Hi everybody,

I’ve actually just registered to the forums even though I’ve been checking out the website for years (probably 2006, at the very least). I’ve always been fascinated in the VB even though I don’t have a lot of games for it (although I intend to get more over time). I’ve recently started playing it again, getting it out of its box to play some Galactic Pinball and Red Alarm, which is why I’ve just now registered.

Anyway, I’m playing it with rechargeable batteries, they work just fine, but it would be great if I could play it while it’s simply plugged in the wall. However I’ve come to a conundrum.

I have a Japanese VB, and after reading a couple of messages on the subject on this very forum, if I understand this right I’ll have to get a Japanese adapter tap. It says on the website that it works with a standard Sufami/SNES plug, but I live in france, so the wall sockets are actually different here.

So I was wondering if the Japanese Adapter Tap would work with a European SNES power adapter ? I wouldn’t want to fry my unit in case the voltage is different between the two (even if I don’t have an adapter tap yet, I thought it would be better to ask).

Hi Octaedre,

You are correct. The Japanese Adapter Tap will, in fact, work with a European SNES power adapter. It’s the power adapter that you have to worry about for your country, not the tap that connects it to your Virtual Boy.

Oh ok, cool 😀

So now I just have to find a Japanese Adapter Tap…

Thanks a lot for the quick answer !!

You’re welcome. 🙂

Octaedre wrote:

So now I just have to find a Japanese Adapter Tap…

I have an extra Japanese Adapter Tap that I can sell to you. It comes complete with box and instructions. I am willing to offer it to you for 15 U.S. Dollars plus shipping to your country, which I believe is much less than you will pay for one on Ebay right now. If you’re interested, send me a PM. I use PayPal for payments.

Regards.

The PAL SNES power adaptor is AC so it shouldn’t really be used with the Virtual Boy which takes DC. I’d get a japanese adaptor tap (which takes a 5.5 x 2.1mm DC jack) and the EU version of this adaptor (I have the UK version):

http://avslgroup.com/en/product/174.001EU

I know it’s usually not recommended but would it work with a “universal adapter” type thing ? The kind where you can choose the voltage and everything… Otherwise I’ll probably get the one you recommend.

Benjamin, I don’t have a paypal account but a friend does, I’ll ask him and then I’ll get back to you.

Are there any pictures of the plug inside the JP adapter for the controller? I can’t remember if I could ever find any.

It’s quite strange that they went with such an unusual plug for the US power pack, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one with an internal pin like that on anything before.

Octaedre wrote:
I know it’s usually not recommended but would it work with a “universal adapter” type thing ? The kind where you can choose the voltage and everything… Otherwise I’ll probably get the one you recommend.

If you mean like a vitage-adjustable power pack, I’ve been using one of those to power my Virtual Boy, through a power adapter I whipped together from a few spare parts. I tried to find something that matched the input rating of the VB, but looking at it now I see it only lists a voltage of 6V-9V and no amperage. Can’t remember at all what I searched for or found to settle on the powerpack I did, but it rates itself at 12V max and 1.0A max, and I run it set to 9V. Hasn’t fried anything yet, so I guess it must be ok? 😛

The amperage on mine is 1.4 A (with a voltage of 9 V) and I’ve been using it with the VB for four years, so you’re safe.

Gookanheimer wrote:
Are there any pictures of the plug inside the JP adapter for the controller? I can’t remember if I could ever find any.

Actually I’ve just gotten my Adapter Tap in the mail (thanks Benjamin !!), and so I took pictures, which are attached in this post.

It looks like a totally standard AC adapter plug.

I haven’t gotten around to testing it yet because the universal ac I have has one of those cross things at the end with multiple different plugs, and as such even though I can plug it in it doesn’t allow me to close the lid. Besides, the voltage listed on there is 300mA. I don’t exactly know what that means but it sounds considerably higher than 1.4A…

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Octaedre wrote:
Besides, the voltage listed on there is 300mA. I don’t exactly know what that means but it sounds considerably higher than 1.4A…

I’m no expert but 300mA is less than 1.4A, 1,4A I think would equate to 1400mA.
I use a DC adapter (a homebrew made one) plate and use either a 1A or a 500mA transformer, which ever is to hand, they both work so I’d say try it with your 300mA adapter, set the voltage to 7.5 or 9v and you should be seeing red (not angry red, joyful VB red playfulness)

Yes 1.4A is 1400mA. If a transformer is rated at 300mA it can only take a load of up 300mA so if the device your using takes 1.4A then your transformer is over loaded and could burn out. This is unlikely when playing for short periods but if your device is on 24/7 it with kill the transformer and maybe take your device with it.

Don´t forget to check polarity on your adapter – afaik it is always “center tip positive”.

WoLfMaN wrote:
Don´t forget to check polarity on your adapter – afaik it is always “center tip positive”.

No, you need a centre negative plug. Using a positive centre plug won’t work and may damage your Virtual Boy.

Thanks for the info, thought it was be the standard setup!

Sorry to bump an old topic but I haven’t really found a clear answer when searching online and I’m looking for clarification from others smarter than I am.

I have recently purchased a second US virtual boy with ac adapter. How would I go about using this in Australia? I take it that I can’t simply use a snes pal adapter? or one of those universal ones?

Assuming there is a way to get this to work, would this setup then work on my second Japanese vb? Or do I also need to purchase a Japan ac adapter set?

What would be the easiest way to get around this or should I just stick to batteries?

Thanks in advance.

Check the output voltages on both ac adapters. All AC adapters list the input and output voltages required. Input would be the power required from the wall (120, 220V etc.), while output is what is sent to the actual system. As long as the output voltages and the plug is the same, there shouldn’t be a problem using a PAL SNES power adapter on a US VB.

For example I use a US power adapter on a PAL Wii U. As we live in the US and have 120V.

Hopefully this helps.

The output on my Australian snes power supply is 9v and 1.3A

The output on my US vb power supply is 10v and 850mA.

So if I can find any generic power supply that fits and is closer to the output of the genuine US power supply I should be right then? How close does it need to be? For example I found a power supply that is 11v and 1A. Or does it need to be exact?

Sorry for all the questions but don’t want to ruin anything over the long term. As I said before, I can always continue to use batteries.

So if I can find any generic power supply that fits and is closer to the output of the genuine US power supply I should be right then? How close does it need to be? For example I found a power supply that is 11v and 1A. Or does it need to be exact?

Sorry for all the questions but don’t want to ruin anything over the long term. As I said before, I can always continue to use batteries.

You’re close. Voltage needs to be as close as possible, and I think we’re talking ±0.5V.

Amperage needs to be the same or greater, with greater generally being preferred. Too little current could cause malfunctions, unexpected/unintended reboots, or just prevent booting altogether.

Thanks for your help. Ill see what I can find.