PC Engine Duo RGB video noise related to power adapter used

[Ziggy]

If anyone know where I can get some for under $10 shipped do let me know.

This requirement is incompatible with getting a quality brick.

Not necessarily. Go to any local thrift shop, Goodwill, etc. Usually by the electronics, there's at least some kind of a selection of random power adapters. The thrift stores I frequent, some have just 2 or 3 lying on a shelf while others have a huge section of wall dedicated to them. Search for the specs you need, and try and find a good name brand adapter. Something like HP, Philips, Sony, Panasonic, etc, etc. ANYTHING would be better than some shitty no-name China adapter. Best part is, they're random adapters in a thrift store so they're only a few bucks each.

You only need to pay attention to the voltage and amperage. Forget the the polarity and tip size. You can change the polarity easily (just swap the wires around) and if the tip size doesn't fit then just change the tip with one that does (like the tip from one of the garbage adapters you're using now).

[Teh Lurv]

I actually found a 12v 1000mA AC adapter in that box that might be usable. But I am afraid 12V might be too much for the Duo to handle.

If the Duo only takes 10v don't use a 12v adapter, you'll damage your console.

[Hobie-wan]

Not necessarily.

He did say "shipped". A quality brick plus shipping is pretty much guaranteed to be more than $10 to one's door.

But yeah, checking random bricks at Goodwill might get lucky. I found a Gateway brick for the noname laptop I ended up with, I just had to drill the center of the plug slightly to make it fit. I also keep forgetting to write down the CDX specs so I can find one for that.

[Ziggy]

Ah, yes, getting one for $10 shipped might be hard. Maybe keep an eye on this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-AC-S195-9V ... 51aca8fc6b

Sony 9v 800mA

Otherwise, check thrift stores. That is what I suggest. They're usually priced WELL under $10. Once, I was lucky enough to score a GBC first party power adapter for 99 cents!

[kamiboy]

800mA might be a bit too weak for the Duo. The official brick is rated at 1000mA. In any regard, that one does not ship to Canada, so no dice.

The thrift store idea is a good one, if there were any good thrift stores about where I live, but there are none. The whole 1000mA requirement rules out most chargers though, as they usually are rated way below that.

If I cannot solve this by way of a modification I might put up an ad on the local listings and try my luck that way.

[Hobie-wan]

Look for laptop bricks. as long as you get the voltage right, the mA rating can be higher on the brick.

[Teh Lurv]

One more thing to look out for: If you end up buying a random AC adapter. Make sure it outputs DC (I'm assuming the Duo needs a DC current). Some adapters output AC which will also damage a console that expects DC.

[kamiboy]

Thanks but I am already well informed on higher level stuff like that.

I'll try a trip to the one big thrift store that is located far from me this weekend. We'll see whether they have anything of worth. I doubt it though.

Where I live stuff such as this are not easy to come by. I actually need more adapters in the 9-10V 1000-2000mA range for future projects and getting them from ebay or scouring thrift shops is not a good source for them.

That is why it would be swell if I could just fix those cheap and readily available Chinese ones. So if anyone has any suggestion in that regard I am all ears.

I should mention that I tried the ferrit core trick and it did nothing.

[kamiboy]

I actually found a 12v 1000mA AC adapter in that box that might be usable. But I am afraid 12V might be too much for the Duo to handle.

If the Duo only takes 10v don't use a 12v adapter, you'll damage your console.

Actually, it seems the Duo uses 7805's to convert the incoming DC voltage to 5 and radiates the remainder as heat. Those 7805's can accept input voltages going all the way up to the 40-50 Volt range. I think the Duo might actually function okay with the 12V adapter, it will just get a bit more hot which wont change much.

I might try this if all else fails.

[kamiboy]

Am I understanding the above diagram correctly in that +5V is supposed to be connected to Colour input and colour input is supposed to be connected to ground in both cases with a 10k resistor in between?

I know it plainly seems that way but I just find it strange that +5V would be connected to the video input and video input would be connected to ground. My understanding of electronics is minuscule though, so just to be on the safe side I thought I'd ask.