I just read an FAQ on GameFAQs, it said that there is little chance of the system blowing up, because Japan's voltage is 100v, and the USA is 110v. Is this really true?

Blowing up isn't quite the right term, but it is possible for the Famicom to burn out  -- maybe not the best term either -- if you use the wrong power adaptor. Some have argued that using a power adaptor expecting 110v in the US, which is 120v, could be a problem, because the Famicom will slowly fry. I've heard that isn't true because the Famicom has a voltage regulator that can handle it. I use a power converter that I place between the outlet and the power adaptor that lowers the power to 110v 100v (I have a Japanese power adpator) -- so the Famicom doesn't have to.

wrote on 27. Sep 2008 at 04:26:

Blowing up isn't quite the right term, but it is possible for the Famicom to burn out  -- maybe not the best term either -- if you use the wrong power adaptor. Some have argued that using a power adaptor expecting 110v in the US, which is 120v, could be a problem, because the Famicom will slowly fry. I've heard that isn't true because the Famicom has a voltage regulator that can handle it. I use a power converter that I place between the outlet and the power adaptor that lowers the power to 110v -- so the Famicom doesn't have to.

Where do I get one of those? And I don't remember what voltage the adaptor I got has.

I use the one in the pic on this page:

http://www.famicomworld.com/Workshop/Famicom_AC_Adaptor.htm

I'm a little confused here. I looked on the back of the NES AC Adapter (an official one by Nintendo), and I saw a 120V thing on the back, and I think my Famicom adapter said 110V

The NES was a US release, so it'd have the proper regulation of 120v for US use. The Famicom was a JP release, so it'd have the proper regulation of 110v for JP use; hence, the need for conversion in the US.

DO NOT USE YOUR NES ADAPTOR WITH YOUR FAMICOM -- that'll make it "blow up."

wrote on 30. Sep 2008 at 04:48:

DO NOT USE YOUR NES ADAPTOR WITH YOUR FAMICOM -- that'll make it "blow up."

I never did. :)

But if the Famicom adapter is 110v, why does it need a 100v outlet to plug into?

Correction: You have 110V, which is a Taiwanese Famicom. Japan's is 100V. So, you'd need a different converter from the one I linked. TPE Famicoms don't pop up very often, so that's why I didn't immediately notice the voltage difference.

TPE?

Taipei -- the initials used to identify where the Famicom comes from. Japan Famicom items are mostly HVC (Home Video Computer) or FMC (FaMily Computer). Taiwan Famicom items are TPE (TaiPEi). And Hong Kong Famicom stuff is HKG (Hong KonG).

Wait, the USA's voltage is 110v you said, right? And the voltage for the Famicom adapter I have (don't know about the model of the system I have) is 110v, so wait, what's the power converter do exactly if this AC adapter is already 110v?

Reread earlier posts. :P

US is 120v. So, you'll be pumping an extra 10v into the Famicom. Remember, the Famicom has a voltage regulator and should be able to handle the extra 10v, but it's your choice to convert or not convert.

Oh I'm gonna convert. BTW, how do I tell if the Famicom, not the adapter is Taiwan or not? Also, I can't find a 110v converter on voltageconverters.com

Well, you should be able to look at the bottom of the Famicom. It should say HVC and that's it, or it'll also have TPE or HKG. Sometimes the code looks like this: HVC-001HKG.

And I can't help with the converter...try searching on Google. It might be the case that because 110v is so close to 120v, they might not make converters for that.

The bottom of mine says HVC-002. I guess that means the model's japanese, so my system must be in danger, because I'm using a 110v adapter on a japanese system.

Hmm...it's unusual that you got a Taiwanese adaptor but a Japanese Famicom, but I guess it's possible. And there actually may not be a problem with the output from the adaptor to the Famicom. If you compare the Japanese and Taiwanese Famicom outputs, they're both DC10V 850mA, + ------ C------- -. The only problem then is the input from the outlet to the adaptor, which is a +10V into the adaptor, again with the Famicom having a voltage regulator to help cope.

wrote on 08. Oct 2008 at 20:48:

Hmm...it's unusual that you got a Taiwanese adaptor but a Japanese Famicom, but I guess it's possible. And there actually may not be a problem with the output from the adaptor to the Famicom. If you compare the Japanese and Taiwanese Famicom outputs, they're both DC10V 850mA, + ------ C------- -. The only problem then is the input from the outlet to the adaptor, which is a +10V into the adaptor, again with the Famicom having a voltage regulator to help cope.

So what should I do to be on the safe side?

I use a converter and will alway recommend using one -- though the Famicom can handle extra V, it wasn't built for a consistent or constant input of extra V, I'd imagine. I don't know how easy it will be to find a converter for a 10V difference.

wrote on 11. Oct 2008 at 00:08:

I use a converter and will alway recommend using one -- though the Famicom can handle extra V, it wasn't built for a consistent or constant input of extra V, I'd imagine. I don't know how easy it will be to find a converter for a 10V difference.

I was referring to the fact that I've been using a Taiwanese adapter with a japanese system...