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NEC PC-Engine/SuperGrafx => PC Engine/SuperGrafx Discussion => Topic started by: Hippokittie on May 20, 2017, 07:18:21 PM

Title: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on May 20, 2017, 07:18:21 PM
My interface unit's power cord got chewed through by my dog. Now I need to find a replacement one. Anyone know of one on like Amazon I can get? On a low budget...
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Black Tiger on May 21, 2017, 03:25:11 AM
Are talking about the PC Engine IFU?
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on May 21, 2017, 08:01:41 AM
Yes, the PC Engine cd2 interface unit haha.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: filler on May 21, 2017, 02:44:16 PM
Has anyone suggested placing the PC-FX section of the forum underneath the PCE/TG16 section?
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on May 21, 2017, 08:25:19 PM
If it helps at all I am in the United States
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Necromancer on May 22, 2017, 03:08:18 AM
The PC-FX subforum is for the PC-FX system, the successor to the PCE.  Try to post future threads in the correct area.  Thread moved.  :mrgreen:



There's this guy (http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-DC-Power-Supply-Adapter-for-FC-SFC-MD-MS-Pc-Engine-interface-unit-/112392091340?hash=item1a2b1736cc:g:H6kAAOSwEetWAsCK) on ebay.  The description says it'll work with an IFU, but I've no personal experience with 'em and can't say if they're good or not.

There's also this one that's been recommended in previous threads.

You could also check with fellow member Keith Courage.  I know he's had some for sale before, either OEM or third party.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on May 22, 2017, 07:21:47 AM
Didn't mean to post in the wrong area haha. Thank you. Would you happen to know what kind of chord to use for my pce interface briefcase?
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: xelement5x on May 22, 2017, 08:27:35 AM
If it's the same as the CoreGrafx/PC Engine (which I think it is) you could just use a Genesis Model 1/SegaCD power supply.  The 1602 is the model I'm talking about.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: SuperPlay on May 22, 2017, 08:41:19 AM
Couple of links:

Thread: http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=22081.0

PSU Ratings: http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=repair:pcepowersupplies
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: LowRes on May 22, 2017, 10:01:00 AM
I always get a new power supply from retrogamesupply.com for Japanese systems.  They make new power supplies with the correct voltage and amps for the system and for correct use in North America.

I've used them for a Sega CDX I had, and for my PC Engine Duo.  They are not expensive either.

Here's the link for your Interface Unit:
https://en.retrogamesupply.com/collections/pc-engine/products/power-supply-for-nec-pc-engine-interface-unit

In my opinion, better than the original japanese power supply.  Yes the japanese power supply does work in North America but it is not good for the system.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: MNKyDeth on May 22, 2017, 10:46:49 AM
Yes the japanese power supply does work in North America but it is not good for the system.


Just to be clear..... If you open a PAD-124 (Japanese PCE Duo Black) power supply and open up a US TurboDuo power supply they are exactly the same.
The extra 10v from our wall outlets will just make the stock power supplies run a little warmer. But anyone with a US Duo has been doing this since they came out in the US.

When it comes to replacement power supplies you want to find good voltage regulated supplies, with around the same volts output and at least the same or higher mA output.

7805 voltage regulators inside the machine are designed to handle between 7 to 35v I believe. So your just fighting a heat battle with the 7805 and there heatsinks. Keep the voltage max 12v regulated power supply minimum 9v with at least 1.5mA output.

Just find a connector or an adapter for a power supply that fits the unit properly with the correct polarity.


This one here has the correct polarity (center negative) and it is 5.5x2.5 the same as the original according to gamesx chart. It's 12v and 3A so it should handle everything fine. There may be better options out there, but this one would get the job done.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mains-12V-3A-5-5mm-2-5mm-Center-Negative-AC-DC-Adapter-Charger-Power-Supply-Cord-/232058403905?hash=item3607c23c41:g:5tcAAOSw~y9ZC9O~

I havn't tested it myself but from all the specs this is more then enough and it wont run any hotter then the stock power supply. I know it says 9v on the stock power supply but they output more toward 16v and when plugged into the system they output more toward the rated values but still typically higher then the rated value. As they are not regulated power supplies.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on May 22, 2017, 11:15:43 AM
If it's the same as the CoreGrafx/PC Engine (which I think it is) you could just use a Genesis Model 1/SegaCD power supply.  The 1602 is the model I'm talking about.
My genesis power adapter only dose 500 Ma, dont I need closer to 1400Ma?
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: xelement5x on May 22, 2017, 11:33:25 AM
If it's the same as the CoreGrafx/PC Engine (which I think it is) you could just use a Genesis Model 1/SegaCD power supply.  The 1602 is the model I'm talking about.
My genesis power adapter only dose 500 Ma, dont I need closer to 1400Ma?


Yes, if you look at what SuperPlay posted here:
PSU Ratings: http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=repair:pcepowersupplies


You can see the IFU takes:
CD-ROM2 Interface Unit   9V   1450mA   , center negative. 

The Genesis 1602 adapter outputs 9V 1.2A, which has always worked for me with the PC Engine and CoreGrafx (since they only need 650/800mA respectively accoridng to that list).  But may not be enough for the IFU.  I've never seen a variant of the 1602 that only puts out 500mA, you might be thinking of like the 2103 versions, but that type of jack doesn't even fit in a PCE. 
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: mickcris on May 22, 2017, 11:36:58 AM
Cheapest thing to do would be solder the wires back together on the one your dog chewed through.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: xelement5x on May 22, 2017, 11:58:30 AM
Cheapest thing to do would be solder the wires back together on the one your dog chewed through.

Lol, that's a solid point.  He could probably even get away with just using a twist on connector, but he still needs to know which wire goes to the positive and negative parts of the plug. 
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: mickcris on May 22, 2017, 12:11:58 PM
I assume it is broken in the middle somewhere.  I would think the  wires would be 2 different colors. Probably a red and a black wire

And yeah, you can also just twist them back together and cover with electrical tape in a pinch. 

If the wires aren't different colors, can just hook them up one way and measure the output to see if it's center negative or positive.  If incorrect, then switch wires
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Ex_Mosquito on May 23, 2017, 08:37:51 AM
A word of warning. I used a 9v 1200a PSU and the IFU powered on and played HuCards but the CD drive would be VERY temprimental loading a CD, it was if it was having trouble reading the disk, I originally thought my CD drive was in its way out. Anyway, I tried a different PSU with 9v 1750a and the CD drive loads a CD every time.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: GohanX on May 23, 2017, 02:48:07 PM
If it's the same as the CoreGrafx/PC Engine (which I think it is) you could just use a Genesis Model 1/SegaCD power supply.  The 1602 is the model I'm talking about.
My genesis power adapter only dose 500 Ma, dont I need closer to 1400Ma?
If it's a model 2 Genesis you may be ok, they use very little power. Model 1s use significantly more.
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: Hippokittie on June 09, 2017, 04:30:42 PM
Would this work?

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/40-Watt-40W-Universal-Mini-Laptop-Netbook-Notebook-AC-Adapter-Power-Cord-Automatic-Voltage-Adjustment-9-5V-12V-18-5V-19V-20V-5-Tips-Kentek/118781270

Also, the concern was the dog...ate the connector...so no rewiring. The Genesis I have is an off brand (non Sega) hence the 500ma.

or would this be better? http://www.frys.com/product/8030414?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Title: Re: Interface unit power dead...
Post by: spenoza on June 15, 2017, 06:29:12 AM
The second doesn't appear to have adequate amperage. I cannot determine polarity easily for the first.

You need a 9 volt power adapter that can push at least 1.5A (1500ma) and has a center-negative (sometimes just called negative or negative tip) 5.5mm x 2.5mm plug.

These would all be sufficient:

https://www.amazon.com/OMNIHIL-Adapter-Negative-OMH-120-0920U-100-240V/dp/B013KYYNUA/

https://www.amazon.com/Zawdio-Power-Supply-Adapter-Negative/dp/B01H0ZAXYU/