What UK Power Supply Unit Needed to Power XRGB3 in The UK

[retrogeek777]

Hi all don't really want to use a stepdown transformer so I was wondering if someone could direct me to a site/auction which sells a UK PSU I can use in the UK with XRGB3 Thanks In Advance

[Ji-L87]

What's wrong with a stepdown?
You'll probably need one anyway for import goodness...

[retrogeek777]

Hi I feel more comfortable to use UK PSU because I have a long 16 socket extension and worried that it might blow up especially since I know I will be using the XRGB for prolonged periods at a time

[fagin]

Hi I feel more comfortable to use UK PSU because I have a long 16 socket extension and worried that it might blow up especially since I know I will be using the XRGB for prolonged periods at a time

What difference does it make.... it will only pop the fuse in the extension plug if it draws too many amps.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hi I feel more comfortable to use UK PSU because I have a long 16 socket extension and worried that it might blow up especially since I know I will be using the XRGB for prolonged periods at a time

I would suggest having a thick-gauge (thick wire) extension cable with few sockets if you are running heavy duty items; get another and plug it into another outlet if you need a lot of power. Make sure it's a surge suppressor at least. 16 sockets sounds dangerously high, at least for the U.S. - don't know if it matters as much on 240V. The XRGB isn't going to add much load to the setup though. And unplug things when you're not using them.

[neorichieb1971]

Maplins. Stepdown transformer.

You would probably do more harm using a 3rd party transformer. The unit will drawer the same amount of amps through a stepdown as it would without it.

I found this - http://www.airlinktransformers.com/cat7 ... rters.html

I also use a USA 6 way extension on mine. Send someone to Walmart to get one for you.

[retrogeek777]

Thanks for the reply guys I guess il go for a 1 Socket 2 Metre extension lead and plug it into the second socket in the wall seems like the best option with a stepdown

[Ed Oscuro]

You would probably do more harm using a 3rd party transformer.

Please stop posting.

If it's got the right plug type and power specs, and is made by a reputable manufacturer, I don't see why it should do any harm. Plenty of people supply generic transformers and they aren't all bad. Micomsoft's (at least in the 2 and 2+ series) are Chinese-made, JET brand (from Hong Kong I think) - generic in fact.

Transformers lose energy, dissipated as heat. With a step-down you've got two transformers instead of just one (the wall wart). I would suspect it will be less efficient than just running one made for your local current. You shouldn't buy a transformer unless you are sure you need it (i.e., when there is no way to replace the power supply).

[neorichieb1971]

Ok Mr smarty pants. You go right ahead and put your XRGB3 $300 unit through a crappy 3rd party transformer that will probably only work if you get one of those that has 10 different connections and multi voltage switch. I wouldn't go near one. Its much better to get a stepdown and use the unit with its official transformer.

Using a stepdown makes hardly any difference at the level of consumption your talking with consoles and video converters. Its negligible. If you want to argue that over a year you save 10 cents then go for it.

By the way, its recommended you get a stepdown that is twice as powerful as you need. This stops stress and overheating of the stepdown. I wouldn't get one under 100 watts but thats just me.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm sorry if you got offended but your posting reveals you don't know the basics. If it supplies the right power, and has at least enough capacity in amperage, then it will be fine. This isn't rocket science. Nor are fancy labels have magical power over the fundamentals of electrical supply.

Transformers are cheap and Micomsoft is not going to a special supplier for them. I misremembered slightly: Both 2 and 2+ PSUs I've got are from Go Forward Enterprise Corp, these folks in Taiwan. One PSU has Micomsoft's logo on the label, the other does not (has "Jet" on it though). Both are originals. Both are interchangeable with both units; the part number on one just has an "S" at the end. But a well-made power supply with the right plug from a third party will do just as well.

But if you're spouting absolute nonsense about third party transformers (they're all third party, really; they're just OEM equipment and almost certainly off-the-shelf designs) being dangerous, or about step-downs not wasting electricity, you're doing nobody any favors, and you should stop posting. I make plenty of mistakes but I at least try to be cognizant of this fact and alert others to the possibility. You just gleefully write bullshit and expect others to fall in line. This is an unfortunate long-standing habit of yours which you never take steps to correct.

By the way, its recommended you get a stepdown that is twice as powerful as you need. This stops stress and overheating of the stepdown. I wouldn't get one under 100 watts but thats just me.

Recommended by who? In any case, that's wrong too. A step-down transformer is most efficient when it is running close to its designed load. You can look here for some details.

It's not the best translated English, but these Chinese folks make transformers and they immediately shoot down a bunch of the misconceptions you have stated about transformers, and it's rather easy to read.

If somebody is considering getting a step-down transformer, I would say: Get one that has a load rating close to what you will be using it with, not below obviously, but it should not be 10x either. (Computer power supplies also have a similar problem when they are powering components only far below their capacity.) Also try to ensure it has copper windings, instead of (far less efficient) aluminum.

[Fudoh]

Transformers are cheap and Micomsoft is not going to a special supplier for them

and even quite the opposite. Micomsoft used cheap china PSUs fort he XRGB-3 (and so did DVDO for the VP30, 50, 50Pro). They all suffer from failing capacitors and there's absolutely no reason to stick to them.

[neorichieb1971]

I've probably worked more stepdowns than the pair of you. I have lots of ACTUAL experience with a few different models. I would not recommend buying a 50watt stepdown and using it for long periods, maybe to have a shave yes, but not running a CD based console for 6-8 hours. For a start the thing will get hot. If you get a 100watt stepdown it will perform, stay cool(er) and your gaming console will be better protected and the stepdown will less likely short circuit. You can also put a 6 way extension into it and run 2 things at once. Which I do. But mine is 250 watts.

When buying a 3rd party transformer, you have the problem of finding the right connector. You have the risk of the multi volt switch sliding out of position. Not to mention they look like crap. I'm not saying the original transformers are super duper. But they were stress tested for the loads of the designated unit. In this case the XRGB3. If it breaks, you get a new one.

Any hoo, you guys do what you want and give what advice you want. I've never had any issues. Sounds like you guys have lots of issues in the past.

"10x the power", lol. I never said any such thing. I said 2x as much as you need. For flexibility and peace of mind.

[Fudoh]

I've probably worked more stepdowns than the pair of you

you're refering to me ? I have a 300, 500 and a 750W unit in my setup, along with some 120V to 100V converters for the higher-end end equipment.

Still 50W is plenty for a XRGB-3 which doesn't even draw 20 watts.

[Ed Oscuro]

Richie, I'm sure you use stepdowns and have no problems, but you can't extrapolate your experience with using more than ample capacity to a certain statement about using lower (but still quite acceptable, and actually more efficient) rated stepdowns. More is not always better when it comes to electronics.

But I think we're addressing everything but what is important...we've knocked down basically all your claims and you just want to start throwing mud. Well, nobody's out here to embarrass you, but you have to help yourself. And we are here to help another forumer come to good conclusions, not get tangled up in trying to look the best.

[neorichieb1971]

The OP does not state what he intends to use the XRGB3 for. In my setup the XRGB2 I have requires a stepdown but so does the video equipment I am using. Therefore 50w won't cut it if your drawing the wattage of the console and the XRGB at the same time from the same stepdown. Perhaps the advice I was given in 1994 isn't perfect regarding twice the wattage ratings for the item you need to run, but its worked for me since then with no problems. I once ran a 3DO on a cube 50W and the damn thing nearly melted. It didn't do any damage but I decided not to use it again.

I will admit, that if the XRGB1,2,3 had a UK PSU available it would allow me to use just the stepdown for the consoles i'm running with it without the aid of a 6 way strip. My advice isn't going to hurt his equipment and I would be very VERY surprised if an alternative with the right plug for the XRGB's existed. But I'd like to be proven wrong on that.

[Ed Oscuro]

Therefore 50w won't cut it if your drawing the wattage of the console and the XRGB at the same time from the same stepdown.

Yeah, getting a stepdown with higher capacity can be an investment towards running exotic machines. But that is a decision that should be made consciously...you keep trying to introduce complications which were hidden from us at the time you made your initial recommendation

I personally use the XRGB only with machines that use 120V input (i.e. my supergun), so extra capacity wouldn't be valuable to me yet. Basically this is a decision the OP should make once knowing what they are likely to plug into it. But getting the highest capacity stepdown available would be expensive and wildly inefficient.

My advice isn't going to hurt his equipment

We want the best advice, though...not advice which introduces a number of wrong concepts which could be harmful in the long run.

and I would be very VERY surprised if an alternative with the right plug for the XRGB's existed. But I'd like to be proven wrong on that.

We already showed that Go Forward Enterprise Corp is an OEM equipment manufacturer. At worst you will need an adapter for the right plug type. If it's the same as the XRGB-3, it just needs the same plug (or a plug adapter) as the original.

[neorichieb1971]

you keep on insisting my advice was to get the biggest stepdown. I said "twice" the wattage required. If you look at my first link the range of stepdowns goes from 50w to something like 1000w with about 10 variations in between. 100w is only the 2nd stepdown in the list. I have 100W and a 250W stepdown currently. Apart from my arcade cabinets, the 100W is good for everything. Its the one I would recommend as its the cheapest one that has flexibility without the overkill (for console usage).

The more complicated question is if he wants to run US and JP native hardware. I use a USA type stepdown graded for 110V, JP is 100v. On my setup nothing has happened to JP hardware. But what of the reverse, if you get a JP stepdown graded for 100V, does the USA stuff run fine?

anyway, I feel like playing a game...

[Fudoh]

The more complicated question is if he wants to run US and JP native hardware

defintitely not needed. I use straight stepdown converters (230 to 115V) since 1988, when I got my first PC Engine. Never had any problems. I just use an additional 120 to 100V converter for my high-end home theater equipment.

[Lawfer]

What's wrong with a stepdown?
You'll probably need one anyway for import goodness...

Do converters make things blow up? What?

They blow up if you hook them to something that they cant handle, check the watts.

The more complicated question is if he wants to run US and JP native hardware

defintitely not needed. I use straight stepdown converters (230 to 115V) since 1988, when I got my first PC Engine. Never had any problems. I just use an additional 120 to 100V converter for my high-end home theater equipment.

What do you mean when you say that you use an additional 120 to 100V converter?

[Fudoh]

exactly what I say.

Japanes hardware is spec'ed for 100V, not 115-120V like US hardware. For expensive equipment I use a proper US-JP stepdown converter in addition to the EU/US stepdown converter...

[neorichieb1971]

to Lawfer, the amount of watts cannot blow anything up. You can have 20 gigawatts of capability but if 20w is what is needed, that is all that is given.

Volts on the other hand has very little room for error. You'll definitely blow up something with the wrong voltage.

Fudoh has put some device onto his stepdown which steps down the power from 220v>110v>100v. Or something similar to that. In high end equipment the extra volts can have abnormal side effects to sound or video. I've heard of flickers, crackles etc. Although to be honest, i've never dealt with 100V equipment outside of games consoles.

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, here we go again: The larger capacity transformers are humming along using up electricity more or less in proportion to that capacity.

For this reason it is a good idea to balance having a large enough transformer to meet your needs (you may consider it best to get a larger one so that you can use it on other devices in the future) but not so large that it is more expensive than you need (also inefficient).

Fudoh has put some device onto his stepdown which steps down the power from 220v>110v>100v. Or something similar to that. In high end equipment the extra volts can have abnormal side effects to sound or video. I've heard of flickers, crackles etc. Although to be honest, i've never dealt with 100V equipment outside of games consoles.

Fudoh has just chained two step-down transformers to get to the desired 100V. As he stated, it's not really necessary with many Japanese devices to have a second step down to 100V, but in some cases you want to be sure.

[Lawfer]

to Lawfer, the amount of watts cannot blow anything up. You can have 20 gigawatts of capability but if 20w is what is needed, that is all that is given.

No I mean if you hook up something that require 90 watts on a 85 watts converter, the converter will go boom after a minute or so.

[Lawfer]

exactly what I say.

Japanes hardware is spec'ed for 100V, not 115-120V like US hardware. For expensive equipment I use a proper US-JP stepdown converter in addition to the EU/US stepdown converter...

Oh similirarly how Australia uses 240v while Germany uses 230v, but I did not know that this would be a cause of problem, as 100~120v and 220~240v are within the reach.

[Fudoh]

all Europe has 230V. It's safe to assume that all european PSUs can be safely used in Australia as well.

[Lawfer]

all Europe has 230V. It's safe to assume that all european PSUs can be safely used in Australia as well.

So why should this be a problem with japanese equipment used in the US?

I used my japanese Playstation 2 in the US by simply plugging it and never had a problem.

[Ed Oscuro]

There's a number of factors to look at. Some devices simply are more sensitive to voltage than others. The PlayStation 2 probably has a modern power supply design that corrects a wide enough range of voltages so that either 100 or 120V are no problem. Not all devices should be assumed to have this tolerance, and converting voltages requires slightly more power draw and thus heat - if you're already concerned about heat of the device then an external transformer is a good idea.

[neorichieb1971]

All PS2 slims and PS3's have universal internal PSU's.

The PS2 fat did not. Although I did play my JP PS2 (fat one) with US voltage straight out of the wall without any problems. Don't try that though, US power systems are very very shite. A surge protector is almost always needed in the US. The amount of light bulbs they went through when I was there was slightly ridiculous. Like a bulb would last 6 months, so you'd change one every other week somewhere round the house.

[Lawfer]

My japanese Playstation 2 is from 2001, never had any problems.

[Fudoh]

So why should this be a problem with japanese equipment used in the US?
I used my japanese Playstation 2 in the US by simply plugging it and never had a problem.

I have the feeling you're reading only half of the postings....

You're not supposed to have any problems. Nobody will. But there's a difference between plugging in a toy like a PS2, which is used all around the world and has a multi-current PSU anyway and plugging in several thousand $$/EUR expensive high-end gear which was produced for use in Japan exlusively.