240V -> 120V Transformers with 240V Sega Saturns... Worked?

Hi everyone,

This is an odd one I came across tonight while testing my various Sega Saturns.

Take one Japanese Saturn, connect to a 240V -> 120V transformer, test for a while, put it aside.
Next, take a 240V PAL Saturn, plug in to figure 8 cable, test, test, test.
Repeat about five times until you get tired.
Head to bed but then realise there is a giant black box transformer attached to that figure 8 cable you have been using...
I plugged a voltage / watt checker to confirm and it is outputting ~120V. I was actually expecting the volt checker to explode.
Especially given it is rated to work on 240V electricity.

Shouldn't my things have blown up the second I switched on the 240V Saturn? Anyone have any insight into this?

Side note: I wasn't able to replicate my previous issue here with the rolling horizontal lines after running two of the units for ~30 minutes and restarting / powering off. Strange?

 

Why would a 240V console blow up if you plug it into 120V? If anything, it's not enough power - nothing will happen! If it works, then it's a dual voltage range PSU.

Likewise, if your multimeter is rated 240V AC, then it will accept voltages UP TO 240V.

 

Search me! I had no idea since I've never had the need for a 120V transformer before.
I figure it can't be good though for the system though right, half the required Volts means something else is double right?
Either that or all these PAL Saturns are actually dual voltage which is just cool.

Ah yes I understand the multimeter ratings, but these Saturns are pretty clear about their voltage requirements on the back of the units.
They don't seem to mention anything near 120V, just 220V-240V 50/60Hz.

Thanks for your response, I'll guess I'll keep plugging away! :congratulatory:

 

I found some pal and asia saturn power board's have 240v -120v marked on them.

 

Got any photos? Mine are of two different designs, haven't tested the really early Model 1 units yet with the PSU stuck to the lid.

 

x

 

Checked and they have the same markings as the ones you described.

Retested them and found that one shows the rolling lines again on 120V as well as 240V, however the other I could not get to show the lines after running on 120V for an extended period of time, but when tested with 240V, after leaving it to cool down, the lines were back. Guess 120V just doesn't stress it out enough or whichever component is breaking just hasn't broken properly yet.

What I don't understand is how can there be issues with anything if the PSU is outputting the correct voltages? I've checked and triple checked the 3.3V, 5V and 9V rails and they are all dandy before and after the rolling lines appear. Guess there's just no saving these PSUs. Unless I never turn them off... Theme Park for EVERYONE! :highly_amused:

 

x

 

You really don't like Theme Park do you?