Is it safe to keep using my PAL Mega Drive adapter on my US SNES?

ShinigamiKibaShinigamiKiba
in Gamer's Gauntlet
So today I finally got a US SNES as I posted in my Finders Keepers hauls topic and the system works beautifully, it didn't come with a power adapter but I read it was safe to use a PAL Mega Drive model 1 adapter which thankfully I have...and use often on my Mega Drive.



Now the thing doesn't fit quite perfectly in the SNES and slight movement and such makes it lose contact but once you fit it in there and let the system sit still it's fine. Still I can't help but be wary of this, US SNES' seem quite expensive and I got this one and a bunch of non SNES games for a few NES games I didn't like...so wow couldn't have asked for a better deal.



It plays all my SFC games

it plays all my US SNES games



I didn't break the plastic pegs off since I have this adapter thing and in combination with my Final Fight 2 which is US it booted every SFC game I threw at it perfectly

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I absolutely can not wait for Cotton 100% to arrive in the mail...I LOVE that game

Also I plan on buying DoReMi fantasy soon but it's quite pricy so I'm hoping to find it for less than $60 if at all possible 

Now I can finally collect more SFC games without worrying if they'd work on my PAL SNES or not, but I don't want to break this US SNES by using the wrong adapter.



Also IF the power jack/port on the SNES does end up breaking somehow, can it be easily fixed? I'm terrible at electronics and such but i have friends who fix stuff for a living so...



edit: In the topic description I mentioned where I live simply because I think there's a difference in the power in the UK and the rest of Europe and when I say I'm from Europe people usually assume the UK for some reason so I felt I needed to clarify.



I know the UK uses different plugs, I could be wrong on the power voltage being different tho

Comments

  • ShinigamiKibaShinigamiKiba
    Sorry for bumping this guys, I'm not familiar with the rules for bumping here

    but I really need to know so I don't break the thing, importing a US SNES to Macedonia would cost me an arm and a leg and I'd rather spend that money on some games instead
  • alekxalekx
    typically 24 hours is suggested for bumping, why would it not be safe?
  • ShinigamiKibaShinigamiKiba
    Many reasons, difference in electricity for once sure the adapter says it uses the same voltage or whatever but it IS an adapter for a different system, a PAL SNES Adapter would fry the entire SNES for example since it's stronger and this is a US system.

    I feel the SEGA power supply/jack doesn't go in quite so good, so if the pin isn't designed to go into the system I worry it might cause problems down the line.

    maybe the jack on the back of the SNES is a tad messed up? I wouldn't know I've never seen a US SNES before or maybe the Mega Drive Model 1 adapter is indeed slightly different so while it does work it needs to be pushed in just right to maintain contact.
  • ShinigamiKibaShinigamiKiba
    I noticed the reason the adapter doesn't stand firmly in the jack is because the jack is broken, the plastic thing is missing

    Problem is since finding a US SNES in my PAL country is difficult and importing one is too expensive I don't want to mess this one up



    I see this is a common issue and they sell replacement back panels

    http://www.amazon.com/Super-Nintendo-Power-Input-Replacement-Hyperkin/dp/B005RRRYOQ

    Naturally I can't buy this from Amazon as they refuse to ship ANYTHING video game related to my country for some reason but I'll figure something out if I do decide to gt one



    I'm not a tech savvy guy and I'm terrible with electronics and understand little when it comes to this stuff. IF I choose to buy a replacement back panel would it involve soldering and unsoldering of components? I don't want to risk damaging this system in any way and if it's not bad for the system I don't mind using it as is with the broken jack but if you guys think further damage could be done to the SNES like this I might cave and buy a replacement panel.



    A youtube video I found said that you need to first unsolder some stuff from the mobo itself, then solder it back on, I don't feel comfortable with this and the people I know who are handy with electronics have no experience with video game consoles nor do they understand English well enough to follow a guide.



    I'm sorry about the long post, but I absolutely must know.

    - Is it safe for the system to run with the broken/missing plastic of the pwoer port

    - If not, how risky would replacing the whole back panel be?



    Here's what my port looks like, again I can play for hours just fine

    played quite a lot today with no problems whatsoever

    image

    image
  • BingoRingoBingoRingo
    The SNES indicates 10 volts DC, 850 milliamps, so if your other adapter gives the same or slightly more, it will work. If you give more voltage and amps you may end up damaging the SNES. If you send less amperage it may work but have glitches or issues with your controllers. For example I bought a cheap one and the game would pause randomly, because after a while I noticed that "B" was sending "start" to the console. I solved the problem after I noticed the wire was cut inside the jacket near the adapter. I cut it and resoldered to the adapter's board and haven't had any issue since.



    For the pin itself if it works, it works. Except for risking resetting the console by accident it should not be too problematic.
  • ShinigamiKibaShinigamiKiba
    Thanks so much

    glad I don't need to fiddle with the AC jack then, works great
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