Power Usage

Post by **gannon** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:40 pm

I just checked the draw for the n64s power consumption and here it is.
12V -> 400mAh
3.3V -> 1.33Ah

Also, I found out that the 5V from the 12V line is only used to power the graphics and audio processor. I realized this when I was watching a opening cinematic and the 12V power line got unpluged, but when I pluged it back in the cinematic had already advanced to the opening menu.

Moose Jr. · Post by **Moose Jr.** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:53 pm

Interesting. Mine only drew 125 mA on the 12v line when I used SWE1 Racer. What game were you running?

BTW, Thanks for posting your results. Facts are hard to come by in this hobby.

Post by **gannon** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:53 am

I was running star fox at the time. Also, I believe that game draws will change, especially with games like donkey kong that push the limits of the n64.

someone · Post by **someone** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 8:38 am

ouch! the big draw

Dramlin · Post by **Dramlin** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 2:37 am

thanks for testing out the maH, it helps having factual infomation such as this. In anyones experience has the 12V ever gone over 500ma? I only ask because Im going to be putting a ldo in my 64 but the only one I have laying around is a .5 amp 5v+ regulator.

Just want to make sure it will work on all n64 games before I waste my time installing it.

Thanks a lot to everyone, the information I have gotten from these forums have solved my headaches and my consoles a few times

Post by **gannon** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 3:14 am

I haven't experienced it, but I haven't ran any games that require the expansion pack yet to test it. The 5V line is only for the sound and video processing, so a more complex game shouldn't effect it too much, but I think that it might go over .5A every once in awhile.

Dramlin · Post by **Dramlin** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 9:52 pm

I didn't realize the n64's voltage regulator was the tiny version before I opened it up to start work. And although I only had a large 7805 (similar to what you would find on a snes) I decided to go for it anyways. After all i've got plenty of spares to have fun with.

To anyone who is planning on replacing the regulator I warn you it's pretty well stuck in place

. I ended up heating it up and using pliers to lift it off the board. Needless to say my efforts were in vain and I DID end up damaging the original regulator. I did achive an interesting result though.

Im not exaclty sure why but now my 64 outputs a super bright picture, the screen flickers ever so slightly, slightly off colors (ie, yellow is now sorta green), and oddly the stereo seems to be a little more seperated

.. Has anyone expereinced this oddity before? Its kinda cool lookin

Moose Jr · Post by **Moose Jr** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:57 pm

Sounds like you damaged the board or you've got too much voltage going in. Just a guess.