PC Engine CoreGraFX II power question

[Tachikoma]

My PC Engine arrived today from Antipasta's visit to Japan. Looking at the power supply briefly before I run to work, it appears that a Master System power supply is the same output. Is it safe to run it off this, or should I splash out on a step-down transformer?










p.s. Now in the market for some Japanese HuCards! :-D

[Greatsaintlouis]

I've got a PCE CoreGrafx, and it works perfectly fine with the AC adaptor from my Turbografx - 10.5 volts, 730 ma. Hope that helps!

[SilverBolt]

I used a stepdown converter for mine just to be on the safe side.

[Tatsujin]

if it is a 220V AC-Adapotor so you can't use a step-downconverter since in UK the installation runs on 220V arround, i'm right?
if it is a 100/110V AC-Adaptor it's highly recommanded to use a step-downconverter, if you not want burn down your ac-adaptor in less than few millisecs.

[Tachikoma]

if it is a 220V AC-Adapotor so you can't use a step-downconverter since in UK the installation runs on 220V arround, i'm right?
if it is a 100/110V AC-Adaptor it's highly recommanded to use a step-downconverter, if you not want burn down your ac-adaptor in less than few millisecs.

Yeah in the UK we have 220~240V, the output on the CoreGraFX was something like 10V 650MAh which is only one volt higher than a SMS power supply which I think 9V and 650MAh. As the CoreGraFX power supply is 110V it would indeed fry if I plugged it in, which is why I ased if my UK SMS power supply would work. I think I have a multi-adaptor somewhere, should I get any games before picking up a step-down transformer.

[AntiPasta]

I wouldn't use a multi-adapter, they (at least the ones here) seem to output 300mA max. My brother once tried to draw too much power out of it, and some resistor in it blew up and it started to output twice the voltage and blew up my dad's radio :smt043

[Tatsujin]

my multi-ads could drive a outputcurrent of 1A max.

@tachi: the inputvoltage doesn't matter if it's not much lower than 9V. because inside the grafx works a 7805 voltageregulator, which convert the 9V to a stable 5V level. but this regulator has a big dropout voltage which is about 3,5V. so if the input voltage is not lower than 8,5V anything will be oke, and even better, because the regulator has a lower dissipation loss.
just watch out vor the current. the ac-adaptor have to be able to supply the current it needs.

[Baseley09]

Just use the standard megadrive, master system, snes etc adaptor, i have no probs 12 years.

[Tachikoma]

Ok, I will give the SMS power supply a shot when I get hold of a game.

Thanks for all your replies.

[XerdoPwerko]

My CoreGrafX2 (the gray one) works with a japanese adapter that is apparently marked as that of a famicom. Probably a famicom or superfamicom adapter, but not sure.

It has a famicom or super famicom logo and is a nintendo brand adapter. Model number HVC-002. Does not fit my american Snes.

Current here in Mexico is the same as the USA.

Haven't had any trouble with it at all.

If the NES and Fami had the same adapter, then I guess you're set.

[XerdoPwerko]

Definitely a SuperFami adapter.

I saw an identical one on Ebay, so I'm sure now.

SO - SuperFami and CoreGrafX2 use the same AC Adapter.

Another option for you. But

Does SuperFami use the same adapter that Fami used?

[Calpis]

HVC-002 is the original Famicom adapter. The FF stands for Famicom Family, which means its compatible with the Famicom, Famicom Disk System, Super Famicom and AV Famicom. The USA/Canada/Mexico SNES did not use the same power jack because apariently (haven't owned one in years) the US/C/M NES used a bizzare 9V AC which would fry the SNES if the jack had been the same. Thus, NEVER use a NES power adapter with a Japanese console. Any Mega Drive 1/SMS should be perfect though.

I recommend using a 9V, ~850mA adapter. (All consoles use a 7805 voltage regulator which are made to regulate 9V voltages.) You must make sure that the power adapter's center pole is negative always. All the older consoles don't have protection against center positive adapters.

[AntiPasta]

Damn, it appears that my Megadrive adapter has a plug just a teensy bit too small to fit into my PCE Interface Unit... moreover, the IU claims to draw 1500mA... anyone know what adapter I can use?

[XerdoPwerko]

Sorry for the disinformation. My bad.

But that HVC-002 Famicom Family adapter might be common and does perfectly fit the PCE's input - so, if you got an extra Famicom adapter or something, that should work.

Works for me anyway.

Hope this helps.

[Calpis]

Damn, it appears that my Megadrive adapter has a plug just a teensy bit too small to fit into my PCE Interface Unit... moreover, the IU claims to draw 1500mA... anyone know what adapter I can use?
The PCE IU uses the same jack as a DUO, you can't use any other adapter... :( What I did is modify my DUOs to use a standard MD adapter, if you do decide to change the jack make sure you switch the ground and 5v wires after you do this since the DUO adapter is center positive!


But that HVC-002 Famicom Family adapter might be common and does perfectly fit the PCE's input - so, if you got an extra Famicom adapter or something, that should work.
Yup, all Japanese cosoles were designed to have interchangeable power adapters (as many consoles didn't come with one!) You can also interchange monoural AV cables between the Core Grafx/Mega Drive/Neo Geo. Stereo PCE cables won't work however because on the MD at least, sync (I think) is on the right channel's line.

[sabre470]

Hello,

From my experience, the NES and SNES adapter didn't work for me at least the PAL ones but SFC and SNES share the same voltage.

I used my Coregrafx with an MD adapter since the one I was given with it died, bad wire. The MD adapter worked but the image seems is not completely stable (flickering) and the console was making some background noise on the TV as well maybe voltage and amp are not quit right. Like a buzz.

In the mean time I got Supercdrom2 from ebay with no cables, I contacted the guys at www.superfamishop.com and they were kind enough to sell me a power adapter suited for the Coregrafx and the Supercdrom2.

For the video cable I had the same info that MD and Neogeo video cable could work, but it didn't and both my Coregrafx and Coregrafx 2 and Supercdrom2.

To overcome that, I built my own cable, using certain diagrams I found on the net and the remains of a broken Coregrafx cable.

Be careful with PC Engine consoles they are very sensitive to power and video cables. My best advice for power get a proper PCE adapter from an import shop.

As for the video cable maybe I can help you with that.

Sabre

[Calpis]

PCE MD and Neo literally do use the same cable, as long as the unused pins don't interfere then it shouldn't be a problem. I use my composite MD AV cable all the time for my PCE. It is very true that PCEs are power sensitive, you need to provide them with "clean" power and enough of it. If you're going to use expansions or addons drawing the PCE's power, use a higher amperage adapter.

[sabre470]

You maybe right, all the cables I have tested on the PCE are RGB, I have composite only on the cable I built for it.

Sabre

[Calpis]

RGB cables would definately do it, PCE doesn't provide RGB on the DIN connector :)