Multi Power Brick Survey

[hex65000]

I've finally gotten around to start proper work on a project that would be a nice boon for classic gamers. Specifically, power supplies. I hate having an army of bricks that don't fit on my power strips, nor do I want to shell out money for a custom shaped strip, so that's how I have gotten to this point.

 

Now, the question is presented, which systems should it support? I have been working on one that does it all, IE: Genesis(1,2,3)(w/ 32x and CD drive) NES, SNES, Jag + CD, Colecovision, 2600, & 7800.

 

I have done some inital pricing for parts and I'm estimating it will be well over $60 for the parts alone -- this excludes a PC board.

 

And so... I'm just going to do 4 systems, and I want the AA gang to help me out. I have some leanings, and would like to try and sell these if possible.

 

Bear in mind the following:

When you support multiple systems/accessories at once, I need to make sure that I can meet the power rating of all active bricks. So, if you want to run a Genesis2, 32x, and CD you are approaching 3A of maximum DC draw, which makes parts more expensive, because of the need to support a high current through the system.

 

Odd systems like the Colecovision have a +V and a -V. This means I have to select a transformer that will allow me to do this, and cost goes up...

 

Also, anyone who can help me properly identify some of the system connectors, part numbers, and where to get them. Please PM me.

 

Hex.

[ $35 for a transformer... wow.... ]

[Mr.FoodMonster]

i dont know any of the techie stuff relating to this, but i think it would be the best, if you only want 4 systems to do; Genesis (32x ect..) NES, SNES and 2600. they seem to be the most popular and have the largest amount of games with it.

[christianscott27]

one of those funky universal adjustable power supplies from radioshack will suit most systems, check out deathskull labs for more info on console power needs. as for trying to deal with the colecovision power supply i'd say you're either nuts or a lot smarter than those who have tried before, that things a beast.

[Ze_ro]

I think his idea isn't for a universal adaptor, but rather a single adaptor that will plug into multiple systems at once. Therefor, the Genesis, NES, etc only plug into one socket.

 

There is actually a ColecoVision power supply that has the brick in the middle of the cord, so that the part that plugs into the wall is just a normal plug. In fact, I'm fairly sure this is the more common power supply out there. I think you'd be better off focusing on machines that would otherwise jam everything up... most of which you've already mentioned.

 

By the way, the Odyssey^2 has the same power requirements as the NES, so you could even claim that you support the O^2 as well

 

--Zero

[jsoper]

a 5200 supply with the right connectors can power just about anything except a CV (as noted), gen/32x/cd combination, C64, TI99/4a, and maybe a couple others.

I thought of doing this once, but with the time it would take, there were too many more interesting projects waiting.

[Xot]

There is actually a ColecoVision power supply that has the brick in the middle of the cord, so that the part that plugs into the wall is just a normal plug. In fact, I'm fairly sure this is the more common power supply out there.  

--Zero

 

Really? Not around here. I've NEVER seen one.

[hex65000]

Yes, Ze_ro you have the idea; push a button and you get power for that system -- In fact I'm shooting for an output that is cleaner than the factory bricks. I also plan to start examining the systems to see what they do with the input voltage. IE: Why does the 2600 take a 9VDC input and immediately drop it to 5V before it hits anything else?

 

Okay... so far the wind is blowing towards the following 4 systems:

 

NES , SNES , Genesis (loaded) , and 2600

 

That simplifies my life a little bit... The coleco brick is just 'special'. Now, do you think any of you can figure out where I can get that SNES power plug -- as far as I know, it's unique.

 

The only other obstacles I see are implementing the logic needed to pull this off, meeting the power needs of the Genesis, and the PCB that it'll need.

 

How are some of the other devlopers getting boards done?

 

Hex.

[ Without power you aren't going far... ]

[Ze_ro]

Why does the 2600 take a 9VDC input and immediately drop it to 5V before it hits anything else?

 

It's because of the "dirty power" that you mentioned. Although line voltage is usually assumed to be 120V, it actually fluctuates quite a bit. If you had a transformer connected to this that was meant to output 5V, you could never really be sure that you'd have a constant 5V output. Atari made the power supply output 9V because even with the power fluctuations, you can be almost guaranteed that it's not going to drop below 5V. If the power were to drop below 5V, the logic inside the Atari would no longer work, and the game wouldn't behave properly (it would likely just crash or lock up). Almost all electronics do this kind of thing actually.

 

Since the Atari power supply was built for the 70's, it might be over-compensating. I don't know how dirty the power lines are compared to 30 years ago, and you might actually be able to get away with a 6V or 7V input... but I wouldn't mess around trying stuff like that.

 

Now, do you think any of you can figure out where I can get that SNES power plug -- as far as I know, it's unique.

 

I had a Radio Shack universal adaptor once that had a SNES socket on it... it actually only had three different heads, and a fixed voltage/current, so I'm pretty sure it was made with the SNES in mind. Other than that, I think you're right. These are a pain in the butt to find.

 

--Zero

[hex65000]

* * Ze_Ro said...

Atari made the power supply output 9V because even with the power fluctuations, you can be almost guaranteed that it's not going to drop below 5V. If the power were to drop below 5V, the logic inside the Atari would no longer work, and the game wouldn't behave properly (it would likely just crash or lock up).

- - - - -- - - - -

 

You're mostly right. The 2600 has a 7805 5V regulator in it and that has a minimum voltage in from the get-go. I want to say around 1.5V + the output voltage or something... I'd have to go back and look at the specs. The reason I am even kicking around that idea is because I intend to have a regulated DC voltage going into the systems where possible -- the NES is AC and presents a different set of issues. The point is that I'm setting things up so that the console's internal regulation might not have to work so hard. I think it's worth looking at even if I decide not to do such a thing.

 

Another thing I'll have to do is come up with a connector scheme.

 

I'd like all of you to take a moment and think about how many different electronic connectors exist in your world... and realise that someone hates us all. They always are the last thing you think about and yet so important. I have fought with making connectors and cables work together more than I'd like to lately.

 

Each connector has to be two things: Keyed (so you can't put it in backwards) and unique -- so you can't say... put the NES output into your Genesis 3 -- promptly killing it dead. The other option would be to have all of those cables just hanging off the side or top, but that's messy too.

 

Oh yeah... and a third thing: STANDARD. So I can buy more without having to learn a new language.

 

I also don't understand what is so difficult about the Colecovision's power supply. I actually had a design and a parts list that would easily support it.

 

Mind you that was the $35 transformer and the connector is weird... of course.

 

For what it's worth, I've got another goodie up my sleeve for the 5200 fans... It's practical and may be slightly better than the original.

I'll announce that one when I have built the first unit...

 

Hex.

[ Lord of the cables... ]

[spongebue]

MOST (not all, but most) systems have a 7805 (the chip that brings all voltages down to 5) inside of it, but the color may be different if you try voltages other than 9 on the 2600 since the color control pot gets 9 volts instead of 5. You could probably adjust this, however. Also, the 7805 can be powered at voltages between 7.2 and 36, but higher voltages will create more heat since the 7805 converts excess voltage into heat. Good luck on that project though.

[jsoper]

MOST (not all, but most) systems have a 7805 (the chip that brings all voltages down to 5) inside of it, but the color may be different if you try voltages other than 9 on the 2600 since the color control pot gets 9 volts instead of 5.  You could probably adjust this, however.  

Good point, that reference voltage was a royal pain when trying to make a portable 2600

run unregulated off batteries. What's funny is all the Tia's I tried needed a ref voltage

of about 4.2v, so why didn't they just put the pot between 5v and ground. Guess Atari

wanted some comfort room.

[FABombjoy]

Since the main complaint regards power adapters not fitting on normal power strips, take a look at this:

 

http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/E...&Go.x=26&Go.y=6

 

I bought a bunch & now have 20+ systems running off of one power strip. Much cleaner & safer than having a bunch of adapters all plugged in awkwardly next to each other.