Power Supply ! 110v-120v conversion to 220-240v Tutorial

[tieigo01]

Well, The title says it all, I've managed to buy a Yamaha for my beloved Saturn (MK-80200A-50). My saturn is completely okay except that it came without a power supply! I do know that my unit works! Tested it with a friend's power supply and it was down to doing it's business.
(It is also known that my unit VA9 will work with a VA10 power supply)

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But here's something really neat that i wanted to test.
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This Yamaha Board as we all know and love is from a MK-80000A Saturn, that only works on a 110/120V power outlets (Japan,America, you name it.)

I came across an idea. Converting the power supply to output 220-240v.

It's very interesting concept indeed!

Looks like that i've found atleast a clue!
The main power capacitor.

PAL POWER SUPPLY - 400v-100uf
NTSC-J/NTSC-U - 200v-100uf

one step less to manage this fit.


-Still i'm getting my research going. If any of you guys are willing to lend me a hand on information it will be valued


Here's the power supply.[/div]

[tieigo01]

Gotcha!
I've found video during my research!
It states that we may replace the main power Capacitor (200v-100uf) in order to achieve 220v-240v. EUREKA-YAY!
The subject is undeniably the 400v-100uf.
This procedure is commonly done in Playstation One consoles, PS2 and many others...But i've never seen it on a Sega Saturn
I will give this a test and report as soon as possible.
(The Subject in question)


Also! It is recomended to use the Standard PAL white 2.5 Amp Fuse instead of the one that comes default. That sums it all up. Feel free to test.

EDIT- Tested and works, this shall be the end of butchering Pal Sega Saturns that the PSU's have canibalized for a JPN console.
Just Swap the main power Capacitor

400v-100uf electrolytic capacitor. This will work on all the NTSC-J and NTSC-U units.

EDIT 2- Since i live in europe, i do not have the resources on doing the exact opposite. (Swapping the 400v-100uf for a 200-100uf).
Further testing will be done.

[tieigo01]

Here's the locations of the Capacitors on each board to replace.
Also some of them will require to solder a pcb fuse holder. (In order to have a swappable fuse for testing purposes)
Edit- The reason why the uf on the capacitor needs to be the same for example
Swapping a 200-100uf for a 400-100uf is due to temperature and overall performance.

Edit 2- Also the reason why the fuse needs to be replaced is that they need to be able to handle 250v. 
So you will need a 250v 2amp Fuse

Sega Saturn Models-


Sega Saturn Model 2, USA, VA7
Model number: MK-80000A
Serial number: 167015869
Motherboard type: VA7 USA SD
CD drive type: JVC ENR-013A
Power supply: 4-pin Type C (GND, GND, 5V, 5V)
This unit does not require fuse holder



Hitachi Hi-Saturn Model 2, JPN, VA9
Model number: MMP-11
Serial number: B69006875
Motherboard type: VA9
CD drive type: JVC ENR-013A
Power supply: 4-pin Type C (GND, GND, 5V, 5V)
This version does require a fuse Holder



Sega Saturn Model 2, USA, VA10 with Sanyo drive (Which is the board i tested) !!!! (Working- will upload proof in a few days)
Model number: MK-80000A
Serial number: BF7A003080
Motherboard type: VA10 OCU (USA)
CD drive type: Sanyo 610-6294-30 with Trap Board
Power supply: 4-pin Type C (GND, GND, 5V, 5V)
This version does not require a fuse holder



JVC V-Saturn Model 2, JPN, VA13
Model number: RG-JX2(Z)
Serial number: 09295551
Motherboard type: VA13 (JPN)
CD drive type: JVC HQA-001A
Power supply: 4-pin Type C (GND, GND, 5V, 5V)
This version does require a Fuse Holder


Special thanks to MCretro for provinding images of the boards for my research.
Now we can ditch those step down converters for good.
Also note that this is only confirmed working on a XS205 PSU TYPE C. Do this at your own risk

[zyrobs]

This is definitely not recommended and very likely will not work for all power supplies, since the other ICs on them may not accept 220V input. The type b power supplies that use TOP10x PWM chips will DEFINITELY not accept 220V input according to their spec sheet. The MOVs on the 110V power supplies are not rated high enough either, and I have no clue about the rating of the transformers.

DO NOT try this unless you know exactly how switch mode transformers work. It's simpler to get one of those PicoPSUs for your Saturn - Dragoncity has a kit for those so you can just plug it in the connector.

[tieigo01]

Exactly as i thoght, there must be an "but" for all this. But it is confirmed to work on a XS205 board

[zyrobs]

Electronic components are usually rated for much higher voltages than they have to work with, because a completely flat voltage is impossible to guarantee for various reasons (voltage spikes being a very common one). And the components will work beyond rated tolerances for a short while too, reducing their lifetime. So it will work up until there's a minor power surge, that the components cannot take because they are forced to work over their rating, and the entire thing blows. If it doesn't burn out before that happens.


Even worse, the fuse and the MOV are the two components installed for security to prevent damage in this exact scenario (they take the brunt of power spikes and self destruct). So if you change those to higher rated ones - while keeping all the other components lower rated - you'll end up something further up the power chain taking the damage. Possibly the transformer, one of the ICs on the PSU, or worst case scenario the Saturn itself.

[tieigo01]

Case closed then. Do NOT do this without knowing the risks that zyrobs stated

[fisher007]

is there no extern power suply mod for the saturn like the Dreamcast?

[davyk]

Step down transformer for a mortal like me.

[darka]

thanks so  much for the info

im thinking of doing it and i saw someone use your info but he add extra varistor i dont know which one is that  can someone confirm what did he use ?

here is the video

and here is the link for his tutorial but its in korean

blog.naver.com/xcvqwe/222259361514

[darka]

an update : i ask some in the comments and someone said he just he used 400v varistor and its working

i think  the one who made that video used 471v