Will this ac adapter work on a Sega CD Model 2

[Youngblood]

So I bought a Sega CD without an ac adapter on eBay and bought a generic ac adapter for it. The input seems to be the same, AC 120V 60Hz. However, the output is slightly off, DC9V-850mA. I read that the mA is suppose to be 1200 mA. I think generally, more mA will not effect it, but too little might not provide enough power. In short, will it work?

[Jmustang1968]

So I bought a Sega CD without an ac adapter on eBay and bought a generic ac adapter for it. The input seems to be the same, AC 120V 60Hz. However, the output is slightly off, DC9V-850mA. I read that the mA is suppose to be 1200 mA. I think generally, more mA will not effect it, but too little might not provide enough power. In short, will it work?

You need to meet the minimum amperage and it needs to be center negative. A genesis model 1 adapter is what you need.

[Hobie-wan]

See the link in my sig.

[Ziggy]

So I bought a Sega CD without an ac adapter on eBay and bought a generic ac adapter for it. The input seems to be the same, AC 120V 60Hz. However, the output is slightly off, DC9V-850mA. I read that the mA is suppose to be 1200 mA. I think generally, more mA will not effect it, but too little might not provide enough power. In short, will it work?

You need to meet the minimum amperage and it needs to be center negative. A genesis model 1 adapter is what you need.

I actually use a 9v 850mA power adapter with my model 2 Sega CD, as well as a model 1 Genesis and Famicom. Works perfectly fine. It's worth pointing out though that it's a decent power adapter, and not some cheap junk one. All 9v 850mA adapters aren't equal. Just check the polarity, and if the tip size fits, there's absolutely no harm in trying it.

[Jmustang1968]

So I bought a Sega CD without an ac adapter on eBay and bought a generic ac adapter for it. The input seems to be the same, AC 120V 60Hz. However, the output is slightly off, DC9V-850mA. I read that the mA is suppose to be 1200 mA. I think generally, more mA will not effect it, but too little might not provide enough power. In short, will it work?

You need to meet the minimum amperage and it needs to be center negative. A genesis model 1 adapter is what you need.

I actually use a 9v 850mA power adapter with my model 2 Sega CD, as well as a model 1 Genesis and Famicom. Works perfectly fine. It's worth pointing out though that it's a decent power adapter, and not some cheap junk one. All 9v 850mA adapters aren't equal. Just check the polarity, and if the tip size fits, there's absolutely no harm in trying it.

A CDX will work fine too for awhile and then it starts dying, but you are starving the system for power some. Maybe sega designed for a bit extra on the safe side for the ac adapter. I would want to use the designed for power specs for longer system lifespan.

[Ziggy]

A CDX will work fine too for awhile and then it starts dying, but you are starving the system for power some. Maybe sega designed for a bit extra on the safe side for the ac adapter. I would want to use the designed for power specs for longer system lifespan.

There's nothing wrong with being cautious, but you're not really "starving" the system of power where you're actually putting stress on any components. It's either gonna work or it's not (or you'll have audio/video interference from a cheap adapter - but that's another story). There's gonna be a voltage regulator stepping down the inputted voltage anyway. So what's the difference between turning 9v or 10v into 5v? Depending on the specific regulator, nothing. Most voltage regulators have a pretty nice range of voltage input. For example, I believe the 7805 is what's found in most retro consoles. IIRC, it can input something like up to 35v, but of course, most power adapters are only 9 or 10v. I believe the SNES uses the 7805. The American SNES power supply is 10v while the PAL SNES power supply is 9v.

[Hatta]

Technically if you use a lower amperage rating power supply, you're starving the components for current, not power. Of course, at a constant voltage that means lower power too. P=I*V.

There are two possibilities when you put excessive load on a PSU. Either it will fail to deliver the amps you need, and you'll get a voltage drop. Or it may deliver all the amps you need, but will run excessively hot. A voltage drop is no big deal, you won't harm your equipment, it will either run or it won't. Running the PSU too hot may damage the components and cause failure which could damage your equipment.

It's also entirely possible that the genesis doesn't really need a full 1200mA, or that your 850mA PSU is conservatively rated and can actually deliver more. I'd try the 850mA PSU for a while under load, and see if it gets hot to the touch. If it seems unusually hot, find another supply.

[Jmustang1968]

Well the system could try to draw too much current and overheat or damage the adapter, or you could go into a low power state where not everyrhing works properly.

**edit oops hatta beat me to it.

[Ziggy]

It's also entirely possible that the genesis doesn't really need a full 1200mA, or that your 850mA PSU is conservatively rated and can actually deliver more

Ah, good point. It's not like I ever tested the current of my power adapter, because let's face it, that's a pain in the ass to do! It never occurred to me that it can safely supply more current than it's rated for (which is a very good possibility). But if I had to bet money, I'd say that the Sega CD does not require the full specs. Every device's power adapter is rated higher than what is actually needed by the device, that just seems to be good practice.

If the OP's power adapter in question is of decent quality, then I'm willing to bet it'll work perfectly fine. But I do agree, if it's running too hot than find another one. At the OP, if you can't tell what's "too hot" then just compare it to another power brick.

[Jmustang1968]

It's also entirely possible that the genesis doesn't really need a full 1200mA, or that your 850mA PSU is conservatively rated and can actually deliver more

Ah, good point. It's not like I ever tested the current of my power adapter, because let's face it, that's a pain in the ass to do! It never occurred to me that it can safely supply more current than it's rated for (which is a very good possibility). But if I had to bet money, I'd say that the Sega CD does not require the full specs. Every device's power adapter is rated higher than what is actually needed by the device, that just seems to be good practice.

If the OP's power adapter in question is of decent quality, then I'm willing to bet it'll work perfectly fine. But I do agree, if it's running too hot than find another one. At the OP, if you can't tell what's "too hot" then just compare it to another power brick.

Basically the point I was trying to make in my first post. Most things have a design tolerance that exceeds their rated specs.