voice Synthesis Module and Mattel System Changer are connected to the Intellivision II, this power supply will power those connected devices also. However, this power supply is not compatible with the original Intellivision videogame system since that system has its own built in power supply.     

 

Question: How does the quality of this third-party AC to AC power supply compare to my original Mattel Intellivision II power supply model number 5872-9629?

 

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 II videogame system.

 

Question: One of my original Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supplies has a label on it that says it outputs 16.2 volts AC at 0.955 amps. The other Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply has a label on it that says it outputs 16.7 volts AC at 1 amp. Why does this third-party power supply have a label on it that says it outputs 16 volts AC at 0.75 amps?

 

Answer: 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, the original Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply label on it says 16.2 volts AC at 0.955 amps, and under real world conditions has a no-load voltage of around 18.46 volts AC. When the Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply is under a load from the Intellivision II console, it is outputting around 17.69 volts AC and around 17.37 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is connected. When the Mattel 5872-9629 power supply is connected to the Intellivision II, it never outputs 16.2 volts AC, and will always output around 17.69 volts AC and around 17.37 volts AC when under a load. The only way to get the original unregulated Mattel 5872-9629 AC power supply to output 16.2 volts AC or around 16 volts AC would be to disconnect it from the Mattel Intellivision II and place it on a actual hardware device that would draw around 0.955 amps, then the voltage would drop down to around 16 volts or 16.2 volts AC because of the load curve.

 

This third-party power supply that has a label on it that says 16 volts AC at 0.75 amps works perfectly with the Intellivision II and according to the load curve data is a perfect match. For example, this third-party power supply according to the specs has a voltage rating of 20 volts AC when there is no load (zero current draw). Under real world conditions I measured around 19.64 volts AC when there is no load. However as soon as the Mattel Intellivision II is drawing a load, this power supply outputs around 17.82 volts AC and around 17.32 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is connected. Around 17.82 volts AC and around 17.32 volts AC is the proper voltage to use with the Mattel Intellivision II and is almost a perfect match according to the load curve data.  24 x 7 for around 30 days using two separate Mattel Intellivision II systems with two separate voice synthesis modules attached to each system, I tested this third-party power supply. Everything worked perfectly fine on both Intellivision II videogame systems. Using this power supply, the Mattel Intellivision II when the voice synthesis module is connected will not drop below 17.32 volts AC while under a load. This third-party AC power supply because of the unregulated voltage curve will only output around 16 volts AC when under a full load of 0.75 amps, and the Intellivision II videogame system never draws that much current even when its massively loaded with hardware. Since the original Mattel Intellivision II power supply outputs around 17.37 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is attached, this third party power supply with a voltage output of around 17.32 volts AC is almost a perfect match.

 

Question: Why does this third-party power supply offer around 0.25 amps less when compared to the original Mattel 5872-9629 power supply?

 

Answer: Back in 2015 there use to be 16 volt AC to AC power supplies in production that had 2 amp capacity and 1 amp capacity. At the end of the year 2015 all 16 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 16 volt AC to AC power supplies with a maximum capacity of 0.75 amps for the consumer market. It is technically possible for a power supply company to make a level VI approved 16 volt AC to AC power supply that has a 1 amp capacity output, however it would cost around $15,000 to get such a power supply UL tested. Because of the lack of demand for AC to AC power supplies there is a possibility that no company will every make a 16 volt AC to AC power supply with a 1 amp capacity that is level VI rated. The premium materials and overdesign required to meet Level VI makes the parts more expensive. Also, the $15,000 investment for UL testing makes it hard for power supply companies to justify designing a second generation of higher capacity level VI approved AC to AC power supplies. However, I have verified that the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console fully loaded with hardware devices uses only a small amount of the 0.75 amp capacity on this third party power supply. This third party power supply is an ideal power supply for use with the Intellivision II videogame console.     

 

Question: My original Mattel 5872-9629 power supply does not need an adapter plug. Why do I need to purchase an adapter plug for this third-party power supply? Is the original Mattel 5879-9629 power supply a better power supply to use with my Intellivision II?

 

Answer: Currently all level VI rated AC to AC power supplies are only offered with the standard barrel plug size of 2.1 x 5.5 x 11mm, and the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console requires a plug size of 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm. Yes, in the ideal world not having to use an adapter plug with a power supply would be ideal, however to special order this third-party power supply with a custom 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm plug, the factory in China would require a minimum order of 500 power supplies to make that change to a custom size plug. While there exists third party companies in the USA that under ideal conditions for a fee can cut off the 2.1 x 5.5 x 11mm plug at the end of the cord and mold on a new custom 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm plug, however the minimum QTY required for that modification is between 50-100 power supplies. This third-party power supply is slightly better quality when compared to the original Mattel power supply, however since one does not need to use an adapter plug on the original Mattel power supply, then for this reason the Mattel power supply is an overall better power supply to use with the Intellivision II. The main purpose of this third power supply is to offer a replacement power supply for those that need a new power supply for their Intellivision II videogame console, since the old original Mattel early 80’s model is out of production.   

 

Question: Can I use this power supply with other products that I own that need 16 volts AC and what would happen if the current draw on the device I connect to this power supply starts to draw more than 0.75 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 19.64 volts to 16 volts AC. This third party power supply will only output around 16 volts AC when the load is 0.75 amps. Since the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console with the voice synthesis module attached draws a small amount of the 0.75 amp power supply capacity, then this third party power supply outputs around 17.32 volts AC when used with that Mattel product. However, one should never use this power supply with a product that requires more than 0.75 amps, since the voltage would drop below 16 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 0.75 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 0.75 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 II videogame console.

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by HDTV1080P

[mr_me]

You can use an ac-dc power adapter.

[Karbuncle]

On 10/14/2020 at 7:57 AM, mr_me said:

You can use an ac-dc power adapter.

I believe this should be the case since the American NES works with DC current even though it uses AC. I looked at the Intellivision II schematics, and it looks like the tolerance range is 16V to 20V, and if that's really the case, an 18V 1 Amp AC/DC Triad like this would work without the need of an adapter:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/triad-magnetics/WSU180-1000-13/6600180

However, if you want to play it safe for whatever reason, you'll want a 1-Amp AC Triad:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/triad-magnetics/WAU16-1000/4915298

You'll need an adapter as mentioned though for this model:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/globtek-inc/LCP-CCP(R)/9837785

[+-^CrossBow^-]

It has been stated a few times before, but the Intelly 2 like the US NES features full bridge recitification within the power section anyway. As a result, I actually just use a 5200 power supply with my Intelly 2 models and have for years without issue for many hours at a time. In fact, using a DC supply seems to make it run a little cooler temp wise internally, and it sure prevents the internal transformer from making that awful buzzing noise it does with an actual Mattel INTV 2 PSU.

 

 

[HDTV1080P]

Yes some classic computer and videogame systems use full bridge rectifiers that well convert AC voltage to DC and sometimes well allow a consumer to use either a AC or DC adapter to power the console. However, some videogame/computer systems like the TI-99/4a, Spectravideo, and other systems internal motherboard well be damaged or destroyed if one attempts to input DC voltage when AC voltage is required.

 

The goal when selecting a power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system was to find a power supply that is as close to the original power supply as possible when compared to the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system power supply. In the 1980’s several computer/videogame systems used a low cost unregulated AC to AC power supply which was cheaper when compared to a unregulated DC to DC power supply or a regulated DC to DC power supply. However in the 21^st Century since low cost high quality regulated DC to DC power supplies are the norm, they are now much cheaper in price when compared to a unregulated AC to AC power supply. Its hard to find a unregulated AC to AC power supply, however the TRIAD WAU160-750 AC to AC model when used with a 2.1mm female to 2.5mm male adapter plug is the best choice if the goal is to match the original Intellivision II power supply that was always a unregulated AC to AC model.

 

Also when using a AC to DC power supply in place of a AC to AC power supply one needs to make sure that every single hardware version of the console included a full bridge rectifier. If in the rare chance early hardware versions of the motherboard did not include the full bridge rectifer then pluging in a AC to DC power supply would destroy the motherboard.

 

Currently Digi-key has a QTY of 30 TRIAD WAU160-750 power supplies in stock at a price of $17.96 each. Also one needs to purchase a 2.1mm female to 2.5mm male adapter plug to use it with the Intellivision II videogame system.

 

WAU160-750 Triad Magnetics | Power Supplies - External/Internal (Off-Board) | DigiKey   

Edited June 9, 2021 by HDTV1080P

[+-^CrossBow^-]

The Intellivision model 2 is the only version of the console that uses this unique AC - DC conversion within it. All the other models feature internal PSUs and just have 2 prong AC lamp cords essentially hanging out of them with transformers inside them to handle the power conversion. Not sure if the later Super Pro and INTV III are the exact same as the model 1s, but they still just have a standard cord on them with internal PSUs. 

 

Can't speak on the Spectravideo, but the TI-99/4a you only have to worry about plugging in a Colecovision power supply into them since they share the same plug but are otherwise very different. Point being, this thread you started is about the Intellivision 2 power supply. And I'm specifically stating that an Atari 5200 or similar DC power supply will work provided you have the right barrel plug size to fit.

 

Cost wise, the Triad adapter and plug adapter is a MUCH more affordable cost given what 5200 PSUs might be fetching these days. 

[SiLic0ne t0aD]

Thanks for all the useful information and especially the part numbers! (which were absent from the ebay listing, so thank goodness for this thread!) ??@HDTV1080P

 

Just a word of warning to others.. Pay close attention to the part numbers to ensure you get the correct power adapter and don't make the same rookie mistake I made. ?

 

I mistakenly ordered a couple WAU160-750-SG (since they were dirt cheap from Arrow Electronics - $6.37 ea.) instead of WAU160-750 (about 3x more). The SG on the end means only the power brick, literally.. It has 3 terminals on it and no power cable, which means you'll have to attach your own cable to the terminals. ?

 

I didn't like the idea of having 3 exposed terminals, so I had to place yet another order for a WAU160-750, this time from Digikey and was finally able to get my Inty II up and running with a stock spec power supply. Guess I'll keep the Atari 5200 PSU I've used for years as backup, though I don't anticipate any of these ultra high quality Triad PSU's failing anytime soon. Anyways, lesson learned.. Mind those part numbers!

 

See pics below to understand exactly what I mean. ?