PicoPSU or ReSaturn PSU for Sega Saturn?

[robodude00]

Hey guys, I live in Australia and want to import an NTSC Saturn(probably from Japan because they are much cheaper and can play US games easily with an Action Replay card). But the question is, I have to change the internal power supply. Which of the two options listed would be best. From what I have seen, the ReSaturn looks much easier to install and seem to be solder-free? It also supports all versions of the Saturn where the Pico is more specific. The ReSaturn is more expensive though. What are the other pros and cons of each? Are there any better options than these two? Thanks heaps in advance!

[bobrocks95]

Hey guys, I live in Australia and want to import an NTSC Saturn(probably from Japan because they are much cheaper and can play US games easily with an Action Replay card). But the question is, I have to change the internal power supply. Which of the two options listed would be best. From what I have seen, the ReSaturn looks much easier to install and seem to be solder-free? It also supports all versions of the Saturn where the Pico is more specific. The ReSaturn is more expensive though. What are the other pros and cons of each? Are there any better options than these two? Thanks heaps in advance!

YMMV, but just as a third option, my Japanese Saturn actually had a 100-240V power supply, which you can open the console to confirm since the outside label only indicates 100V.

[Listai]

I'd go with the Resaturn - I'm also in Australia. I was pleasantly surprised with the build quality and ease of installation. Those PicoPSU boards can vary wildly in quality.

I put mine in my model 2 a week or two ago and it's been perfect.

[Kez]

YMMV, but just as a third option, my Japanese Saturn actually had a 100-240V power supply, which you can open the console to confirm since the outside label only indicates 100V.

That's interesting! Was there a particular marking or component that is easy to spot to confirm this?

[robodude00]

I'd go with the Resaturn - I'm also in Australia. I was pleasantly surprised with the build quality and ease of installation. Those PicoPSU boards can vary wildly in quality.

I put mine in my model 2 a week or two ago and it's been perfect.

Thanks for that, can I ask what external power adaptor you used?

[maxtherabbit]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

[ldeveraux]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

Except the C64 fire bomb waiting to happen!

[bobrocks95]

YMMV, but just as a third option, my Japanese Saturn actually had a 100-240V power supply, which you can open the console to confirm since the outside label only indicates 100V.

That's interesting! Was there a particular marking or component that is easy to spot to confirm this?

I'll get a picture if I can't find one online, but I think it was printed right on the silkscreen- IIRC it might be an off the shelf part as well?

[Listai]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

This isn't about pointlessly replacing a functional OEM power supply for the fun of it - this is for people in PAL territories using NTSC consoles.

Thanks for that, can I ask what external power adaptor you used?

I purchased one directly from the creator of the ReSaturn.

[TooBeaucoup]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

While I prefer to use all stock components in my consoles, I had a PSU causing wavy interference on my Saturn. I put in new caps, new voltage regulators and it still didn't fix the problem. I ended up getting a replacement PSU from https://mobiusstriptechnologies.com/pro ... wer-strip/ I couldn't be happier with the rock solid quality of this model. I didn't really have any other choice aside from buying some used Saturns, crossing my fingers and hoping they had a good PSU or one that I could service back to working order. At the end of the day, just buying an aftermarket one made the most sense. Eventually, we won't have originals anymore and even the ones we do will eventually get to a point where they can't be serviced back to working order very easily.

However, I agree that if your PSU is working properly, I really don't get why people would swap them out.

[Konsolkongen]

Why not just buy a 240V > 110V stepdown converter instead?

[JigsawMan]

Not directly related, but I just ordered a ReSaturn for my NTSC Saturn (I am in the UK). I was on the search for a 12v PSU to go with it and spent a while trawling tech sheets and settled on the 12v version of this: https://www.xppower.com/product/AKM65-Series

I don't fancy taking the chance with a cheap model from Amazon and they are failrly priced and availble from Digikey and RS Components.

I have used these before with the Dreamcast PSU replacements: http://www.leicke.eu/en/products/NT33402

I've read Bob at RetroRGBs view on power supplies and not replacing them with these 3rd party ones and he makes a valid point that it is unlikey someone is going to be able to do a better job than the OEM. For me it just made things easy being in a PAL territory.

[thchardcore]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

Couldn't agree more. I don't see these as an upgrade and the originals are fairly well made.

[Taiyaki]

I definitely recommend sticking to OEM for all systems. The only case in which I see a third party being of use is Sega Genesis with Sega CD combo. I forget the name of the maker but there's a guy who makes a great one that combines Genesis with Sega CD and 32X into one power adapter instead of 3 separate ones. There's a good case to be made for that one.

[ldeveraux]

I definitely recommend sticking to OEM for all systems. The only case in which I see a third party being of use is Sega Genesis with Sega CD combo. I forget the name of the maker but there's a guy who makes a great one that combines Genesis with Sega CD and 32X into one power adapter instead of 3 separate ones. There's a good case to be made for that one.

This dude?

https://en.retrogamesupply.com/collecti ... ega-cd-32x

[Kez]

Okay so I have been running my NTSC Model 1 Saturn with a step-down transformer, I just took a look at the PSU and it does show "1.25A250V" in the bottom left corner (click to enlarge). Does this mean it can be used without a stepdown at 230VAC? I thought I'd double check in case I am missing something obvious!

[Blacksheep]

Kez, that marking is about the fuse. Please don't plug that PSU into 230V mains.

Also don't let that confuse you when it comes to the PS1: http://www.psxdev.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=694

[Kez]

Haha okay thanks!

[EVN]

Hey guys, I live in Australia and want to import an NTSC Saturn(probably from Japan because they are much cheaper and can play US games easily with an Action Replay card). But the question is, I have to change the internal power supply. Which of the two options listed would be best. From what I have seen, the ReSaturn looks much easier to install and seem to be solder-free? It also supports all versions of the Saturn where the Pico is more specific. The ReSaturn is more expensive though. What are the other pros and cons of each? Are there any better options than these two? Thanks heaps in advance!

YMMV, but just as a third option, my Japanese Saturn actually had a 100-240V power supply, which you can open the console to confirm since the outside label only indicates 100V.

Hi,

Sorry to necro this thread, is this true? Did you ever find the picture?

Cheers!

[Nugs]

I'm in Australia also, I ended up getting this one for my Japanese Saturn.
Was super easy to install and has worked perfectly for me with no issues since I bought it in May.
The price seems to have doubled since I bought it though.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124517862230

[bobrocks95]

Okay so I have been running my NTSC Model 1 Saturn with a step-down transformer, I just took a look at the PSU and it does show "1.25A250V" in the bottom left corner (click to enlarge). Does this mean it can be used without a stepdown at 230VAC? I thought I'd double check in case I am missing something obvious!

Hey guys, I live in Australia and want to import an NTSC Saturn(probably from Japan because they are much cheaper and can play US games easily with an Action Replay card). But the question is, I have to change the internal power supply. Which of the two options listed would be best. From what I have seen, the ReSaturn looks much easier to install and seem to be solder-free? It also supports all versions of the Saturn where the Pico is more specific. The ReSaturn is more expensive though. What are the other pros and cons of each? Are there any better options than these two? Thanks heaps in advance!

YMMV, but just as a third option, my Japanese Saturn actually had a 100-240V power supply, which you can open the console to confirm since the outside label only indicates 100V.

Hi,

Sorry to necro this thread, is this true? Did you ever find the picture?

Cheers!

Sorry that I took so long, but this has been on the back of my mind for a while. I took a picture to confirm that mine is labelled 100-120V AC on the silkscreen, so definitely not fit for Europe but seems like it's just fine for US and Japan. The back label does only specify 100V AC.

So interesting, but not for European users sorry. I don't see this mentioned much for US importers though. 50Hz though oddly! Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up for 240V.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM ... authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM ... authuser=0

[azmun]

There is no reason you should ever swap a functional OEM power supply for one of these cottage industry hack jobs

Couldn't agree more. I don't see these as an upgrade and the originals are fairly well made.

I agree OEM are best. But besides the reasons some members here have already mentioned (adapting the power supply to different regions, replacing aging/failing components), another motive for swapping to "cottage industry" PSUs is the belief that you are getting an "upgrade." It seems modding and hacking jobs have become vogue and as with many things in the tech world, components are improved--in this case simplified and lower temperature/heat to prolong the life of our consoles. Of course, another option is to repair rather than replace the OEM with parts but many consider convenience. Hence, DIY with options that don't require soldering jobs or are plug and play are appealing or considered.

[Konsolkongen]

So interesting, but not for European users sorry. I don't see this mentioned much for US importers though. 50Hz though oddly! Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up for 240V.

That’s because east and west Japan are using 50 and 60Hz power generators respectively. The 50/60Hz label just means that it could be used anywhere in Japan.

https://www.quora.com/Why-does-Japan-st ... em?share=1

[bobrocks95]

So interesting, but not for European users sorry. I don't see this mentioned much for US importers though. 50Hz though oddly! Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up for 240V.

That’s because east and west Japan are using 50 and 60Hz power generators respectively. The 50/60Hz label just means that it could be used anywhere in Japan.

https://www.quora.com/Why-does-Japan-st ... em?share=1

Ah, knew they had some 110V areas, but didn't know they had 50Hz in some places. Must have been a huge headache in the past.

[Konsolkongen]

I bet it was