[MooMoo]

Thanks to the many rabbits I've owned over the years, some of my adaptors are chewed to shit, and I need new ones. Sadly, it's cheaper for me to buy a whole console package on some ebay auctions, rather than a plug by itself.

I specifically need an SMS plug, but I've just been wondering. I've interchanged the Mega Drive and Master System adaptors for many years without problems, but I've always known that the outputs on both adaptors were different, the SMS is 9V, 1.0A, and the MD is 10V, 1.2A. I've seen plugs listed which are designed to fit both consoles, and they list the latter specifications.

So what I was wondering is, would using the Mega Drive plug affect my SMS in any way? I use both I and II, so would it affect one over the other? I know the plug I have is likely to have come off the model II, so I'm not sure if the I does indeed match the specs of the MD plug. I'm hoping it wont matter, so then I can go ahead and get the Mega Drive plug (there are more of them) as opposed to the more expensive SMS plugs.

Sorry if I've made this more convoluted than it should have been.

[GerbilSoft]

Both the Sega Master System and Sega Genesis use 7805s internally in order to reduce the power supply voltage to 5V. This requires an input voltage of at least 7V in order to work properly, but will usually handle up to 15V without overheating.

tl;dr SMS adapters should work with MD1s and vice-versa. The amperage difference shouldn't be a problem. (As a point of reference, one of my sets of Genesis 1 + Sega CD 2 systems included an SMS MK-3025 adapter, and it works fine on both the MD1 and MCD2.)

[TmEE]

I use MD1 and SMS bricks randomly between MD1, SMS1/2, Game Gear and MCD1/2. MD2 brick has its own plug that fits for MD2, 32X, CDX/Multimega, Nomad and US Game Gears.
For MD2 likes you can safely use PSone or PS2 brick. For MD1 likes you need at least 7V and 1A or more. 12V 1A bricks are very common and very cheap, you have to look out if polarity is correct (center negative) and that diameter of the barrel and hole is right (I don't remember on top of my head what they are).

[MooMoo]

Awesomesauce. I was just concerned incase the higher voltage would eventually fry the SMS. I'll just buy a few spare MD ones in that case.

[Uberham]

SNES plugs work too IIRC, used one with our SMS2 back in the day.

[Billy]

Is there a way to get a MD2/32X compatible AC adapter with the brick in the middle of the cord instead of on the end? I'm guessing not, because that would be a godsend.

[mentski]

Billy, on 31 July 2013 - 02:21 PM, said:

Is there a way to get a MD2/32X compatible AC adapter with the brick in the middle of the cord instead of on the end? I'm guessing not, because that would be a godsend.

I got myself one of these: http://www.ebay.co.u...R-/230569291133

Split it off 3 ways on the end and you can power an entire MD/MCD/32X combo on it. I got the tip from this Youtube vid:



This dude even adds a 4th for his SMS

(NOTE: remember to wire the polarities correct, centre negative for SMS/MD1/MCD, and center positive for MD2 and 32X. Otherwise: Paff!)

This post has been edited by mentski: 31 July 2013 - 03:34 PM

[Sodaholic]

This may be a dumb question, but why didn't they just pack a 5v brick in there and not use a downconverter?

[MooMoo]

Uberham, on 31 July 2013 - 02:13 PM, said:

SNES plugs work too IIRC, used one with our SMS2 back in the day.

Nah, maybe it fits a MDII, but it certainly doesn't fit a I or SMSII. :/

[Billy]

mentski, on 31 July 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

I got myself one of these: http://www.ebay.co.u...R-/230569291133

Sweet, thanks for the info. Incidentally I didn't think of running them off of one supply till your post, so I googled around and found this: http://www.retrogame...-sega-trio.html. Sold out though, damn!

[Uberham]

MooMoo, on 31 July 2013 - 05:44 PM, said:

Uberham, on 31 July 2013 - 02:13 PM, said:

SNES plugs work too IIRC, used one with our SMS2 back in the day.

Nah, maybe it fits a MDII, but it certainly doesn't fit a I or SMSII. :/

Christ knows what kind of freaky ass SNES he had then, but it fitted the SMS2 we had no problem, unless our SMS was the freaky one....

[Shadow Hog]

Billy, on 31 July 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

mentski, on 31 July 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

I got myself one of these: http://www.ebay.co.u...R-/230569291133

Sweet, thanks for the info. Incidentally I didn't think of running them off of one supply till your post, so I googled around and found this: http://www.retrogame...-sega-trio.html. Sold out though, damn!

I was just gonna swoop in and suggest one of these, since the topic's deviated from Master Systems to Genesis/CD/32X combos.

I've got a Duo coming in for my Genesis 1/CD 2 combo. I'll let you know how well it works at some point; gonna be moving within a few months, it seems, so might be best to try it out then.

[GerbilSoft]

Sodaholic, on 31 July 2013 - 04:16 PM, said:

This may be a dumb question, but why didn't they just pack a 5v brick in there and not use a downconverter?

7805 isn't just a downconverter; it's a voltage regulator. It can smooth out minor dips in the voltage that would otherwise get passed on to other components, plus it has protection against overcurrent situations.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/78xx

[mentski]

Billy, on 31 July 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

mentski, on 31 July 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

I got myself one of these: http://www.ebay.co.u...R-/230569291133

Sweet, thanks for the info. Incidentally I didn't think of running them off of one supply till your post, so I googled around and found this: http://www.retrogame...-sega-trio.html. Sold out though, damn!

Yeah, those Trios sell out FAST. I've been after one for several months but every time he adds new stock I miss out (the last batch sold out in less than an hour), which is why I ended up buying a Delta PSU.

The Trio is the more traditional block on the plug end though, if that is an issue.

This post has been edited by mentski: 31 July 2013 - 11:54 PM

[SpeedStarTMQ]

I have specifically put off buying a Mega CD because I don't have the plugs available (I plug everything in at once and I am quite OCD about having things left a certain way- also my plugs are hard to reach) but now I've seen one of these baby's, I'll invest in a Mega CD if I can get a Trio as you guys say they're quite elusive... so I'm not getting my hopes up.