100V Japanese to US

By Soccer 1214

Resident (45)

23-05-2019, 03:54

What special adapter will I need to run my MSX here in the US? Thanks!

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

23-05-2019, 05:41

US and Japan use the same (or at least compatible) plugs, right? And 120V vs. Japan's 100V. And 50 or 60 Hz doesn't make much difference for the power supply. In other words: NO adapter needed.

In most cases, the higher voltage does cause more losses (heat) in the power supply. Warming the inside of the case. Just feel the case as your machine warms up, and use common sense to decide whether that's a problem or not.

Oh and on Wikipedia I read that 240V is also used in the US? Make sure to know if that's the case where you live. Many modern devices will take universal input (100-240V or so), for an old MSX machine that will not be so. And even an MSX bought from Japan may have come from elsewhere. So in any case: check the MSX'es type label. It should say what it expects as supply voltage.

By rderooy

Paladin (686)

23-05-2019, 08:45

Actually both the US and Japan use 60Hz, so not an issue.

And high voltage is only used in US homes for the washing machine. They have a special socket for it.

There are step-down transformers to convert the 120V down to 100V since most old devices were not designed to handle it. And just ignoring the issue can lead to the power supply failing and the system overheating.

It seems amazon has a few options:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=transformer+120+to+100v&ref=nb_sb...

Lastly, if you system has an external power brick, you *may* be able to simply swap it out for a version designed to run at 120V.

By Grauw

Ascended (10771)

23-05-2019, 09:33

rderooy wrote:

Actually both the US and Japan use 60Hz, so not an issue.

Actually Japan's power net has both 50 Hz (east, including Tokyo) and 60 Hz (west).

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

23-05-2019, 09:57

rderooy wrote:

And high voltage is only used in US homes for the washing machine. They have a special socket for it.

Thx, never knew that tidbit about how/where 240V was used in US homes.

Quote:

And just ignoring the issue can lead to the power supply failing and the system overheating.

True! But it does depend on the type & design of the power supply. @Soccer 1214: what MSX model are we talking about here?

By gdx

Enlighted (6219)

23-05-2019, 11:13

This looks nice:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ya07439-DN-103-Voltage-Step-Down-Tr...

By Soccer 1214

Resident (45)

23-05-2019, 15:13

The machine is a Panasonic FS-A1 MKII and it came with the original adapter and a bunch of connection cables. I have an older LCD with composite ports. Should that work? Thanks for all your input!

By gdx

Enlighted (6219)

23-05-2019, 15:18

Yes it will work but I recommend you to use a Voltage Step Down Transformer.

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

23-05-2019, 18:07

gdx wrote:

Yes it will work but I recommend you to use a Voltage Step Down Transformer.

+1. Or go for a replacement supply (could take some DIY) that does away with the original adapter. Search the forum... there have been several threads concerning that specific adapter.

If the machine has been in storage for a long time: be gentle when powering up for the first time! Electrolytic capacitors have a tendency to fail when being pulled from longterm storage back into full-on service. Better to switch on for a few seconds, switch off, and leave for a while. Then over the course of a few hours, increase on-time & frequency of power-ups. If machine saw regular use in the last year, no need for such precaution.

By Soccer 1214

Resident (45)

26-05-2019, 06:04

Both game and msx work great through the composite hook up. I am hearing a static sort of noise though. Is it because the cable is not in all the way? Or is it a TV thing? Thanks for all the help!

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

27-05-2019, 01:37

Grauw wrote:

rderooy wrote:

Actually both the US and Japan use 60Hz, so not an issue.

Actually Japan's power net has both 50 Hz (east, including Tokyo) and 60 Hz (west).

I've heard this said before, but I live in eastern Japan right now, and all our power in 60 Hz. Same was true when I lived in Japan before, 16 years ago.

I think it's only older households that use 50 Hz power -- and I don't think there are many of them left.

-Tom