Console/Screen Voltage and mA Guide

Do you have a technical question that doesn't really fit a specific console? Want some general info on electronics, hacking, making cookies, etc? Here's the place to ask! Go nuts.

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Mario
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Console/Screen Voltage and mA Guide

Post by Mario »

Here is a guide to the voltages that many common game consoles use (Specifically, the ones highlighted in the forums listed under "Console Projects"), along with links to pages that tell you how to get those voltages from common batteries. I'll also try to find pin guides for you, too. (May add other common consoles as time goes by/people request them)

Also added screens section! 9/3/08
Added battery life. These measures are for a 5,500 mAh battery and a LED modded PS1 screen with volume @ 50%. 10/1/08
Updated N64 current draw and battery life. 01/04/09

Consoles

Atari 2600: 9v in, goes to a 5v regulator.
Here is a topic that explains that: (Pic)
viewtopic.php?t=1155
Current draw: 450mA
Approximate battery life: 6 hours


Dreamcast: 3.3v, 5v, and 12v.
Here is a battery diagram: (READ IT ALL!)
http://portablesofdoom.org/images/dconb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... dagain.gif
Current draw: Use a PicoPSU. The power source for it must be 12v and able to supply 3.25A.
Approximate battery life: 1.5 hours

FC Twin: The SNES half takes 5v.
Current draw: SNES Half: 290mA
Approximate battery life: 7.5 hours

Gamecube: Uses 1.9v, 3.3v, 5v, and 12v.
Here is Skyone's regulator diagrams: (Second post)
viewtopic.php?t=22595&start=30
Current draw: 1.9v line: 2.3A. 3.3v line: 900mA. 5v line: 400mA. 12v line: 5mA
For the newer ones, the original power board only draws 1.5A total. (thanks hailrazer)
Approximate battery life: 1.5 hours (2.75 hours for the newer one)

Genesis: 9v in, goes to a 5v regulator.
Here is a voltage pinout:
http://img470.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pinout3wy.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Current draw: 200mA (thanks, sam_thornley)
Approximate battery life: 8.5 hours

Nintendo 8-Bit: 9v goes in, goes to a 5v regulator.
Here is a picture explaining that:
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 010338.jpg
Current draw: 650mA
Approximate battery life: 5 hours

Nintendo 64: 3.3v and 12v, the latter going to a 7805.
Here is an excellent wiring diagram for that:
viewtopic.php?t=14555
Current draw: 3.3v line: 1.10A for the jumper pack, 1.25A with the expansion pack. 12v line: 110mA
Approximate battery life with jumper pack: 2.5 hours
Approximate battery life with expansion pack: 2 hours

PSone: Takes 7.2-12v in, goes to a 5v regulator.
[No pic yet, but this should be fairly easy to hook up.]
Current draw: 600mA (thx hailrazer)
Approximate battery life: 5.2 hours

PS2 Slim: 8.5 volts, DOES NOT go to a regulator.
Check Aguiluz's post right below on how to get 8v from 2x 7805s. Just one by itself does not provide the amps needed. (Thanks to Skyone and bicostp.)
Current draw: Model v12: 2.9A. Model v13: 2.5A
Approximate battery life for model v12: 1.6 hours
Approximate battery life for model v13: 1.8 hours

Radica: 6v
Current draw: 60mA
Approximate battery life: 10.5 hours

Retro Duo: Both halves use 5v. Don't know the draw yet for NES side.
Current draw: SNES half: 290mA
Approximate battery life: 7.5 hours

Super Nintendo 16-Bit (Mini): 9v in, goes to a 5v regulator.
Here is a pinout picture:
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/uti" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 154,00.jpg
Pin 1 on the regulator is at least 7.5v IN. Pin two is ground, and is connected to pin two on the regulator. Pin three is 5v IN, this is connected to pin three on the regulator.
Current draw: 550mA
Approximate battery life: 5.5 hours

Wii: Uses 12v.
No wiring diagram yet, sorry. :(

PS3, XBOX, and XBOX360 (hopefully) coming soon!

Screens

Hip Gear Screen: Takes 9v in from wall adapter, goes to a 7808 (8v regulator).
Here is a useful thread explaining how to hook up A/V:
viewtopic.php?t=1446
Current draw: 200ma @ 8v

PS1/Zenith Screen: Runs on a minimum of 7v, 8.5 max.
Here is how to hook up A/V and power, also answers other misc. screen questions:
viewtopic.php?t=2278
Current draw: 700ma unmodified, 400ma after LED mod. Audio amp adds another 100ma at full volume while playing heavy bass.


LISTEN UP: Please feel free to post corrections to this thread! If some information is incorrect, or a link is broken, post about it and I will be more that happy to fix it! Also, if you think something should be added, please post about that, too! Help me make this thread better.
Last edited by Mario on Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:04 pm, edited 28 times in total.
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

Ack! It won't show my post! Anyone know why?!? :(

EDIT: Ah, nevermind, got it to work. :wink:
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Aguiluz
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Re: Voltage Guide for Consoles (Here it is!)

Post by Aguiluz »

Worth a sticky. :)
Mario wrote:Playstation 1 32-Bit: Takes 7.2-7.5v in, DOES NOT go to regulator.
[No pic yet, but this should be fairly easy to hook up.]
There is a mini-7805 surface-mounted on the PS1's circuit board.
PS2 Slim: 8.5 volts, DOES NOT go to a regulator.
Here is Bic's page on how to get 8v from a 7805:
http://bicostp.portablesofdoom.org/Articles/8v7805/
Nope. That won't work. The 7805 can't handle the amps. If you did try, the PS2 will boot to the ball of light thing, but stall when inserting a game.

Here is a modified version of the diagram that I have personally made and tested. Hope you don't mind, Skyone and bicostp? :P

Image
EDIT: New site is on doppel.exofire.net

I basically paralleled two 7805s. It works! Be sure to heatsink it.

Thread:
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... 5&start=15

Pictures:

Image

Image

(Click for bigger version.)
Last edited by Aguiluz on Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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vskid
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Post by vskid »

Amp draw would be a good thing to add, since getting the voltage right is only half the battle. I've seen many posts asking how many amps "x" system draws. It also allows you to estimate how long your batteries will last.
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ShockSlayer
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Post by ShockSlayer »

vskid wrote:Amp draw would be a good thing to add, since getting the voltage right is only half the battle. I've seen many posts asking how many amps "x" system draws. It also allows you to estimate how long your batteries will last.
And while your there find the psone screens!

SS
http://twitter.com/ShockSlayer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

Thanks Aguiluz for the info and sticky recommendation!

Thanks Skyone and bicostp for the great diagram!

Added:
- Current draw for most systems, still need to do Wii, PS3, XBOX, and XBOX360.
- PS1/Zenith screen info! Yay!
- Gamegear screen! Double yay!

I'm out of time for today, will add more tomorrow!
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mothatrucka
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Post by mothatrucka »

I'm pretty much certain the Genesis 2 wall adapter is 9V. The same adapter is used in the Game Gear, and I know for a fact that's straight up 9V.
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

Thanks for the info. Fixed those two items.
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grahf
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Post by grahf »

This is a really great idea for a thread! This information is super useful when trying to decide on battery capacity and such.

I can add that the FC Twin SNES side draws 290mAh @ 5v. I have pics to confirm, but you guys can trust me 8) .
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Aguiluz
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Post by Aguiluz »

My Playstation 2 Slim is a model SCPH-79001.

It takes 8.5V @ 4.5A according to the stickers on the system and adaptor.
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

grahf wrote:This is a really great idea for a thread! This information is super useful when trying to decide on battery capacity and such.

I can add that the FC Twin SNES side draws 290mAh @ 5v. I have pics to confirm, but you guys can trust me 8) .
FC Twin? Is that pretty much just a Retro Duo? Or are they different?

Thanks for the new info, by the way. :)
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Life of Brian
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Post by Life of Brian »

Mario wrote:FC Twin? Is that pretty much just a Retro Duo? Or are they different?
The FC Twin came before the Retro Duo. They are similar, but internal circuitry and compatibility is different.
dragonhead wrote:sweet. ive spent a third of my life on benheck!
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

Bumpdate: Added the Retro Duo and alphabetized the consoles/screens! Hooray! Now you have to search for 5 seconds less to find what you're looking for. :P

Still need:
-Current draw for Retro Duo (NES half) and Wii
-PS3, XBOX, and XBOX360 info
-Wiring diagrams for Retro Duo, FC Twin, Wii, and PS1.

If anybody has any of this info, please post it!

Also, a big thanks to everybody who has contributed so far!
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bacteria
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Post by bacteria »

PSone screen - 700mA unmodded, I tested it recently. Also, minimum is (on mine anyway) 6.9v

Anyone know details on the PS2 phat Joytech 8" screen? Got one recently - you get a white screen but audio at 7.5v or 9v; at 12v the screen works - experimented earlier.
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Mario
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Post by Mario »

Still need these things, also just a bump because this isn't getting any attention. >_>
-Current draw for Retro Duo (NES half) and Wii
-PS3, XBOX, and XBOX360 info
-Wiring diagrams for Retro Duo, FC Twin, Wii, and PS1.
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