DC into AC power supply - how?

Skybird · 07-12-06, 07:05 AM

Does anyone know how to turn a DC-power supply into an AC-unit ? I need to replace the small PS for a very old chess computer of mine, but not only that I need to manually change plugs, i also need to find a workaround for these PSUs being DC for the most (Germany). Someone was claiming on a chess site that the trick is easy to do, but he left before telling me how to do it. We are talking about small plug-devices, 8.5-9V, 1500mA.

XabbaRus · 07-12-06, 07:17 AM

Not without a serious piece of kit. Just asked my electrical engineer.

To actually turn the AC to DC adaptor that comes with your chess computer isn't possible.

Though maybe someone will show me I'm wrong.

Skybird · 07-12-06, 07:41 AM

Is a device totally non-functional when it needs AC, but gets DC? I simply do not know this kind of stuff. I can attach a wire and isolate it, if needed, and know in principle what A and V means, and that I need to keep an eye on these values when buying a power supply unit. But that is where my knowledge essentially is ending.

StdDev · 07-12-06, 08:28 AM

Turning AC (alternating current) into DC (direct current) is fairly easy.. turning DC into AC is a major PITA!
I can assure you that it will be easier (and most likely cheaper in the long run) to find the right king of PS somewhere on the internet.

Do you know exactly what the power requirements are for this device?

As far as an AC device being totally non-functional when supplied with DC .. it depends on the device.. some simple things like some computer speakers will actually work with DC when AC is specified. The best way to test is to try.. as long as you get the Voltage correct and the amps fairly close.. otherwise you will let all the magic smoke out of the electrical components inside the device!

Skybird · 07-12-06, 08:58 AM

Hm, since some minutes, I do not need one device, but two.

First is for a Fidelity Chess Challenger Voice (1979)It demands 8.5V AC (9V still doing well) and 1100 mA (1000 still working well), and alternate current. It is likely that I solved this thing by finding an AC device that matches these values, I just need to cut the wires and attach the old 2-pin-plug to it, isolate it, and hope it works.Second is more tricky, a Fidelity Chess Challenger Sensory Champion (1982). It wants to be feeded with 8.5V (9V) AC and 1500mA. such a device I am seaaching for on the web, ebay, chess computer sites. So far in vain.Will try if the first power unit also works for the Champion, despite the lesser Amperes. I also did not manage to get positive replies from electronic stores if their are adapaters for thes terriubly old connectors. The computers have fixed wires ending in two-pin-connectors, 1mm thick, 4 mm separate, however, the CC Voice has not two poins, but one pin is replaced by one small "square". These plugs I haven'T seen since went to school, and younger salesmen in the electronics sections of warehouses even do not know what I am talking of. Collecting old chess computers is nice - as long as nothing brakes down...

SUBMAN1 · 07-12-06, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Hm, since some minutes, I do not need one device, but two.

First is for a Fidelity Chess Challenger Voice (1979)It demands 8.5V AC (9V still doing well) and 1100 mA (1000 still working well), and alternate current. It is likely that I solved this thing by finding an AC device that matches these values, I just need to cut the wires and attach the old 2-pin-plug to it, isolate it, and hope it works.Second is more tricky, a Fidelity Chess Challenger Sensory Champion (1982). It wants to be feeded with 8.5V (9V) AC and 1500mA. such a device I am seaaching for on the web, ebay, chess computer sites. So far in vain.Will try if the first power unit also works for the Champion, despite the lesser Amperes. I also did not manage to get positive replies from electronic stores if their are adapaters for thes terriubly old connectors. The computers have fixed wires ending in two-pin-connectors, 1mm thick, 4 mm separate, however, the CC Voice has not two poins, but one pin is replaced by one small "square". These plugs I haven'T seen since went to school, and younger salesmen in the electronics sections of warehouses even do not know what I am talking of. Collecting old chess computers is nice - as long as nothing brakes down...

Hmm. I think I just threw away a Fidelity Chess Challenger from 1982 - comes in a golden brown box with yellowish beige and brown squares for the chess board, and the red LED display to call out moves. Had 2 of them - both had issues when they got hot to the point where the computer screwed up and forgot where its own peices were. All of them had this issue.

-S

PS. You best bet is a DC to AC car adapter. Only problem is, those things are bulky.

PPS. Play your game fast because the heat problem will screw you up.

07-12-06, 07:05 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,649 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	DC into AC power supply - how? Does anyone know how to turn a DC-power supply into an AC-unit ? I need to replace the small PS for a very old chess computer of mine, but not only that I need to manually change plugs, i also need to find a workaround for these PSUs being DC for the most (Germany). Someone was claiming on a chess site that the trick is easy to do, but he left before telling me how to do it. We are talking about small plug-devices, 8.5-9V, 1500mA. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-12-06, 07:17 AM	#2
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Not without a serious piece of kit. Just asked my electrical engineer. To actually turn the AC to DC adaptor that comes with your chess computer isn't possible. Though maybe someone will show me I'm wrong. __________________

07-12-06, 07:41 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,649 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Is a device totally non-functional when it needs AC, but gets DC? I simply do not know this kind of stuff. I can attach a wire and isolate it, if needed, and know in principle what A and V means, and that I need to keep an eye on these values when buying a power supply unit. But that is where my knowledge essentially is ending. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-12-06, 08:58 AM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,649 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Hm, since some minutes, I do not need one device, but two. First is for a Fidelity Chess Challenger Voice (1979)It demands 8.5V AC (9V still doing well) and 1100 mA (1000 still working well), and alternate current. It is likely that I solved this thing by finding an AC device that matches these values, I just need to cut the wires and attach the old 2-pin-plug to it, isolate it, and hope it works.Second is more tricky, a Fidelity Chess Challenger Sensory Champion (1982). It wants to be feeded with 8.5V (9V) AC and 1500mA. such a device I am seaaching for on the web, ebay, chess computer sites. So far in vain.Will try if the first power unit also works for the Champion, despite the lesser Amperes. I also did not manage to get positive replies from electronic stores if their are adapaters for thes terriubly old connectors. The computers have fixed wires ending in two-pin-connectors, 1mm thick, 4 mm separate, however, the CC Voice has not two poins, but one pin is replaced by one small "square". These plugs I haven'T seen since went to school, and younger salesmen in the electronics sections of warehouses even do not know what I am talking of. Collecting old chess computers is nice - as long as nothing brakes down... __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-12-06, 08:28 AM	#4
StdDev Legend of the Sea Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the Great Wet North Posts: 635 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Turning AC (alternating current) into DC (direct current) is fairly easy.. turning DC into AC is a major PITA! I can assure you that it will be easier (and most likely cheaper in the long run) to find the right king of PS somewhere on the internet. Do you know exactly what the power requirements are for this device? As far as an AC device being totally non-functional when supplied with DC .. it depends on the device.. some simple things like some computer speakers will actually work with DC when AC is specified. The best way to test is to try.. as long as you get the Voltage correct and the amps fairly close.. otherwise you will let all the magic smoke out of the electrical components inside the device!