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Everblue
09-06-2011, 03:06 AM
Hi,

A guy I know is selling a "faulty" JP Dreamcast. The problem is that one day he forgot to use the step down transformer (we have 220v here) and needless to say he fried it.

Do you guys think that only the internal PSU would be fried (which can be replaced for cheap no problem) or one cannot really tell without first having to buy a new PSU :dammit:

Thanks for the suggestions.
Bad_Ad84
09-06-2011, 03:09 AM
It will probably just be the PSU that needs replacing.
Everblue
09-06-2011, 03:15 AM
It will probably just be the PSU that needs replacing.

Ok - once I am getting a replacement PSU for it, might as well get a 220v adapter for it? Can I just chuck one in so I do away with the stepdown transformer?
Bad_Ad84
09-06-2011, 08:27 AM
Yeah, you can use a 220v PSU in a 100-120v console no problem.
Treamcaster
09-06-2011, 11:29 AM
I had this problem once, and all I had to do was replace the fried ntsc-j psu for a pal one. No step-up-step-down converter needed anymore.
l_oliveira
09-06-2011, 08:35 PM
Hm ... You can't use 220V power supplies on 100V Dreamcast if it's VA0 (heatpipes model) because the older chipset has a higher current drawn than the later chipset found on VA1 unit.

If the Japanese Dreamcast is VA1 (plastic fan assembly) you can safely use the 220V PSU in it. :thumbsup:
Treamcaster
09-06-2011, 09:23 PM
Hm ... You can't use 220V power supplies on 100V Dreamcast if it's VA0 (heatpipes model) because the older chipset has a higher current drawn than the later chipset found on VA1 unit.


Where did you read that? My Dc's running with that setup..
l_oliveira
09-06-2011, 10:10 PM
I didn't read it anywhere. I had the unhappy idea of changing my JP dreamcast to 220v by replacing the original PSU with a 220V pal (Matsushita branded) powersupply which overheated a LOT because the japanese motherboard were drawing more current than it could supply.

Eventually the Dreamcast started to crash/reset a lot. When I opened the Dreamcast, the power supply was blackened out at some parts from overheating. :rolleyes:

Returned original PSU and all problems stopped.

The PAL PSU required three capacitors be replaced to stop the reset problems. (Overheat damaged them)
WarRen22
09-06-2011, 11:43 PM
Just the PSU, i can tell that because i have a dreamcast that time ago explodes for the same problem, changed the psu and problem solved.
Treamcaster
09-07-2011, 01:24 AM
I didn't read it anywhere. I had the unhappy idea of changing my JP dreamcast to 220v by replacing the original PSU with a 220V pal (Matsushita branded) powersupply which overheated a LOT because the japanese motherboard were drawing more current than it could supply.

Eventually the Dreamcast started to crash/reset a lot. When I opened the Dreamcast, the power supply was blackened out at some parts from overheating. :rolleyes:

Returned original PSU and all problems stopped.

The PAL PSU required three capacitors be replaced to stop the reset problems. (Overheat damaged them)

Oh wow, I never guesed that... looks like I better start searching for a jp psu. Thank you for the heads up!
Bad_Ad84
09-07-2011, 02:23 AM
I have VA0 DC's running on a 220v psu no problem too.

I will measure the current draw and compare.
Treamcaster
09-07-2011, 03:53 AM
I have VA0 DC's running on a 220v psu no problem too.

I will measure the current draw and compare.

Yeah, that's a good idea, thanks.
Everblue
09-07-2011, 07:37 AM
How can I check if a Dreamcast is a VA0 or VA1 model? Thanks!
l_oliveira
09-07-2011, 01:13 PM
VA0 has heatpipes and aluminum body fan.
VA1 has black plastic fan and no heatpipes.


PAL PSU was designed for VA1 units because there's no VA0 PAL units.
There is NTSC U/C and NTSC J VA0 units though.

Edit: VA0 compatible power supplies obviously do work fine on VA1 units as they can supply more than the VA1 board can draw...
bart_simpson
09-07-2011, 03:19 PM
Ok to fix that is easy 100uf 200v cap and the fuse 2.5 amp,
and will work again i have fixed a few power supplys.
l_oliveira
09-07-2011, 03:36 PM
Ok to fix that is easy 100uf 200v cap and the fuse 2.5 amp,
and will work again i have fixed a few power supplys.

Remember to clean the fluid that leaked from the capacitor.

It's both corrosive and conductive (once it's outside of the capacitor it reacts with the air and becomes conductive and corrosive).