N64 intermittent (very strange) power issue

My N64 worked fine before I stored it in my retro chest.

Took it out to use it about an hour ago and it would not switch on. Nothing not even the red power light.

Checked all the cables and unplugged / plugged everything in again and still nothing.

Took out the fuse from the 3 pin UK factory fitted plug and put it in again and it worked for about 10 minutes and died.

Again would refuse to switch on. Tried taking out and putting back the fuse and it worked for a few seconds and died again.

Did the same 3 times and it works and dies after a bit every time.

I don't get it . Its not blowing the fuse as i keep using the same fuse but what seems to get it to work is removing and putting fuse back in the plug.

Any ideas what might be screwing up ?

EDIT: The fuse is 5AMPS which is strange for a UK plug. I just put in a 13AMP fuse and testing.

EDIT 2: So far its been working fine

EDIT 3: Again its not working! What is up ? PSU ? Console ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dougal

EDIT: The fuse is 5AMPS which is strange for a UK plug. I just put in a 13AMP fuse and testing.

EDIT 2: So far its been working fine

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I have a nice house for sale here in beautiful Norway, we don't use silly fuses in our outlets (radial and not ring circuits)

is the clamp holder for the fuse loose?

also 3 amps is more than enough.you wont need anything higher.

better to test the basics first.

A UK 13 amp plug means that the plug it self is rated for use with "up to" 13amps. 3 or 5 amps for an N64 what you are after in this case. In my experience the PSU can often go on these but I'm sure you can easily replace it. If you have a multi-meter you could always check and see what the psu is actually providing. My guess is it's coming up a bit short

a tired (worn) fuse can cause this issue(especially if slow blow), I get this in vending machines, fuse tests ok but under load and short amount of time fails and then open circuit until cooled or disturbed (you take it out the plug and put back in)

replace that 13amp with a new 3amp we are talking pence here and 13amp is too much.

3 amp = about 700 watts (run a gaming pc)
13 amp = 3100 watts run a kettle / electric heater or microwave.

A N64 uses about 25 watts of power (if you remove the PSU and use batteries its around 6 watts 3.3v and 12v) 8*AA batteries could run it for 90 minutes :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

a tired (worn) fuse can cause this issue(especially if slow blow), I get this in vending machines, fuse tests ok but under load and short amount of time fails and then open circuit until cooled or disturbed (you take it out the plug and put back in)

replace that 13amp with a new 3amp we are talking pence here and 13amp is too much.

3 amp = about 700 watts (run a gaming pc)
13 amp = 3100 watts run a kettle / electric heater or microwave.

A N64 uses about 25 watts of power (if you remove the PSU and use batteries its around 6 watts 3.3v and 12v) 8*AA batteries could run it for 90 minutes :)

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Very interesting observation. Well the only fuse I had handy was a 13amp but tomorrow i'll go out and buy a couple of fuses (3-5amps) and replace the 13amp one with a 3 or 5amp like you said.

Having said that, considering USA and EU plugs do not even have fuses am I harming or risking the N64 or its PSU by using a 13amp rated fuse ?

---------- Post added at 22:34 ---------- Previous post was at 22:31 ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BluesBrothers

A UK 13 amp plug means that the plug it self is rated for use with "up to" 13amps. 3 or 5 amps for an N64 what you are after in this case. In my experience the PSU can often go on these but I'm sure you can easily replace it. If you have a multi-meter you could always check and see what the psu is actually providing. My guess is it's coming up a bit short

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I doubt its a short as the console is working fine with the 13amp fuse and the 5amp fuse (factory) was not blowing.

Can't check the PSU with the multi-meter as the prongs are too large for the plug (console end) of the PSU.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dougal

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

a tired (worn) fuse can cause this issue(especially if slow blow), I get this in vending machines, fuse tests ok but under load and short amount of time fails and then open circuit until cooled or disturbed (you take it out the plug and put back in)

replace that 13amp with a new 3amp we are talking pence here and 13amp is too much.

3 amp = about 700 watts (run a gaming pc)
13 amp = 3100 watts run a kettle / electric heater or microwave.

A N64 uses about 25 watts of power (if you remove the PSU and use batteries its around 6 watts 3.3v and 12v) 8*AA batteries could run it for 90 minutes :)

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Very interesting observation. Well the only fuse I had handy was a 13amp but tomorrow i'll go out and buy a couple of fuses (3-5amps) and replace the 13amp one with a 3 or 5amp like you said.

Having said that, considering USA and EU plugs do not even have fuses am I harming or risking the N64 or its PSU by using a 13amp rated fuse ?

---------- Post added at 22:34 ---------- Previous post was at 22:31 ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BluesBrothers

A UK 13 amp plug means that the plug it self is rated for use with "up to" 13amps. 3 or 5 amps for an N64 what you are after in this case. In my experience the PSU can often go on these but I'm sure you can easily replace it. If you have a multi-meter you could always check and see what the psu is actually providing. My guess is it's coming up a bit short

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I doubt its a short as the console is working fine with the 13amp fuse and the 5amp fuse (factory) was not blowing.

Can't check the PSU with the multi-meter as the prongs are too large for the plug (console end) of the PSU.

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it wont hurt it.

but,you are meant to use a smaller rated fuse for protection.

I would be lifting the lid off the console and checking what the psu is outputting under load from the connections inside the console

Quote:

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Having said that, considering USA and EU plugs do not even have fuses am I harming or risking the N64 or its PSU by using a 13amp rated fuse ?

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If anything goes wrong then 3 amp/700 watts will zap through the psu rather than 13 amp/3100 Watts, as Roy says it's for protection incase anything goes wrong.

I'm a time served electrician and the lower the fuse the safer it is.

there is a reason why your house fuses (breakers) are 32A, 20A, 15A etc. you always use the minimum you can.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

Quote:

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Having said that, considering USA and EU plugs do not even have fuses am I harming or risking the N64 or its PSU by using a 13amp rated fuse ?

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If anything goes wrong then 3 amp/700 watts will zap through the psu rather than 13 amp/3100 Watts, as Roy says it's for protection incase anything goes wrong.

I'm a time served electrician and the lower the fuse the safer it is.

there is a reason why your house fuses (breakers) are 32A, 20A, 15A etc. you always use the minimum you can.

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Sound advice:thumbsup:

I've been curious on this fuse stuff since i've bought some computers from uk.

Most of the world uses radial circuits:
http://www.aboutelectricity.co.uk/im...-circuit-s.JPG


The downside is that the cables have to be sized after the entire load of the connected circuits. Which is the reason for the uk ring circuit:

http://www.aboutelectricity.co.uk/im...-circuit-s.JPG

After the war there was apparently a shortage in copper, and by making the circuits a full circle you don't need the same gauge. So two 15A radial would become a 30A ring.

The downside of a ring circuit is however overcurrent protection. Which is the reason for the fuses.

the electricians might offer a more detailed explanation. I just had to get a basic understanding for it since it puzzled me. ;)

Again its not working. I don't get it ?!?

Is it PSU ? Console ?

---------- Post added at 13:03 ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 ----------

This time it wont work at all now :(

Its working again but tempermental like before. Fuse needs to come out for a minute or so and then put back in and it works fine for a bit, could be 1 minute could be 30 minutes or more.

Could there be some problem causing some memory effect in the PSU to shut down for a while ?

This is probably a long-shot, but I recall that, in late 1997, Nintendo Europe had to issue a recall for some SNES and N64 power supplies that were faulty. Could it possibly be one of those that slipped through the net, and somehow managed to last this long?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NinjaRabbit

This is probably a long-shot, but I recall that, in late 1997, Nintendo Europe had to issue a recall for some SNES and N64 power supplies that were faulty. Could it possibly be one of those that slipped through the net, and somehow managed to last this long?

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Hmm do you think the offer is still on for nintendo to replace it ? Lol

Could the problem be dry solder in the PSU? I so how can I diagnose / fix it ?

What is strange it is not always the same, sometimes dies after a minute and sometimes 5, 10 , 20 , 30 or more minutes before it dies.

Also sometimes instead of going dead the power LED remains on but screen and sound die (black screen no sound) but more often than not the power LED goes off.



---------- Post added at 08:47 ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 ----------

http://youtu.be/NKpi1_KFkiY

Showing the problem

---------- Post added at 09:32 ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 ----------

Its Saturday morning so I have time to attempt a repair and the electronics shops are open for the next 2 or 3 hours in case I need any components. So I just need some idea what could be wrong.

have you tried just unplugging and plugging back in ?? do you HAVE to remove and re-fit the fuse ??

If its the latter cut of the plug and fit a new one ?

see if you can get a replacement power supply.(after chopping the plug off and replacing it with a new one one)

see if moving the lead about while its on cuts power.

the next test would be testing the n64's power switch and any regulators for cut out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roy_bates

see if you can get a replacement power supply.(after chopping the plug off and replacing it with a new one one)

see if moving the lead about while its on cuts power.

the next test would be testing the n64's power switch and any regulators for cut out.

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When its on i tried moving the wires and it does not cut out and the power switch is fine too.

It looks like from what he's describing a Micro Fracture that breaks contact under heat (very small amount) and then when unplugged to cool (the PSU not N64) it re-connects.

the fuse removal could just be confusing the issue hence why I asked if just carefully unplugging the PSU then after a minute or so plug back in does it work or does the fuse HAVE to be removed/re-fitted.

clear as mud :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

have you tried just unplugging and plugging back in ?? do you HAVE to remove and re-fit the fuse ??

If its the latter cut of the plug and fit a new one ?

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I've tried unplugging without remove/fit fuse and it does not work.

I have not tried replacing the plug but i don't see how the plug would have anything to do with it ? Correct me if i'm wrong though.

^^ beacuse you have to remove the fuse.

this should have NO bearing on the issue if you have replaced the fuse.

all you are doing taking the fuse out is causing an open circuit from the LIVE pin to the fuse terminal a distance of 2 inches. if unplugging and plugging back in after a while does NOT work but fiddling with the fuse DOES then replace the plug to remove any probability the actual plug/fuse holder is at issue.

<< electrician. remove any doubt.

---------- Post added at 10:30 ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 ----------

and cheapest option like 99p or whatever (B&Q)

can you take the power supply apart for inspection?


while its off of course.

If i don't remove the fuse it needs more time before i can plug it in, say 2 minutes and it dies after about 2 or 3 seconds.

If i remove the fuse it takes maybe 15 seconds and then i plug it in and it lasts 1min to 20 minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

^^ beacuse you have to remove the fuse.

this should have NO bearing on the issue if you have replaced the fuse.

all you are doing taking the fuse out is causing an open circuit from the LIVE pin to the fuse terminal a distance of 2 inches. if unplugging and plugging back in after a while does NOT work but fiddling with the fuse DOES then replace the plug to remove any probability the actual plug/fuse holder is at issue.

<< electrician. remove any doubt.

---------- Post added at 10:30 ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 ----------

and cheapest option like 99p or whatever (B&Q)

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yes,first port of call.replace the plug:)
cheapest option and simplest first.


second thing i would do after that is open the power supply for inspection,check for dry joints bad caps continuity etc.
third thing after that ,check the n64 itself power switch regulators micro fractures etc.

work from the power supply first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roy_bates

can you take the power supply apart for inspection?


while its off of course.

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I opened it up but i don't understand too much. It looks good with no bulging or leaky caps.

:picard

because of the constant ?

EVERY time you remove the fuse 15 seconds it works when plugged back in 1-20 minutes

EVERY time you just unplug it you have to wait at least 2 minutes before it will work again ??

then its the PLUG, unless your timings are a bit more fluctual there is a constant and a cause can be replicated.

change the plug, it will cost you pennies and take about 10 minutes or less.

---------- Post added at 10:46 ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 ----------

even if its not the plug its still pennies and rules it out.

I've replaced the plug and the problem still persists

---------- Post added at 12:20 ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 ----------

It did it again... I started playing Golden Eye and after about 15 minutes the power went off.. I'm going to give it 2 minutes unplugged without removing the fuse and try again.

---------- Post added at 12:26 ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 ----------

Ok gave it 3 minutes off and unplugged.

Did NOT remove fuse.

Plugged in again after 3 minutes and it switched on and lasted two minutes before switching off.

---------- Post added at 12:30 ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 ----------

Now tried 15 seconds without fuse and it did not run.

Took fuse out again and left 30 seconds.

Put fuse back and plugged in and it lasted about 40 seconds and died again.

NOTE: When unplugged i keep the power switch on the console in the ON position. If i keep it on OFF and then switch on it seems to work even less frequently. Also pulling out the fuse and putting it back does seem to increase the chances that the N64 will power on and faster. I know it makes NO SENSE at all.

I will take the PSU apart and post a pic maybe it will help you guys tell me what to look for.

now you have ruled out the plug and can stop looking at the fuse, the timings with the fuse and unplugging it where just coincidental.

now its sound like a dry joint hopefully on the PSU psb, now to check this.

you need a multimeter set to DC voltage.

check all the pins on the output on the psu after you unplug it for 5 minutes so its working again.


Power Supply @N64
Pin Name Direction Description
1 GRND Ground
2 Vcc 3.3V 2.7A
3 Vcc 3.3V 2.7A
4 GRND Ground
5 GRND Ground
6 Vcc 12V 0,8A

check they match.

1:- then use the n64
2:- when the power dies DO NOT UNPLUG IT, (in its case not open as in below photos)
3:- remove PSU from N64 and check voltages as fast as you can, if all voltages are OK reconnect the PSU to N64 and confirm it does NOT work,
4:- If the N64 works again then keep repeating until either one of the voltages is missing/low or the N64 does not work when PSU is working,

this will rule out N64 or PSU issue and point to which is the issue.

Hence, if

1:- all the voltages are correct but N64 does not work then its N64
2:- One of the voltages is not correct after N64 dies then its PSU

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/uqe3e9ug.jpg

---------- Post added at 12:40 ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 ----------

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/u8agatev.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/re8u9e9y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/e2amy8yb.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/aqy4egut.jpg

---------- Post added at 12:52 ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 ----------

Problem is the prongs of my multimeter are too thick to fit in the tiny holes on the plug of the power lead.

---------- Post added at 12:55 ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

now you have ruled out the plug and can stop looking at the fuse, the timings with the fuse and unplugging it where just coincidental.

now its sound like a dry joint hopefully on the PSU psb, now to check this.

you need a multimeter set to DC voltage.

check all the pins on the output on the psu after you unplug it for 5 minutes so its working again.


Power Supply @N64
Pin Name Direction Description
1 GRND Ground
2 Vcc 3.3V 2.7A
3 Vcc 3.3V 2.7A
4 GRND Ground
5 GRND Ground
6 Vcc 12V 0,8A

check they match.

1:- then use the n64
2:- when the power dies DO NOT UNPLUG IT, (in its case not open as in below photos)
3:- remove PSU from N64 and check voltages as fast as you can, if all voltages are OK reconnect the PSU to N64 and confirm it does NOT work,
4:- If the N64 works again then keep repeating until either one of the voltages is missing/low or the N64 does not work when PSU is working,

this will rule out N64 or PSU issue and point to which is the issue.

Hence, if

1:- all the voltages are correct but N64 does not work then its N64
2:- One of the voltages is not correct after N64 dies then its PSU

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Thanks, i tried but the prongs of the multimeter are too thick to fit in the socket to test. Damn nintendo and their non-standard crap.

use croc clips (normally come with a good meter) and some thin wire ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sardine

use croc clips (normally come with a good meter) and some thin wire ?

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Damn i'll have to wait till Monday as I don't have any croc clips.

Well I could tape some wire to the prongs. I'll have a go.

---------- Post added at 13:21 ---------- Previous post was at 13:01 ----------

Ok tested...

The one that is meant to be 12V is 10.98v and the 3.3v ones are reading 3.53v. That is when the PSU has been unplugged for a bit and then plugged in, console tested working, unplugged again and read the voltages.

When it died about 10 minutes later i checked and ALL voltages again and the result for all was 0v.

So its the PSU... But why would it work, die and need to be unplugged ?

---------- Post added at 13:28 ---------- Previous post was at 13:21 ----------

I noticed, again could be coincidence that the switch on the console needs to be on the ON position before plugging the PSU into the wall socket again or else it won't power up.

Once it powers up it can be switched off and on again whilst the PSU is still feeding it power.

it might be overheating.
part of the power supply has failed,mains end as all the voltages go.(not the cable,its switchmode)


just get another power supply and forget this one.


still could be the n64 though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roy_bates

it might be overheating.
part of the power supply has failed,mains end as all the voltages go.(not the cable,its switchmode)


just get another power supply and forget this one.


still could be the n64 though.

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Can't it be repaired ?

---------- Post added at 13:48 ---------- Previous post was at 13:46 ----------

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-NEW-...item35cd55c2da

This looks cheap and cheerful. Brand new third party 100-250v from China.

What do you think ?

its up to you,personally i would get an official one.

I bought the brand new chinese one. I'm sure the technology in it and quality is better than a genuine used one which was built in the late 1990's and has been used for countless hours of gameplay.

Till it arrives from China and even for the sake of a project do you think there is anything i can do to fix my current power supply ? Maybe look for something or additional diagnosis?

if you dont know anything about electronics or have any test gear it would be a waist of time.

it might cost what you just paid for the new one in parts to fix the old one.

If you're not completely confident and competent with electronics then PSU repair is not the place to be starting. The psu is the bit than can go the most horribly wrong and it shouldn't really be tinkered with by amateurs. Seriously just use a replacement:thumbsup:.

Well i ordered it. Funny thing is i ordered it and paid and now i'm using the N64 for the last 1 hour and it has been working fine without switching off.

Well i doubt the PSU fixed itself, unless maybe it was giving problems because it has been in storage. In any case the replacement was cheap enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dougal

Well i ordered it. Funny thing is i ordered it and paid and now i'm using the N64 for the last 1 hour and it has been working fine without switching off.

Well i doubt the PSU fixed itself, unless maybe it was giving problems because it has been in storage. In any case the replacement was cheap enough.

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tbh it's much better to have a replacement even if this fault went away as you never know when it'll be back and maybe it'll get worse and take the N64 with it. It'll be money well spent I'm sure:)

Yeah, after an hour and a half playing (record) it turned off again.

PSU hard to fix and not worth-it and i've ordered another one anyway.

Case closed.

Thanks for the help y'all :)

dont bin the old one just yet incase its the n64,youll find that out when the new supply arrives.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roy_bates

dont bin the old one just yet incase its the n64,youll find that out when the new supply arrives.

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No I def won't be binning it for now. I can still use it till the new one arrives for quick games :P

Is it possible that the controller was the cause of the problem ?

Tell you why.... I followed Nintendo's instructions from their website which said unplug all controllers, remove cart, unplug for 30 seconds and try again and add devices as i go along.

Did that and it switched on. Added a game and switched on and it stayed on for like 1 hour with no problem. Added controller and after a few minutes it died.

Repeated with ANOTHER controller and i've been playing Goldeneye 007 so far for the last 1 hour without any problems whatsoever.

dont know mate,never heard of that before.

Still playing... Will keep you posted

If the controller has a memory card plugged in that could cause it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tajmaster

If the controller has a memory card plugged in that could cause it?

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Nope it did not have any memory card or any other accessory plugged into it. And it is the official Nintendo controller that came with the console and in excellent condition, and the controls on it are working fine.

I have another 2 official controllers. The one i'm now using is a Japanese one (from the box at least) and brand new.

So far i am STILL playing and it has not shut off.

---------- Post added at 19:07 ---------- Previous post was at 18:39 ----------

FECK!! After over 2 hours play it powered down!

Well i'll wait for the new PSU to arrive. That had better solve the problem or else its the actual console.

Hello! An old thread I know, but did you ever resolve this?
Mine has a similar issue.
Thanks

I had to replace the power supply and it was fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scoupe

Hello! An old thread I know, but did you ever resolve this?
Mine has a similar issue.
Thanks

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