32x doesn't need power supply? Huh?

[Czernobog]

Alright, methinks I want to give clipping the pin a try. So should I clip the pin marked as number two in the image below on each side of the cable so that it no longer connects? Just want to make sure I'm going to cut the right pin before pulling the trigger.

[vlame]

PINS AT CONSOLE ------------------------------------------------------------------- PINS ON WIRE
don't confuse yourself. but if you're not sure; look for the triangle that 7-3-4 make- this is NOT the side you want to cut, go directly below the triangle and over one. maybe even if you cut both bottom ones you wouldn't see a difference in video because you're most likely using composite video not RGB (component).

[Jamisonia]

If that cable is giving the 32x 5V shouldn't it turn off when the Genesis is shut off? Or are you able to power the Genny from the 32x? I'd be curious if it worked with just the Genesis power supply plugged into it.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

If that cable is giving the 32x 5V shouldn't it turn off when the Genesis is shut off? Or are you able to power the Genny from the 32x? I'd be curious if it worked with just the Genesis power supply plugged into it.

No, no and no.

They aren't designed to work this way and will lead to lots off smoky electronics. While it may work for a second the 32X is designed to run on 10v (well 9.5v) not 5v therefore you're pulling waaaayyyy more than the Genesis was ever designed to put out at the back.

As for the power cutting off when you kill the console it won't. The 5v output on the back is a constantly live pin. AKA as long as the console is plugged in you'll be getting power out on it.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

because you're most likely using composite video not RGB (component).

RGB and component are very different.

RGB on any older 90's console is actually Red, Green and Blue off the VDP (Video Display Processor) and a 15hz sync signal.

Component is:

Luma (brightness and contrast) and Sync carried on the green wire.
Red signal on the red wire
Blue signal on the blue wire

With component the TV will actually play a guessing game as to how much green the signal needs to properly balance out the Red and Blue. This leads to a very clean and sharp image but usually with slightly oversaturated colors.

[Jamisonia]

You sure it doesn't bump that down to 5V once its in the 32x? What kind of power regulator does it use?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

You sure it doesn't bump that down to 5V once its in the 32x? What kind of power regulator does it use?

All I know is that the 32X has one single regulator capacitor inside it which is theb large one that peeks through a special hole in the shielding on the far left of the mushroom.

Next to nothing is actually known about the 32X's internal structure. Sega never released any proper documentation for it as the whole thing was a haphazard and Un-Godly awful mess of a machine.

Just clip the pin on the cable and use a common as can be Model 2 Genesis AC Adapter (Model: MK-2103) to avoid sparks flying eventually. You'll be glad you did before all your hardware goes up in smoke.

[Czernobog]

So I went ahead and clipped the pin that Vlame described on both sides of the cable and now my 32X/CD2/Gen2 combo works flawlessly! Thank you Modman, Vlame, and Hatta for all the help and highly useful information.

Looks like tonight's going to be a Knuckles Chaotix/Virtua Fighter/Virtua Racing Deluxe celebration night. (and maybe a bit of Doom for good measure)

[vlame]

congrats, you should make a thread about where you got the cable, what your problems were and what you did to fix them.

[Czernobog]

congrats, you should make a thread about where you got the cable, what your problems were and what you did to fix them.

I will probably do just that (although my time has been quite limited lately so it may be a bit).

The only thing that's still an issue now is that Genesis games which have a save feature do not retain their save if played using the 32X. No idea if it's a related issue though. Tested it with Landstalker. The data erases if it's played on the 32X but not if it's played using just the Genesis or the Gen/CD combo.