Shorted Out (?) Super Famicom, Used in US

brainiac9xbrainiac9x
in Help Wanted!
I purchased a Super Famicom with an SCART/SCART to HDMI adapter recently.  Got the system hooked up, plugged in, worked fine.  I used the system for about an hour, had no problems.  I turned it on and off multiple times, inserted and removed 3 or 4 games, had no issues with anything.  The next day I go to play, and the machine won't turn on.  The red power light on the front of the system flicks red for like a fraction of a second, then immediately off.  I tried plugging the AC adapter into different outlets and had the same issue.



I live in the US, and I plugged the Japanese AC adapter directly into a surge protector/wall outlet.  Is it possible I either fried my adapter or Super Famicom?  I purchased another adapter to see if that solves the problem, but seeing as that will take about a week to get here, I figured I would see if anyone else had this issue or had any insight.



Any help would be appreciated!



Thanks!!

Comments

  • arnpolyarnpoly
    I think you may have fried something.



    I'm probably not explaining this correctly, but Japan has a different standard for power than the US and their power adapters are not compatible here. You would need to find a US power adapter with the exact same specifications to properly use your Super Famicom in the US. That is, if you haven't already damaged your system or adapter beyond repair.



    Hopefully someone can chime in with a more detailed answer.
  • brainiac9xbrainiac9x
    Yeah, that was my original thought... Although from reading online and from some other people, most of the replies I got were, "you can use the Japanese adapter in a US plug, no problem."  But to me, it just seems like that would cause problems, but what do I know.



    I just thought it was odd that it worked fine, and nothing odd or funny sounding happened while I was playing, or when I turned it off, or when I tried to turn it on the next day.  It seemed to work fine, then nothing.
  • SinNombreSinNombre
    The input specs for the Japanese super Famicom ac adapter are 100V AC at 50 or 60hz. So it should work fine in a US receptacle. Typically we run at 120V 60hz but if you meter a receptacle you'll often find voltages ranging from 110V-125V. Anyway, you could check your ac adapter if you had a multimeter easily enough to see if it is outputting what it should be. (approx. 10-13V DC).
  • Wicked_SilenceWicked_Silence
    I had a problem with mine. Found out after the fact that Japanese power is pretty constant with very little fluctuation, where US power can rise and fall alot. Our power packs are built to handle this while the Japanese ones are not. I burnt out my power supply when we had a surge and the power input into the home ended up spiking up to about 125-130V. The Japanese power pack was only rated for 110V. I'd check the power pack to make sure its still working properly. If you have a spare, the cord to connect the Super Famicom to the power pack is the same one that is used in an NES system. A Sega power supply model 2103 outputs 10V dc 0.85A which is exactly what the famicom needs. I took the cord off my burnt power supply, opened up the Sega power pack (the bit to take apart systems works for those screws as well), then unsoldered the existing cord and replaced it with the NES power cord. I did that well over a year ago and I have yet to have a problem with the system. I'd also take the system apart and look for any black/brown marks on the motherboard and chips. Its quite possible that somehow, your power spiked and instead of toasting the power pack, it got into the system.



    *Edit - I've also added a pic of the original power supply that came with the Super Famicom so you can compare.  The outputs are identical between both the Sega and the SFC.  One of the few times Nintendo and Sega agreed on anything it appears.*

     
  • IchinisanIchinisan
    Originally posted by: Wicked_Silence



    I had a problem with mine. Found out after the fact that Japanese power is pretty constant with very little fluctuation, where US power can rise and fall alot. Our power packs are built to handle this while the Japanese ones are not. I burnt out my power supply when we had a surge and the power input into the home ended up spiking up to about 125-130V. The Japanese power pack was only rated for 110V. I'd check the power pack to make sure its still working properly. If you have a spare, the cord to connect the Super Famicom to the power pack is the same one that is used in an NES system. A Sega power supply model 2103 outputs 10V dc 0.85A which is exactly what the famicom needs. I took the cord off my burnt power supply, opened up the Sega power pack (the bit to take apart systems works for those screws as well), then unsoldered the existing cord and replaced it with the NES power cord. I did that well over a year ago and I have yet to have a problem with the system. I'd also take the system apart and look for any black/brown marks on the motherboard and chips. Its quite possible that somehow, your power spiked and instead of toasting the power pack, it got into the system.





    One of the Genesis models has a plug that fits the FC/SFC straight-up with no modification.



    I'd want to make sure anyone reading your post doesn't misinterpret it and try to connect an NES plug directly to the SFC. The NES plug outputs AC instead of DC and could ruin it!
  • Wicked_SilenceWicked_Silence
    Yeah, I guess it would be best to clarify that. I've also uploaded a pic of the original power supply that came with the famicom. You can clearly see that it is 100V input, which with our inability to maintain a steady power flow, is not rated to handle the stuff that happens over here.
  • brainiac9xbrainiac9x
    Yeah, so I got the Genesis Model 1 AC adapter yesterday, and the SFC unit works fine.  So I had a bad AC adapter.



    So I guess if anyone else has problems, even though technically the Japanese AC adapters might work at first, I'm guessing there's a pretty good chance the US power outlets/electricity will short them out at some point, if not fairy quickly, as in my case.
  • Wicked_SilenceWicked_Silence
    Good to hear and better to know that even though the Japanese power packs will 'work', your taking a chance that they won't 'work' for long.
  • PikkonPikkon
    I have a famicom adapter that works just fine in the US but you also have to remember these adapters are very old but if they do break most of the time it can be a easy fix.
  • Wicked_SilenceWicked_Silence
    Oh they will work but they will eventually crap out. Its like using the incorrect fluids in a car engine. Yes, they will work for a time but eventually, your engine will seize up. This isn't the first one I've seen burn out on our power, nor will it be the last.
  • nintendo9649nintendo9649
    I wouldn't use the Japanese one in the united states. I know everyone else hates them but I like to use the 3 in 1 adapter by retro bit. everyone claims they "ruin" you system but I have had one since 2011 and been using it regularly in a SFC with absolutely no issues whatsoever.
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