Hello, First post here, but not new to the video game "scene" at all. I have myself a MVS PCB that I plan to consolize, I already have built a supergun which works great but would prefer to stick this MVS PCB in an enclosure and go the consolized route with it. I have seen numerous consolized MVS units and superguns before, most of which seem to utilize an external power supply to drive the units and was wondering if anyone could shed some light onto this for me, perhaps a circuit or consumer product that will work for this application. Thing is, I just don't have the room or desire to utilize a PC/ATX PSU for this application. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
The problem is the high currents on each rail, and the fact that it isn't just one voltage you need. Normal PSUs for old games consoles are usually something like 9V 1.2A. You need a current that is a LOT higher for most arcade PCBs, like 15A on the +5V rail. That said, the MVS manual says it needs 3A or above on the +5V rail and 1A or above on the +12V, so you should be OK with those. Assuming you are using a 1 slot, of course, which is the natural choice for making a console. So, you need a PSU that gives +5V 3A and +12 1A minimum. As a hint, the average (and pretty much lowest) laptop PSU gives out 19V at 3.42A, and costs about £60-100 for an official one, and about £30-50 for those third party jobbies. In other words, an external PSU is going to be EXPENSIVE! Your alternative is an internal PSU a la PlayStation, but it will still be expensive.
Jameco or some place actually makes an external PSU that can provide you with the +5v and +12v you need. However I don't remember much more than that. But such PSU's do exist.
They most certainly do - often they only give 1 or 2 amps, though, and that's not enough. http://www.relec.co.uk/MPE-807 That is overkill, really, but shows you what an internal one would look like. You don't need the -12V, of course, and the rating could easily be much lower on the 5V rail.
Thank you for the replies thus far, though perhaps my wording/description in my initial posting was perhaps misleading or completely erroneous altogether. Reading up on the topic of consolized MVS systems over at the neo-geo.com forums, the "Jameco SC-200" power supply is mentioned again and again and it touted as the best choice for a consolized MVS power supply, though checking the Jameco site for such a product yeilds no results. In all actuality I am looking for an internal power supply "a la Playstation", and get to wondering if perhaps a power supply from a Playstation, Sega Saturn or even a Neo Geo CD would work for this application. Again, any further insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
No, it wouldn't. Nowhere NEAR the current requirement. Plus Saturn uses 9V and 5V, or just 5V in the third version PSU. Jaleco probably stopped selling it a long time ago. And you won't find it because it isn't a Jaleco product. That's like saying I have a Wal-Mart Xbox 360. It was made by Ault: www.slpower.com
Actually seeing a picture of a "Jaleco SC-200" I see now (literally) what they are... and should be able to find a suitable power supply to meet my needs. Damn near lucked out too, had a "external" power supply that provided both +5v and +12v but both only at 2a. Thank you though for the replies and the insight, with this information I should be able to get this project finished up! My next post will be pictures of the completed unit. Thank you.
That's Ault SC200, and you should be able to still get them - they are listed on their page ;-) Yup, 2A is common (external caddies). Got one here. Wouldn't try it! Good luck with the project, will look forward to the pics
