Power supply voltages

aha2940

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Hi

I am building a supergun, so I bought a power supply from jammaboards.com:

https://www.jammaboards.com/store/16a-arcade-game-switching-power-supply-w-5vdc-md-9916a.html

it's a nive PS, it even has -5V and it has good reviews but I am getting high voltages from all outputs like this:

+5V -> 5.5V
+12V -> 14V
-5V -> -5.6V

These measures are with the power supply just turned on, with nothing connected to it. Is this normal? I am afraid to connect any board to this power supply out of fear it will fry it. I tried my atomiswave board for like 20 seconds and it started, showed an error (no cartridge), then the color test and I turned it off. I already tried the knob in the power supply, turned it all the way down (left) and those are the voltages I get. If I turn it right, measures are even higher.

Thanks!!
 

ReplicaX

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Ming Dong PSUs are turds. If JammaBoards understood this they wouldn't sell them. I have replaced at least 8 of these out of arcade cabinets over the last 2 years. All with voltage issues and/or dead -5v lines.

I'll let some of the SuperGun folks chime in on specific supplies they use.
As far as arcade cabs themselves, I have few issues with Peter Chou PSUs. It's also what most of the Arcade Industry has used over the years.
 

sparksterz

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Ming Dong PSUs are turds. If JammaBoards understood this they wouldn't sell them. I have replaced at least 8 of these out of arcade cabinets over the last 2 years. All with voltage issues and/or dead -5v lines.

I'll let some of the SuperGun folks chime in on specific supplies they use.
As far as arcade cabs themselves, I have few issues with Peter Chou PSUs. It's also what most of the Arcade Industry has used over the years.

Yeah, Peter Chou PSU's are the same ones sold by Bob Roberts. He tests each one before it makes its way to you. I've generally heard bad things about the quality of PSU's and Jamma extension cables from JammaBoards. Can't speak for their other items though.
 

skate323k137

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Voltages usually look fucked up unless the PSU is under load. You should be measuring the 5v and 12v with something connected to the PSU, but with readings like that, I could understand hesitation to do this.
 

ReplicaX

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Voltages usually look fucked up unless the PSU is under load. You should be measuring the 5v and 12v with something connected to the PSU, but with readings like that, I could understand hesitation to do this.

Even with no load, the 5v should be adjustable even below 5v on a meter with its low load. If its not adjusting down its defective. Those Ming Dong pos the adjust even effects the 12v and -5v, its garbage.
 

aha2940

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Even with no load, the 5v should be adjustable even below 5v on a meter with its low load. If its not adjusting down its defective. Those Ming Dong pos the adjust even effects the 12v and -5v, its garbage.

I thought so. It will adjust, but it will not go under 5V. Lowest I can get it is 5.5V, highest is 6.5V. And yes, it does change the -5V and 12V lines too. I thought that was normal, but now I see is not. I'll try to return this thing and get my money back, but now the question is: which power supplies are the best ones and where to get them?

Thanks!!
 

ReplicaX

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I thought so. It will adjust, but it will not go under 5V. Lowest I can get it is 5.5V, highest is 6.5V. And yes, it does change the -5V and 12V lines too. I thought that was normal, but now I see is not. I'll try to return this thing and get my money back, but now the question is: which power supplies are the best ones and where to get them?

Thanks!!

Peter Chou has been mentioned. You can get them from Bob Roberts or Suzo-Happ.

If its going inside a supergun and you want a smaller profile. The supergun guys need to chime in.
 

aha2940

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Peter Chou has been mentioned. You can get them from Bob Roberts or Suzo-Happ.

If its going inside a supergun and you want a smaller profile. The supergun guys need to chime in.

Thanks ReplicaX. I see Amazon sells these Peter Chou power supplies: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GM3F8D8...TF8&colid=2ZVKMSH94LJN1&coliid=I2WJLAWTLMGXJ3
While suzo-happ has these: http://na.suzohapp.com/amusement_products/power_supplies/80-0064-00?SS=ON

which one would be better in terms of reliability/durability and playing fair with the JAMMA boards? teh supergun will be used with a 2-slot MVS, an atomiswave and probably some CPS2 boards.

Thanks!!
 

Xian Xi

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One thing that can affect voltage is the input select, make sure it's set for your AC power.
 

aha2940

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One thing that can affect voltage is the input select, make sure it's set for your AC power.

I just checked and the switch is on the 110V position, however the AC current here is 120V, can that explain why the power supply outputs higher voltages?

Thanks!!
 

DNSDies

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Depends on which type of voltage regulation the PSU uses.
It could also be that the PSU was designed in mind with use in a full arcade cabinet, with fairly long wires running the voltages to the components, and they wanted to account for a voltage drop.

More likely though, it's made with shitty cheapo chinese knockoff parts and has shit voltage regulation.
 

Xian Xi

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I just checked and the switch is on the 110V position, however the AC current here is 120V, can that explain why the power supply outputs higher voltages?

Thanks!!

No, it just requires a minimum load on the +5v line. Find a PCB you don't care about for smoke tests.
 

Atro

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I personally never used one of those.

I have worked with Euro brands ( Intervideo, Hermes ) and I never had a single sign of worry of any of them.
Suzo PSU's are also very nice.

Are you sure you aren't having troubles with your pot?
I had a friend asking me to check his supergun and turns out that the pot was defective. His problem was the opposite of yours tho.
He couldn't go above +4.7V.
I replaced the pot and it went back to full functionality.
 
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ReplicaX

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Depends on which type of voltage regulation the PSU uses.
It could also be that the PSU was designed in mind with use in a full arcade cabinet, with fairly long wires running the voltages to the components, and they wanted to account for a voltage drop.

More likely though, it's made with shitty cheapo chinese knockoff parts and has shit voltage regulation.

Which type? Every JAMMA PSU I have encountered is a switching PSU.

Designed for use of a full arcade cabinet with long wires....

The Ming Dong is a POS, period. Open one up and you will see.
 

aha2940

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No, it just requires a minimum load on the +5v line. Find a PCB you don't care about for smoke tests.

That's a difficul thing. Here all JAMMA PCBs are expensive as hell, even boots are expensive. Besides, I only have 4 JAMMA boards so far: an Atomiswave, an MV2F, a boot Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and a broken MV1C. Of all, the only candidate would be the MV1C, but I am afraid it will not load the PS enough, because it throws some memory errors on boot, does not even show the crosshatch, therefore I think it does not access the cartridge.

I personally never used one of those.

I have worked with Euro brands ( Intervideo, Hermes ) and I never had a single sign of worry of any of them.
Suzo PSU's are also very nice.

Are you sure you aren't having troubles with your pot?
I had a friend asking me to check his supergun and turns out that the pot was defective. His problem was the opposite of yours tho.
He couldn't go above +4.7V.
I replaced the pot and it went back to full functionality.

Thanks for the tip on the potentiometer, Atro however being this thing is new, with warranty (I guess) then I'd rather not even open it. However if I have to keep it for any reason, I may try what you suggested :)


Which type? Every JAMMA PSU I have encountered is a switching PSU.

Designed for use of a full arcade cabinet with long wires....

The Ming Dong is a POS, period. Open one up and you will see.

I'd rather not open it now, since it may be possible to return it, but if I have to keep it for any reason, I'll open it and post pics here for the lulz

Thanks!!
 

ReplicaX

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That's a difficul thing. Here all JAMMA PCBs are expensive as hell, even boots are expensive. Besides, I only have 4 JAMMA boards so far: an Atomiswave, an MV2F, a boot Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and a broken MV1C. Of all, the only candidate would be the MV1C, but I am afraid it will not load the PS enough, because it throws some memory errors on boot, does not even show the crosshatch, therefore I think it does not access the cartridge.



Thanks for the tip on the potentiometer, Atro however being this thing is new, with warranty (I guess) then I'd rather not even open it. However if I have to keep it for any reason, I may try what you suggested :)




I'd rather not open it now, since it may be possible to return it, but if I have to keep it for any reason, I'll open it and post pics here for the lulz

Thanks!!

Yeah don't open it, get a refund. That comment was specifically targeted at the member quoted: DNSDies
 

skate323k137

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The power pros are decent. The only problem I have with them is I had 2 in a row where the 12v was way too high. With 5v set correctly, the 12v was around 13v. It never did cause me any problems but it's something to keep in mind.

My favorite PSU was the meanwell MWP 606, but I can never find them any more :(
 

Xian Xi

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skate323k137

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Huh, I've had 3 meanwells in daily use, 2 on superguns, one in my one slot cab. They've been solid for years.
 

ReplicaX

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That PowerPro by Suzo is not a Peter Chou, I guess they stopped carrying the Peter Chou 15A JAMMA PSUs. A shame really...
 

bustedstr8

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It looks like it's at the end of the termination block. Spec sheet says it adjust 4.75V~5.5V
 
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