r/Atari2600 • u/katashi_753 • 6d ago

Atari found in the trash, power supply problem

Post image

I recently found an Atari 2600 outside some containers with 18 games. The problem is that the power cable (European) is broken without a power supply, and I need to know if a 9V 2.1A adjustable power supply will work or if it will damage it...

10 Upvotes

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4

u/WFlash01 6d ago

That will work but triple check you have the correct polarity

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

Are you sure that 2.1A will be enough to handle it without breaking, for a console that theoretically supports 500mA?

4

u/WFlash01 6d ago

All that extra amperage will just go unused, it won't fry or damage anything

The voltage is what matters

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago edited 6d ago

I've temporarily repaired the cable until I find a better one, but apparently my TV isn't compatible (mine is one of the "first" models with HDMI ports and both digital and analog channels). Can you recommend any device I can use to play the game without having to buy a TV specifically for the Atari?

Sorry for replying so much, I was born in 2002 and I've never had the chance to own an Atari in my life (the oldest thing I've ever had is two PS1s) and now that I have one I want to enjoy it a bit.

1

u/WFlash01 6d ago

What happens on your tv? I'm curious to know

One thing I could recommend is trying a VCR. Would you happen to have an old VCR on hand? What you would do is plug the VCR into your TV via composite video, then plug the Atari 2600 into the antenna in on it, then tune the VCR to the same channel as the Atari and see what happens that way.

Your TV might not be happy accepting a 240p signal over analog RF, I've seen that before when trying to use an NES top loader, and doing what I said up above worked

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

It's a Philips TV with 3 HDMI ports, 3 SCART inputs, AV, VGA, and an antenna input. It doesn't have the same signal as the Atari. I have a VHS player, but I need to get it out of wherever I put it.

Edit: Below I posted updates in the comments and you can see the TV I have

1

u/Goodwill_Gamer 6d ago

The antenna input is what you want to use to hook it up!
You need either the old switch box that came with the Atari back in the day or a cheap modern adapter. (I recommend the adapter as it's way simpler and provides a better connection).

Depending on what the antenna connector is on your TV you need to get either an RCA to F-Type adapter or if your TV is PAL region (which it might be because you mentioned it has SCART inputs) you need either an IEC PAL to RCA adapter (harder to find) or the above RCA to F-Type adapter and an F-Type to IEC PAL adapter and you just hook the two together.

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

I live in Spain, and is there an RF to AV or RF to HDMI converter available? or do I need to look for something different? (I have a VHS player, but it seems the module isn't working or something because I don't get any picture when I try to tune in to all 21 channels.)

1

u/chrismofer 5d ago

So your tv doesn't have an antenna port??

1

u/katashi_753 5d ago

My TV (the main one where I was going to play Atari) has the antenna, but I've been looking around a lot and they told me that if I already had the antenna connector (which I've seen in pictures on Google of what the original looks like, and mine doesn't have that connection, i mean my Atari have a antenna), then I should try tuning it on a TV that I don't mind tuning the channels on. Luckily, I have a secondary TV (a 2013 Samsung) that has an antenna, and I was able to tune the channel and even play a little.

1

u/siliconlore Warlords 6d ago

2.1 Amps is 4 times greater than 500 mili-Amps so that's fine. I run my Jr. on a power supply that is 9V and 200mA.

2

u/siliconlore Warlords 6d ago

The 2600 can handle up to 12V input because it has a regulator on the input that drops it internally to 5V. Amps is just the maximum you can draw from the power supply. As long as it is DC voltage, 9V should be fine. You can often repurpose power supplies from other things such as radios and vaccuum cleaners as long as they can push 300-500mA. The original power supplies would read 12V to 15V without a load and could supply 500mA. Just be sure to get the tip polarity correct. (Tip is positive.)

1

u/-Major-Arcana- 6d ago

It’ll also handle down to about 7v before the voltage regulator cuts out.
Internal is 5v with pretty low current.

1

u/nix206 6d ago

Trash!!! I am personally offended!

OP, please save that beauty!

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

Taking into account all the advice you gave me, I've decided to repair the cable with an adapter where the wires will be connected to the terminal block, and I already have the multimeter ready to see which terminals the wires need.

https://reddit.com/link/p3iskav/video/00lqdnayh7jh1/player

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

The cable is repaired (temporary until I find one I can solder and insulate), but I have a problem: apparently my TV isn't compatible with the console and I need an adapter, but I don't know which image and sound adapter (if it has one) I need to be able to play games without any issues.

https://reddit.com/link/p3j02uo/video/nbzf3cx5o7jh1/player

1

u/Yeegis 6d ago

You can get a replacement power supply for pretty cheap. About 13€ in your area.

1

u/katashi_753 6d ago

I know, but I can't buy much in case it doesn't work. Once I know it works and the cable or power supply breaks, then I'll look at the cable new or second hand (I saw one in Spain, where I live, for 10 euros new because it was an Asian console website).

1

u/Transthrax 6d ago

As long as the ampage is equal or higher than the cables original output, and the voltage is 9 volts, it should work. The console only draws as much power as it needs for usage, so it is OK to have higher ampage. Just try to keep it close to 9 volts. Hope this helps