Hi there; I recently bought a SEGA-brand Wondermega. It came without any AC adapter. The only info I could find on the system itself is that it's needing 9,5V but what's with ampere ? I've been digging through the web and found quite a few people with very different, contradicting opinions on what's recommend. I've read that it would work with a Genesis 2 AC adapter (10V / 0,8A) but I am sure that the guy had an X'EYE (or maybe the Japanese Wondermega Model 2) in mind. Others claimed that it would need 1,2 - 1,5A. As you can imagine I am pretty confused and I don't want to damage the system by randomly trying out some AC adapters. Does anyone actually know the exact values that I should look for when buying a multi AC adapter ? Thanks in advance, -Chris
The current rating on adapters is the minimum the transformer can supply, an adapter with a larger current rating cannot damage your console, using an underrated supply however might. Usually you can push adapters a bit more than they're rated for. That said, since the console itself uses 7805 regulators, and 7805 can safely regulate like 7-16V input at 1A, I would find a common 9V adapter rated for 1A+, the higher the current rating the better. The higher the voltage, the more heat is dissipated and energy is wasted, so try if you can to find a 9V, it's better than the standard 10V. I would be surprised if you could find a used adapter which isn't 5-20% over it's rated spec anyways. Lastly you NEED to make sure you're using the correct polarity for the console, and that your AC adapter outputs DC and not AC because the console probably doesn't have protection against these cases.
If you're sourcing in the west, then you need Sega part MK-4122 or JVC part AA-S95J. But like Calpis said, anything reasonably close will do since Sega has made their power inputs idiot-proof. If you're going to go with a third-party equivalent, you want DC output with a positive tip and negative sheath and at least 1.2 Amps. Oh hey, Sega Parts seems to have the right item. Check this link: http://www.leftcoastgames.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=99
I think the Sega 32X uses something similar. I'm pretty certain the 32X is center positive and either 9v or 10v. Not sure on the amps.
The answer is... A Sega CDX power supply. The same exact ouput specs. Model MK-4122 Output 9.5V DC 1.5A Center positive - ---Co---- + I have both systems, and just tried it. It works great. CDX power supplies aren't too common either but I've seen them show up on eBay every now and then. Also see if that Sega Parts site has them. Definately do not use the model 2 Genesis 0.85A power supply. Dead/dying CDX consoles from using that power supply seems to be a common problem. If that 0.85A isn't enough power for a CDX, I can't see how it would work with a Wondermega with all those PCBs it has, motorized lid, etc.
You can use a regulated or a switch mode power supply around 9 to 10V at any over 1.5 Amp, a 2A or 3A PSU would be fine. Just don't use anything rated less then 1.5Amp or even an unregulated PSU as some power supplies will start to smoke as the Wondermega does draw a lot of juice (you can tell if the PSU is under strain as the LEDs on the lid will darken or flicker as the lid opens...) or it might fail to open at all, but don't force the lid. The end is the same as a 32X or Megadrive 2 PSU but don't use them as they will do the above but you could cut the end off and use it as part of a larger PSU if required. Remember negative Tip (that's the centre bit...).
