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Atari 400: Stock psu is 3A... is 1A psu ok?

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luvit

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Feb 16, 2014
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east of Newark, Oh i;m luvit
I got an Atari 400 without a power brick.
I'll pay an arm and a leg after shipping, but I found a 1A brick..
I know stock is 3A and I've read another guy using 2.5A..
If I recall from previous experiences, an under powered brick (amperage) will damage the device it's trying to power..
 
Atari shipped the 400 with several different power supplies over its production run, the smallest being 9 VAC @ 1.7 amps (15.3 VA).

A 1-amp supply will probably work fine. Just feel it every once in a while to make sure it's not running too hot.

From the Atari 8-bit FAQ:

Code: 
N O R T H  A M E R I C A   INPUT = 115-120 V AC, 50/60Hz
========================
AC supplies (external transformers)
  9 V AC  5.4 VA  (600 mA)  Atari#CO62195/CO17539
    1030

  9 V AC  4.5 VA  (500 mA)  Atari#CO61516
    1010

  9 V AC  15.3 VA  (1.7 A)  Atari#CO14319
    400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL

  9 V AC  18 VA  (2.0 A)  Atari#CA014748/CA016804
    400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810

  9 V AC  31 VA  (3.4 A)  Atari#CO17945
    400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810,1020,1050,XF551

  9 V AC  50 VA  (5.6 A)  Atari#CA017964
    400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810,1020,1050,XF551
 
Hi Luvit. Listen, do be careful with it as it can indeed stress the computer if it can't draw enough power. Look for overheating with the computer as well as the power brick, or if the 400 has trouble initializing. I see a number of suitable Atari bricks on eBay for less than $20 shipped. I would be very tempted to snag one of them since they are easier to find than a 400.
 
Yeah.. I'm nervous about it.
I'll wait until I come across an appropriate AC adapter.
I don't have a thing for 400, so I'm not in a rush, yet.. and I'll save $20 if my luck is good. :)
I don't want to spend$20 and find the system is dead.. that would be Murphy's law.
 
Are you raiding your local thrift and goodwill stores regularly? I've grabbed quite a few working power adapters from those, of course not original brand but 9V is 9V no matter the manufacturer. For that matter, I've read the 1.7A one was considered just barely adequate, at least for the 800 model, so it probably is wise to look for something beefier.
 
A 1A supply might power the unit fine, but things like the tape player and other peripherals draw power from the computer. You might not have enough power to add things to the computer with a smaller supply. Best to get the right one.
 
carlsson said:
Are you raiding your local thrift and goodwill stores regularly? I've grabbed quite a few working power adapters from those, of course not original brand but 9V is 9V no matter the manufacturer. For that matter, I've read the 1.7A one was considered just barely adequate, at least for the 800 model, so it probably is wise to look for something beefier.
Click to expand...
yessir.. i pass 3 everyday.. always walking out with the weird doodads. I usually pickup any AC adapter that reaches 1A with a standard voltage.. however that's the beefiest they ever seem to have..
like i said.. if I can stumble upon one for cheap, i'll hang-in there. -- thanks for the info on 1.7A :)
 
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