Do You Leave Your Retro Consoles/TV Plugged In?

[Jagosaurus]

I typically unplug my retro systems. Something in me tells me it could be a fire hazard to have 30 year old electronics plugged in 24/7, much less multiple old systems in one power strip. Then again, I use a 20 year old alarm clock & think nothing of it lol.

Also, CRTs pull a good bit of power so I typically leave my set unplugged. But also the "old" factor also comes in here as well.

Any one else do this? Also, I heard mixed opinions on how "healthy" this is for the consoles. I've heard it's rough to have the components be hot & cold repetitively. Some parts need a charge then & again to properly hold info IIRC.

What about about your systems that aren't "old" but are getting there. A near 15 year old PS2 isn't a spring chicken any more. Time to add your oXbox, PS2, CGN to that list?

Is it a waste of time, is it safer/less of a fire hazard, is bad on systems, is it better for systems... thoughts?

[ninjainspandex]

I have mine plugged into an outlet that I can flip off and with a lightswitch

[mjmjr25]

Once I plug in systems they stay plugged in unless i'm moving it to a different room. My TV's have been plugged in since we moved in - 7 years now.

Age has very little to do with it. It is more the abuse and the way the wires and whatnot have been positioned. So long as your cords aren't creased and bent at odd angles the cabling and sheathing should hold up with no issues.

If anything you are damaging the AC input, etc by plugging in and out all the time. Sounds like you might be overthinking it.

[ninjainspandex]

well I'd be more concerned about wasting energy than starting a fire, thats where power strips are nice. I think they make ones with a remote on off switch, I've seen them before.

[CRTGAMER]

The only problem with a Power Strip especially when there are a lot of consoles plugged in is the surge kicking everything on at once. I suppose the Power Strips could be broken up so only a few are kicked on at a time, but each would need a dedicated wall outlet.

I just leave all mine hot plugged in. Though it has not been brought up yet in this Thread, there is a greater damage risk unplugging the video and audio cords, especially if a SVideo cable.

I especially will NEVER unplug my WEGA HD CRT due to the risk of blowing the power detection chips inside. Only a twenty dollar repair, but a very detailed solder job though less so for me after installing chip sockets.

[Tanooki]

Yes I do, and don't. Once I got the Retron5 the the modded top loader nes was put up in a plastic case and the snes to the DK Super Set box it came out of but they were wired up. The Gamecube is still connected but rarely used, more so since the R5 popped up making the GB Player redundant but not for sale as I don't trust the R5 to last that long. I did have the N64 on a CRT, but it's boxed up for now.

I doubt an old system would be that big of a fire hazard, but I suppose they could. I just know the NES and SNES have a fuse on the board, so if something goes nuts they pop.

[mjmjr25]

Do we know how much power is truly drawn? I mean - I have to think the kilowatt hours may not even be measurable.

We leave everything plugged in and our power bill is $40 in the summer (when we aren't using heat at all). Something tells me that the $40 is from lights on, using stove, fridge, hot water, etc. I'm not going to unplug the appliances, or alarm clocks when not using them - so lets's say I unplugged my TV's and systems (or got an auto-off power switch) - I doubt you would see any difference on your bill whatsoever.

EDIT: just googled this. Tech Geek says if you leave a charger or similar device in for a month and never use it - it would add about $0.15 to your bill for the month. A TV or DVD would be 2-5x more depending on model and whatnot. Again, this is 100% wasted energy (ie, you didn't use it the entire month). Thing is...I don't not use anything for a month. So, I suppose if you cut power to all of your TV / DVD / Consoles you might save $1-3 a month. I suppose in the end that's a good thing...but not something i'm going to worry about right now.

[Xeogred]

EDIT: just googled this. Tech Geek says if you leave a charger or similar device in for a month and never use it - it would add about $0.15 to your bill for the month. A TV or DVD would be 2-5x more depending on model and whatnot. Again, this is 100% wasted energy (ie, you didn't use it the entire month). Thing is...I don't not use anything for a month. So, I suppose if you cut power to all of your TV / DVD / Consoles you might save $1-3 a month. I suppose in the end that's a good thing...but not something i'm going to worry about right now.

Huh, interesting stuff for sure.

What about TV's in standby mode? It irks me that my roommate always has his on standby if he's not using it.

[marurun]

Most older consoles used linear adapters instead of switching adapters, so they are inefficient when in-use as well. If you are OK with multi-adapters, get switching ones.

[KalessinDB]

It's not intentionally a fire or power thing for me, more a matter of how my systems are set up, but I too am on the unplug bandwagon mostly

I have a 36" wega that stays plugged in, with all the standard cords (composite, component, s-video) plugged into the back. When I decide to play a system, I plug it in to the wall and either connect the cords to it (most of my retro systems have been modded to get rid of proprietary cords) or if necessary I have male-male connectors for the handful I haven't gotten to standardized plugs yet.

My living room TV keeps the most modern systems in my collection (WiiU, PS3, 360) hooked up and plugged in.