Any NES Top Loader ppl here?

[akaviolence]

Thanks for the recap of why 7805s suck, I probably should add that to the intro on my page just to further explain why I wanted to try a switching supply.

The parts you show still use a 7805 though

Not sure what you are referring to here, the console with the switching wall adapter has had all the components except for the 1500uF cap taken out, including the 7805, hence no heat, less power consumption etc. Yes the other one is factory and left it that way for comparison...

Many retro consoles you refer to take in AC and convert to DC (eg NES and SNES) or just take in 7+ volts (eg Megadrive, whatever), and then in both scenarios run to a 7805 on the console board, making 5v. You can just buy a switching regulator (eg Texas Instruments PTH08T230WAD, or similar) and configure it to 5v (or 4.98v as 7805's generate) to connect to the console board directly,

I've posted this topic on several other forums and a few ppl have already pointed me toward an even easier replacement, its a drop in pin perfect replacement module for the 7805, in case you're interested, digikey, ebay. I've ordered one from Mouser and will get it tested asap.

and have an external mains>DC power supply of around 7.5v-12v to feed into the regulator.

Thats fine except the problem still exists that someone will try to hook it up to an original NES adapter, sending in a/c and fry it, IF I take out the rectifier, so it i'm also looking for a higher efficient rectifier bridge, any ideas there?

[Hobie-wan]

Many retro consoles you refer to take in AC and convert to DC (eg NES and SNES)

The Euro SNES is AC as well? Here in the US the NES is the only AC one I'm aware of from the 80s and later. I know you guys have a normal barrel plug on your SNES, did they just re-use the NES brick?

[bacteria]

The 7805 replacement you referred to is quite interesting, pity they aren't cheap. I notice they are ok for up to 1 amp only; the TI card I mentioned is rated at 6 amps. Interesting link, thanks.

Yes, the UK SNES and NES consoles use 9v AC input. Interestingly, if you bypass this circuit and wire DC power to the 7805 the AC normally routes towards after converting to DC voltage, the on/off button doesn't work, and on the NES, the reset doesn't either; I know it is easy to re-wire them, interesting though they appear "by-passed" normally though. Whatever!

I think it would be excellent to have a thread dedicated to step-down and step-up regulators; different ones, how good they are, etc.

[akaviolence]

The 7805 replacement you referred to is quite interesting, pity they aren't cheap. I notice they are ok for up to 1 amp only; the TI card I mentioned is rated at 6 amps. Interesting link, thanks.

Yeah I noticed that, but we dont need that much current and you are right about the price. However, they can be home-made for $3, and you can get it to higher amps, it just won't look pretty and won't be drop in pin compatible. I order the prebuilt unit and parts to build one myself from Mouser. I'll keep everyone posted on how that turns out.

[bacteria]

That will be good, and useful; keep us posted on that.

[akaviolence]

Multiple updates:
The heat research page has been almost totally redone with better initial tests, drop in replacement switching regulator tests, and cpu and ppu heat sink tests.
The power research page also has additional info regarding the switching regulator and switching wall cubes, plus better initial comparison of power consumption of different wall adapters.
Modding has its own page now, with a few teasers added, but mostly the same stuff.

[Anapan]

I followed the mod guide off of Gamesx and it didn't provide pics of the completed circuit (wires intact, composite video amp installed). It was a little confusing to me before I did some tests, and the final pieces came together. I'm looking at your page and it looks like an advertisement more than a wiki/guide site. To me there's no useful information. Could you provide internal pictures of what you have done? If not, why is your commercial venture hosted on a wiki site?

[akaviolence]

The gamesx.com mod is a poor video quality mod, use the one described in the nesdev forum, its the one i use.

[Wobble The Hutt]

is there any info on a PPU replacment mod for the NES toploaders for RGB out? also nice linky for the drop in 7805 replacement. also the TI device looks pretty sweet too. ill probably have to get some of those when i get around to gutting the RF box out of my toaster NES.

[akaviolence]

is there any info on a PPU replacment mod for the NES toploaders for RGB out?

I've got almost everything I need to do one and once I do it i'll get some info and links put up about it, its already horribly expensive and destructive of other hard to find playchoice arcade boards.

also the TI device looks pretty sweet too. ill probably have to get some of those when i get around to gutting the RF box out of my toaster NES.

TI device?