RF Switch

[133MHz]

I have one for heat producing appliances

Good that you bring that up. Those 'converters' labeled for heating appliances only (which usually are much lighter than a transformer and have ludicrous power ratings like 1500W for their small size) are no more than a simple rectifier diode in series with the power line. The diode only lets the current flow in one way, blocking the negative cycles of the alternating current, effectively chopping the waveform in half, so it's like the appliance SEES half the voltage since the current is only flowing half of the time. This works well for dumb things like space heaters and other resistive devices (you're effectively feeding them 220V, just half of the time so it LOOKS like 110V), but if you plug something electronic to it, like a TV or a Famicom console, the distorted high-voltage waveform is going to cause serious trouble, like letting the smoke out of your equipment .

In conclusion: don't buy these things, unless you're going to use them for heating appliances. For everything else use a proper step-down transformer. Don't be tempted by the low price and high power rating, unless you like blowing up your stuff.

I don't think I'll be bringing anything electronic though, maybe my laptop but probably not.

Laptop power supplies are universal, get a plug adapter and you're set.

[PatMan33]

But Mr. MHz, the magic smoke makes my salmon taste delicious!

[nintendodork]

110V

Typo, but anyway

Famicom AC adapter: 100V in, 10V out
Turns ratio: 10:1

for 110V in you get 11V out
for 120V in you get 12V out
and so on

So what y'all are tellin me....

I don't need any kind of converter at all for use of a Famicom in an American plug......right?

[PatMan33]

The general consensus is that you don't need one, though it doesn't hurt to have one. If you can't afford one or don't want to get one right now you will be perfectly fine.

[nintendodork]

How much are they usually?

[PatMan33]

The step down converters? I bought one a few months ago that was recommended by Famicom World here for 20 bucks.

[nintendodork]

Do you think I could get one of these in a store such as Walmart or Radio Shack?

[PatMan33]

*shrug*

No idea, probably not. Either way, online shopping is the way to go. If anything, the shipping costs are going to bring the discounted price up to anything you'd pay in the store. But at least this way you don't have to leave the house.

[nintendodork]

I may just have to look in our Walmart tomorrow, I'm either going to buy 2 Wii games and a DS game (130 Coins) or I'm gonna buy a CIB A/V modded Famicom....

[nurd]

AV modded famicom...

I suggest you just buy a Sharp Twin then.

[nintendodork]

thing is....AV Modded Famicom is alot cheaper than a Sharp


EDIT**  Bought the AV Modded Famicom from Famicomshop.com

Can't wait for it to get here!!

[Rob64]

Ok, it's christmas morning and it's my last present. I open it up and it's my old style famicom in a box! I bring it downstairs and hook it up, I get an unclear picture after doing all of the correct connections (ac adaptor it comes with, channel 95, and an rf switch from USA). I then switched the rf switches between my top loader and famicom, I turn it on and then I get to see the opening movie to THUNDERBIRDS. That feeling was just awesome!

But I am still confused, the rf switch I had set up for the famicom was the grey boxed rf switch that came with the toploader, and now uses the small black box. Both rf switches work with the top loader. What the heck? Can anyone explain this situation?

[satoshi_matrix]

The NES RF Adapter will work completely fine with a Famicom.

[Trium Shockwave]

I find that an NES RF switch gives a clearer signal than the one that came with my Famicom. It seemed to me the Famicom's RF switch was poorly shielded, and picked up a lot of interference. Even standing with my foot too close to the wire would cause the picture to go nuts.

[nintendodork]

Two words. 

A/V Mod....

Best quality on an original Famicom I've seen