Comments on: NES Adaptor

Question: NES Adaptor

mcsweetie — Sat, 29 May 2004 16:28:13 -0800

I'm missing an adaptor for my Nintendo Entertainment System. it takes 9v, 1.5a but I've found a 9v 4.5a adaptor that fits and works but I wonder if there are any consequences to the addition current strength? well, are there?

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Sat, 29 May 2004 16:33:04 -0800

no, it's just fine.

By: tss

tss — Sat, 29 May 2004 16:53:58 -0800

To elaborate: The amount of current is determined by the device using the electricity. The 4.5 amp rating means that the NES isn't allowed to draw more than 4.5 amps from the adaptor. It's always safe to use an adaptor rated for a higher current than what you'll actually need. Voltage, on the other hand, should be matched.

By: mcsweetie

mcsweetie — Sat, 29 May 2004 17:02:19 -0800

thanks guys!

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Sat, 29 May 2004 17:15:01 -0800

(the other thing to check is polarity - there should be a little drawing somwehere like this (thanks pjrc.com!) on both the adapter and the supply. both should agree (both should have the + joined to the "middle" bit or both joined to the "ring" bit)).

ooo. diy mp3 player!

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Sat, 29 May 2004 17:21:25 -0800

ok, this is totally inappropriate, but this is just so sweet, in a geeky way (in a non-geeky way it's toe-curlingly embarassing, but this is a thread for people who care about power supplies). i just found these people via google's image search. honest!

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Sat, 29 May 2004 18:11:15 -0800

While I don't have an original NES to check this one, something in my memory says that it's 9VAC, instead of 9VDC. I can't seem to get a straight answer out of Google, so be careful.

By: Galvatron

Galvatron — Sat, 29 May 2004 18:50:22 -0800

zsazsa is correct, the official NES adaptor outputs 9VAC (a bit unusual as digital electronics go). The majority of the NES circuitry certainly uses DC, which means there must be a rectifier somewhere inside. I expect that supplying ~9VDC to the rectifier should work fine, provided that there are no components in the NES that actually require alternating current.

By: j.edwards

j.edwards — Sun, 30 May 2004 01:40:43 -0800

The NES uses the alternating current to time the NTSC signal it puts out, so I'd feed it the AC if possible.

By: mcsweetie

mcsweetie — Mon, 31 May 2004 08:51:09 -0800

thanks for everyone's replies, I've been wondering about this kinda stuff for ages!