Sega CD - What power adapter do I need?

I have acquired a Sega CD Model 2, and a Model 2 Genesis to go with it. I have the power adapter for the Genesis, but not the Sega CD.

I have googled extensively, and while I know the Power Adapter is 9 Volts 1.2 Amps, some sources say center negative, some sources say center positive.

So I'm thinking of going to Radioshack or Best Buy or something tomorrow on my free time, to get a generic AC Adapter...

... but I don't know what generic AC Adapter to ask for.

Is it center negative, or center positive? Do you just ask for a 9V 1.2 Amp Power adapter? What do I need to get?

 

Checked on the underside of the unit? There should be a little diagram there.

 

The underside of the unit just says 9V 1.2 Amp. But I don't know if it's center positive or center negative, and it doesn't say.

I have a 1.3 amp 9v AC Adapter that fits it, but I know nothing about electricity, so I don't want to fuck up.

 

It's center negative. Same PSU as the Genesis Model 1. 9V, DC, 1.2amps, Center Negative. By contrast the Genesis Model 2 and Sega 32X use a 10V 850ma Center Positive. Obviously do not use a Genesis Model 2 oe Sega 32X Power adapter on your Sega CD.

And to be clear, i used my Sega CD with the exact adapter I describe (Genesis Model 1 type) which I'm pretty sure is the kind that was included in the box when new. At the very least though it works perfectly and never gave me any trouble.

 

Awesome, mate. Thanks!

So, tomorrow, I go to Radioshack and ask for a 1.2 amp 9v DC Center Negative adapter?

 

If you are looking for a Sega Genesis 1 AC Adapter, Radio Shack has the exact model. It's been years, but I remember when I bought mine, the box has "Sega" written on it, and the adapter is white.

 

9 Volts
1.2 Amps (this is a minimum. if you find a 1.5 then get it. it'll still work)
negative center

expect to pay a lot for it. like maybe $20 (USA) if you go to radioshack.

 

I think you can just get a generic AC adapter where you can change polarity (isn't that how they solve every problem in Star Trek?), I know I've got one of those. 9 volts is a pretty unusual voltage, IIRC, but my Mega CD has run fine on 12, the amperage is the important thing.

 

I don't think you could use a Genesis 2 or 32x adaptor with the SCD2 even if you wanted to because the ends are different and don't fit (at least this is the case with my PAL units).

 

Do not use a higher voltage than 9v. Doing so just makes the voltage regulator work harder, making more heat, causes more wear on the internal components. Higher amperage provided by the power supply is fine and even good as it means the power supply has more capacity and isn't being worked as hard.

 

so as long as it is 9 volts, it can be 1.2 to about 1.5 amps, center negative, output direct current, and it will cost close to twenty dollars.

Well, the price certainly sucks - but let's see if Garlo's adapter model is still around. We are, after all, in the same country, but his city is much cooler.

 

REVERSE THE POLARITY!!!

(For some reason, I thought of Eric Cartman dressed in Star Trek TNG garb, yelling REVAARSE MY POLAARITEEEH!)

 

Well, fuck me.

I went to RadioShit and Home Depot AND my local mom-and-pop hardware store, and the best universal AC to DC adapter they have is a 9 or 12 volt 1 amp. 1 amp is useless for this, right? Nobody I went to sells anything higher than 1 amp.

Radioshit actually does, but they nickel-and-dime you - they sell the adapter and tip separately, 20-30 dollars for the adapter, 4 dollars for the tip. The Home Depot one has multiple voltages and tips for 15 dollars... but it's 1 amp.

Will try specialised electronics stores tomorrow.

 

a 1 amp might actually work.

 

We are talking a 200ma difference. So you might be ok with 1 amp. And that's just going off what one power adapter outputs. The Sega CD may never draw that much from it.

 

The tip actually should come free with the adaptor from radioshack, I don't recall the actual code for it tho.. iirc it's PLUG99 under price change in their POS system.

 

this is true. i worked at a radio shack for several years and tips were always free when you bought a power supply. however. back then we had a 9v 1.5a for $20 with a free M tip. that would have done it. but yeah. i doubt the unit will try and draw 1.2 amps.

 

Maybe you can ask them to order for you the adapter:

SKU 273-1612

http://support.radioshack.com/support_supplies/doc32/32783.htm

Image: http://www.markdownalley.com/products/91.jpg

 

A student said he would give me the adapter to his old Genesis 1 and he stood me up.

So I went to Radioshit, and in fact, I bought exactly this, and they gave me my "M" tip for free.

... and the Sega CD doesn't start with it.
Good thing I obtained the machine from someone I know, and who is readily available in my city, so I phoned him and I'm getting a new machine this Sunday at the antiques swap meet. Weird place to get a Sega CD, huh?