Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 22

Thread: Genesis AC adapter with the NES

  1. #1
    Pac-Man (Level 10) treismac's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    2,026
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default Genesis AC adapter with the NES

    From what I've scrounged up on the internet, a Genesis AC adapter will work for a NES, BUT a NES adapter should never be used for anything but a NES. Does this sound right?

    Note: I tried to search for a similar thread already in existence about this subject but found nothing. If I missed one, please feel free to pop its link below.

  2. #2
    Alex (Level 15) Custom rank graphic
    Gameguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada)
    Posts
    7,918
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    78
    Thanked in
    70 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by treismac View Post
    From what I've scrounged up on the internet, a Genesis AC adapter will work for a NES, BUT a NES adapter should never be used for anything but a NES. Does this sound right?
    I've never tried it myself but that should be right. An NES is AC current while the Genesis is DC, you can use a DC adapter to power an AC device but you can't use AC current to power a DC device. I believe it's ok to use a Model 1 Genesis adapter, I'm not sure about a Model 2.

  3. #3
    Key (Level 9) Satoshi_Matrix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    1,956
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Satoshi_Matrix

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by treismac View Post
    a Genesis AC adapter will work for a NES, BUT an NES adapter should never be used for anything but a NES.
    This is exactly correct. The NES AC adapter outputs AC voltage, which is neither DC nor does it have polarity. The North American NES is a beast of a console that can be powered by just about anything from 7 to even 12v DC, AC, it doesn't matter. Because the NES can be powered by nearly any power supply under the sun, I don't ever use the NES power supplies I own for fear if I ever accidentally plugged them into something else.
    check out my classic gaming review site: http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/

  4. #4
    ServBot (Level 11) kedawa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    3,429
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    The Genesis AC adapter contains a bridge rectifier, which generates DC power from an AC source.
    With the NES, the bridge rectifier is inside the console, and not the adapter.
    So, when you use the Genesis power adapter with the NES, you have an extra rectifier stage that doesn't serve any purpose, but doesn't cause any harm either, since it doesn't reduce the voltage enough to make a difference to the NES.

  5. #5
    ServBot (Level 11) davidbrit2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Southwest Michigan, USA
    Posts
    3,860
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I've run into problems trying to power an NES with a DC supply. Volume would be very low, and muffled by a pronounced buzzing sound, and certain games wouldn't work totally correctly (as though the mapper chip was malfunctioning). I switched to the standard 9VAC supply and all was well again.

  6. #6
    16-bits, yo Custom rank graphic
    BlastProcessing402's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,281
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    I ran my NES toaster for years with my Gen Model 1 power supply.

    I tried the NES power supply on the Gen once, which was stupid, but I was young and didn't know better. It didn't fry it, but it didn't work.

    My sister had an NES (also a toaster) but hers was a never version, with a textured top (mine was smooth) and IIRC the Gen power supply didn't work on that one.

  7. #7
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Rickstilwell1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    2,802
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    TheGameCollector

    Default

    My ex stepdad used to have a keyboard where using the NES adapter he had was fine with it.
    [quote name='Shidou Mariya' date='Nov 17 2010, 10:05 PM' post='4889940']
    I'm a collector, but only to a certain extent.
    Not as extreme as Rickstilwell though.[/quote]


  8. #8
    Cherry (Level 1) obesolete's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Toronto, ON
    Posts
    237
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I accidentally fried a nes adapter by plugging it in to a genesis.

    In my defense, the room was dark and they're about the same size, my 50/50 chance just happened to not work in my favor.

    The Gen was okay, the adapter,...er... not so much, =(
    Closet Monsters: Custom and Retro Game Plushies Obesolete.etsy.com

  9. #9
    Alex (Level 15) Custom rank graphic
    Gameguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada)
    Posts
    7,918
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    78
    Thanked in
    70 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by obesolete View Post
    I accidentally fried a nes adapter by plugging it in to a genesis.

    In my defense, the room was dark and they're about the same size, my 50/50 chance just happened to not work in my favor.

    The Gen was okay, the adapter,...er... not so much, =(
    Usually it works the other way, the adapter would damage the Genesis instead of the adapter failing.

  10. #10
    16-bits, yo Custom rank graphic
    BlastProcessing402's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,281
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    Yeah, I got really lucky that my Genesis didn't get fried. I did fry a portable radio by trying the NES adapter with it, though. At least in retrospect I think that's what I did, at the time I just thought the radio broke so I returned it to the store and got Kid Icarus with the refund.

  11. #11
    ServBot (Level 11) MarioMania's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    3,499
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Can the AV Famicom run off the Genesis AC??

  12. #12
    Pac-Man (Level 10) theclaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,217
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    theclaw135
    PSN
    Eonclaw

    Default

    It should.

    I believe (though can't confirm or by any means guarantee!) from its ratings a US Gen 1 AC might also be safe for, if the plug were to fit, among stuff I may have overlooked:
    Famicom
    AV Famicom
    Super Famicom
    US SNES 1 or 2
    Korea SNES
    US/PAL/JPN Master System 1 or 2
    US/PAL/JPN Sega CD 1 or 2
    JPN/PAL Megadrive 1
    JPN/PAL Game Gear
    SG-1000 1 or 2
    Mark III
    Lum fan.

  13. #13
    Cherry (Level 1) Pikkon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    The Sunshine State
    Posts
    248
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Yes,its safe to use a Genesis model 1 psu on a Av Fami.

  14. #14
    Pretzel (Level 4)
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    819
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by davidbrit2 View Post
    I've run into problems trying to power an NES with a DC supply. Volume would be very low, and muffled by a pronounced buzzing sound, and certain games wouldn't work totally correctly (as though the mapper chip was malfunctioning). I switched to the standard 9VAC supply and all was well again.
    It could be that part of the rectifier is weak. Otherwise It shouldn't happen. I had to use a spare genesis model 1 adapter for years because the original one was missing, never damaged anything.

  15. #15
    Apple (Level 5) xelement5x's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Southwest US
    Posts
    1,052
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Let me be one more person to say it's perfectly fine. I run my junker NES with a Genesis Model 1 power supply all the time. I've never had an issue with it, and it saves me from having to dig out a separate adapter each time.

  16. #16
    Pac-Man (Level 10) theclaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,217
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    theclaw135
    PSN
    Eonclaw

    Default

    Wait I forgot Virtual Boy. Since it uses the SNES power ratings, Gen 1 would be likely safe there too.
    Lum fan.

  17. #17
    ServBot (Level 11) MarioMania's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    3,499
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    I found 2 AC adapter from Radio Shack

    1. is

    Input: 120V AC 60Hz 12W
    Output: 9V DC 800mA

    2.

    Input: 120V AC 60Hz 15W
    Output: 9V DC 800mA

    Will both Run the NES no problem?

  18. #18
    ServBot (Level 11) kedawa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    3,429
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Provided they have the correct connector, either one will do.

  19. #19
    Peach (Level 3) Breetai's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Was in Tokyo, now in Canada
    Posts
    717
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Firebomber7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by theclaw View Post
    It should.

    I believe (though can't confirm or by any means guarantee!) from its ratings a US Gen 1 AC might also be safe for, if the plug were to fit, among stuff I may have overlooked:
    Famicom
    AV Famicom
    Super Famicom
    US SNES 1 or 2
    Korea SNES
    US/PAL/JPN Master System 1 or 2
    US/PAL/JPN Sega CD 1 or 2
    JPN/PAL Megadrive 1
    JPN/PAL Game Gear
    SG-1000 1 or 2
    Mark III
    You forgot:
    Turbografx-16
    PC Engine
    Japanese Game Gear

  20. #20
    NES Collector rewindtimegames's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Posts
    31
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    You can pick these up on eBay for less than $6. I have only used it on a Super Nintendo, but the box says it is compatible with NES, SNES, and Genesis 1

Similar Threads

  1. FS: Genesis 2 S-Video adapter
    By Shou in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-15-2011, 10:44 PM
  2. Is it ok to use a snes rf adapter with a genesis?
    By rlemmon in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10-20-2010, 04:30 PM
  3. LF: Snes power adapter , genesis model 1 adapter
    By Sega_Naomi in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-19-2009, 12:45 PM
  4. Can a Genesis power adapter be used on a NES?
    By Simply Dave in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 09-11-2007, 06:34 AM
  5. What is this for, SNES to Genesis adapter?
    By 50TBRD in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 09-19-2006, 10:54 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •