What power strips do you guys recommend for retro consoles?

So I've got an issue. I've got a lot of retro game consoles now, and I need a power strip in order to plug them all in. Problem is, many of them are American and Japanese models. This is a problem because:
1) I'm Australian, I cannot buy power strips suitable for American and Japanese power plugs locally
2) Many of my consoles use big fat transformer plugs (why you guys didn't put the transformer in the middle of the cord like ours, I'll never know), which makes plugging them all into one power strip challenging

Do you guys have any recommendations on what power strip would be suitable for me? I've seen one called "Quirky Pivot Power" which would be great, since each outlet can take a bulky transformer, and it's also bendable, so it would fit neatly on the corner of my TV stand. Problem is, no matter where I look to buy it, shipping is absurdly expensive, I'm talking $40+ for something worth $30 or so. Unless someone can give me advice on aquring one of these at a cheaper rate, I think I'm going to need to look elsewhere. So, what power strip would you guys recommend? I need at least 6 ports, and at least 4 of them need to able able to take a bulky transformer without blocking any of the other ports.

*EDIT* Ooooh! ThinkGeek sell those Quirky Pivot Power power strips, and their shipping is $18! Well anyway, I'll still take recommendations and see what you guys think.

 

I'd replace as many American and Japanese transformers you can, with the local equivalent. Free up space on your power converter for consoles who more seriously need it.

 

Well, in a few cases, there's no equivalent power adapter (i.e the NTSC SNES has a completely different shaped plug that's unique to that console). Also, i kinda like using the original hardware

 

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/nintendo/snes-power.htm

 

Thanks for the link Bad_Ad, but I've already gone to the effort of importing a genuine Nintendo AC adapter and I would like to keep using it

 

Actually those huge 6 strip power surge protectors are great by Belkin. Lot's of space. However they are a pretty penny. Just for a 2 strip it's $50 so :/
I have the same problem as you, I do end up using UK adapters anyway they're a lot more slim too. Other suggest is get some double adapters and plug them in side by side on the strip, they all fit that way

 

The convertor would allow you to use a genuine nintendo one (but a AUS one)

 

You shouldn't plug in all your consoles at once. Is it really such as chore to plug in the power supply for the one console you are playing? It would be a nightmare if I had to try to plug in all my consoles at once. I will give you that the big power bricks on the end is annoying but mainly for Sega Megadrive + Sega CD + Sega 32X. 3 bricks to plug in at once. But they do make power strips that can fit that. Or they used to make them. I have one by IBM.

 

Doesn't the AUS nintendo adapter output AC, and would fry an NTSC SNES?

 

The rectifier before the regulator sorts that out, as I remember.

I use a DC PSU on my PAL SNES just fine.

Dont take it as gospel as its from memory. I know the PAL consoles have the rectifier, not 100% about the US ones.

 

Really, I have no idea why power strips aren't all built to accommodate bulky plugs in every socket. So many devices have them, and it seems like a design flaw that your power strip can't accommodate them. As far as I know, the Quirky Pivot Power is the only power strip that has enough room.

I appreciate the advice, but I've already gone to the trouble and expensive of buying step-down converters, American and Japanese AC adapters, seems wasteful to now discard them And I don't really mind having them, the only issue is power strips, but it seems like the Quirky Pivot Power would be good for me, unless there's one better suited for my purposes.

Yeah, it's kind annoying to have to change plugs every time I want to play a different console, plus it would involve pulling the cords out from behind the TV (I've kinda got everything tucked away neatly behind it).

 

Learning has its ups and downs. Now you're wiser about when it's a good idea to pay the steep postage on AC adapters. :friendly_wink:

 

What are you using to get 110VAC (from our 240vac) for these? A step down transformer or are these the 3rd party power supplies that accept 110-240v? I end up making my own power supplies, as I need them. The power supplies I get from Soanarplus are a nice narrow size and are rated to suit the majority of retro consoles.

Here is a pic of a US SNES package I done up for a mate a while ago. Power supply is resting next to console.



When I buy consoles from overseas I ask that they not send the power supply (except in US SNES case). If they do and I can use the lead (typically I use the above power supply or similar and just swap the tip over) I dismantle the power supply swap the lead over. I then discard the power supplies "guts" and use the main part of the empty case as a screw holder, ie when I dismantle the consoles, I chuck all the screws, springs etc into the *now little container. I do this because as you well know, shipping BACK out of Australia would cost more than it's worth.

 

Yep, AVGN even ranted about it.

 

I use one APC P11VT3 for almost all my console. It has 6 outlet for big wall adapter and 5 outlet for regular cord for a total of 11 outlet.
http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=P11VT3

I have all my wall adapter (atari 7800, famicom, FDS, Genesis, SEGA CD, 32X) on one and it fit perfect without trouble and then use the remaining outlet for the other system which has regular plug (PCE, Saturn, N64, PS2, Dreamcast)

Only my Wii is out of the gang plugged with the AV stuff..

Try to buy one of those power strip on eBay and them plug it on your step down converter. Japanese system PSU has no problem running at 120v btw.

 

Also if you have a Mega Drive-32X-CD combo make up your own single power supply as like this http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showth...Mega-Drive-II-Sega-CD-amp-32X-all-with-1-plug

 

I'm using a step-down converter. It's 240v to 110v, I know that's not quite the 100v that Japan uses, but everything I read said this won't hurt the console, it will only run a little warmer.

Ha, I'm refurbishing a SNES for a friend too! Though it's a PAL SNES, though I am doing up some NTSCs for eBay.[/QUOTE]

DarthCloud: That's a pretty sweet power strip! Is it really bulky? I'm short on room, which is why the bendy Quirky looks appealing to me. I could possibly zip tie it to my console stand though...

 

You can get a Commercial Power Strip which has space between each plug. Or get multiple regular power strips and just plug them in series. Plug either set into a surge protecter. Since all the consoles will not be on at the same time no problem of exceeding the amps. Mount under the table out of the way.

 

Do they have anything like that that's a bit more compact? That's pretty long considering it only has 6 outlets vs 11 outlets on the one DarthCloud posted

 

I use a powerstrip that has extra plugs along the side specifically to accomodate large ac adapters