So I’ve inadvertently gotten my hands on both the U.S. and Japanese Virtual Boy Power Adapter Taps, and it got me thinking:

Is one of them better to use on the VB than the other?

I’ve touched on this subject before, however it seems to have brought up more questions than answers.

I currently use an Atari Jaguar Power Adapter (DC 9V 1.2A) plugged into the Japanese VB Adapter Tap, as I am told that using a lower voltage Power Source would extend the life of the VB(?).

I’ve also heard that using an AC Adapter instead of a DC Adapter could fry your unit?

With all of that being said, is using the standard U.S. Power Tap bad for the VB, as it is used with a 10V AC Adapter?

I would find it rather ridiculous if that were true, considering how Nintendo intended it to be used that way, but you’re all probably more knowledgeable on VB power consumption specs than I am, so I wanted to get a few other thoughts in.

Cheers!

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I prefer the Performance branded one, it is much more reliable and snug fitting. I know as I own all 3 taps.

Performance made a Power Tap?

Can I get a photo of one?

I’ve always thought that when people would refer to it, that they were actually talking about an actual power adapter (that plugged into the wall), and not a tap.

There is a page for it on this website with a couple of pictures.

http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=accessories&sec=main&id=11

Dr.Crackers wrote:
Performance made a Power Tap?

Can I get a photo of one?

I’ve always thought that when people would refer to it, that they were actually talking about an actual power adapter (that plugged into the wall), and not a tap.

I’ve always wondered about this too, though I suspect it has been discussed before. I noticed that if I touch my multi-meter to the contacts of the US AC adapter tap with the US AC adapter plugged in it puts out about 12.5V DC. Granted this is “unloaded” since the VB isn’t turned on/attached, but I always wondered if I could safely come up with a way to take it easier on my system. Hopefully some of the electronics folks on here will chime in.

Dr.Crackers wrote:

I currently use an Atari Jaguar Power Adapter (DC 9V 1.2A) plugged into the Japanese VB Adapter Tap, as I am told that using a lower voltage Power Source would extend the life of the VB(?).

With all of that being said, is using the standard U.S. Power Tap bad for the VB, as it is used with a 10V AC Adapter?

Thanks for the link, Astro. I’ve found this on an old thread, it might help ease your woes a bit.

RunnerPack wrote:

Reel Big Fish wrote:
(many adapters out there are 10 V, which will work but may shorten the life of your unit).

Well, since the VB’s on-board regulator is rated to 13V – and probably a little conservatively, at that, since it’s the more efficient “buck” (switching) type – I don’t think anyone should worry about using a 10V adapter (especially since that’s what Nintendo themselves designed the U.S. tap to use :-P)

Astro, you mentioned your tap was delivering 12.5V DC, that should be within the VB’s regulator rating, although by a very narrow margin, however. I guess that could lead to the system running a bit hot?

I wish I could view a more credible source other than gossip about VB’s frying and/or otherwise overheating due to a Power Adapter…

It’s possible all that talk of them being damaged by AC adapters is just a bunch of rumors.

It is a bunch of rumors, just something some people were randomly thinking about. It is nonsense that it will be a problem!

I use a DC adapter all the time and have had no problems, there are no reports about VB’s being fried because of this either.

Ah, okay. Thanks for clearing that up! 🙂

Oops, I meant AC, but use both to be honest, not a problem as the taps have been designed like that. Enjoy the VB!

Sorry to necro this, but some dangerous points remain:

1. Feeding AC current to any DC powered device is a great way to kill it. The VB is designed for DC only. Never feed it AC.

2. The US Tap is designed for an SNES PSU SNS-002, which is DC 10V 850mA. Do not use an NES PSU, which is AC 9V!

An on-spec Jag PSU is better than the SNES PSU for VB on paper at least. It’s a perfect match to the 9V that the VB wants and has more amperage. In reality, it depends on the output of your particular PSU.

For US Tap owners: Unless you have spare SNES power supplies on hand, the best solution would probably be to use the US Tap with this adapter by Console5 which allows you to use the cheaper Genesis PSU (DC 9V/1.2A).

Again, do not follow the advice in this thread and feed a VB AC current. It is a DC device…

I ended up just using a $5 SNES/Genesis dual adapter and have been fine for a while with that. They are cheap and easy to get off ebay. Basically it is the AC box with 2 cords coming out of it. One obviously doesn’t fit (Genesis) and the other fits into the port slot (SNES) and works like a charm!

Anybody tired this one?
Know its a hard wired mod, but seems easy

Virtual Boy Power Mod Revisted