switching ac adapter for Turboexpress

[420GOAT]

hey guys, here is another dumb question. i am getting an express with no power adapter. i have this adapter that seems to meet the requirements of the express. im not an electrical expert so i wanted to confirm with you guys. ill get the real deal but reading up on switching adapters was kinda interesting. any input is greatly appreciated. thanks. heres the link

http://reviews.recoupit.com/product-reviews/Portable-DVD-Players/Polaroid/Accessories/p/6101250-Polaroid-DSA-20R-12-Switching-Power-Supply-9V-2A.html

[BigT]

Linear or switching AC adapters would be fine; the terminology refers to the the internal electronics (in brief, switching power supplies are more efficient, but also have more complicated circuitry, so theoretically there are more parts that can fail).  From the machine's standpoint, as long as it can draw an adequate current at a specified voltage, it will be happy...

The following company sells switched mode power supplies for the turbo-grafx/pc-engine series:
http://www.retrogamecave.com/ac-adapters.html

[BigT]

Oh, and I looked at your link:
That switching adapter is rated for 2 Amps at 9 VDC.

The turbo express adapter is rated for 700 mAmps at 7 VDC
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv33/royvegas/TurboExpressACAdapter.jpg?t=1270447722

I'm not intimately familiar with the internals of the TE's power circuitry, but the mismatch in voltage may certainly cause a problem.  For regulated switching power supplies, you generally want to match voltage and have an adapter that is able to, at minimum, support the device's current draw (i.e., don't have to match current exactly, but for the TE, would need at least 700 mAmps at 7 VDC).

And, if I didn't emphasize it enough in my first post... well made switching power supplies/adapters are much superior to the old linear regulated or unregulated supplies!  Much less heat and power draw.

[420GOAT]

i saw that, i have a credit on amazon after a flakey seller did not ship the item. here is the adapter i found that matches gamecave

would this work or should i buy
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-ACD477-100-240V-Voltage...amp;sr=8-1

or...
http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Input-120VAC-output-...amp;sr=8-4


im lost on stuff like this...i think the polaroid adapter will work but the 2 amp rating worries me. is it too much for the system? thanks guys.

[BigT]

Your links aren't working.

The current is OK as long as it is >0.7 amps.  Remember that the AC adapter does not force its rated current into the device; rather, the device draws a specific amount of current (so the current rating is the maximum that is supported)!

I'd be more concerned about matching the output voltage (7 volts DC).

[420GOAT]

i dont know whats up with the link but here are some. i was leaning towards the first. ive been reading on this all day and aa worth 1.5 volts...so six at 9 volts...is this right? i just dont want to fry my toy when i get it. i also read everywhere that the system only takes what it needs.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=INPUT%3A+100-240VOLTS-+Output%3A+7.0+VDC+1A

[BigT]

6 1.5V AA batteries in series would give you about 9 volts.  However, you can't necessarily compare the two because there's likely some voltage regulating circuitry involved.

Using an adjustable AC adapter that supports a 7.5V setting (close enough), has a matching connector with correct polarity (the TE is center positive), and can provide at least 700 mA would be fine.

This is one that claims to work with the TE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-Power-Plug-Turbo-Express-Turbografx-/290496668275

I cannot vouch for any of these.  As you can tell from the reviews of the Amazon adapters, a lot of them are poorly/cheaply designed.

I, personally, would wait for retrogamecave's TE adapter; they tend to sell good products.

[Keith Courage]

I have always used a cheap universal AC adapter that I bought at Menards like 10 years ago. It runs at 7.5V and 500ma. The ma is a little on the low end for a Turbo express but it has never given me any issues. Just make sure you don't get one of those universal adapters that only puts out 300ma cause that just won't cut it.

[420GOAT]

how about wattage? many newer switching adapters do not tell this , or am i missing a formula to figure this out? im looking at energy efficient type adapters. thanks again.

[thesteve]

DC wats is just volts times amps