Is there an inductor in the N64 Wallwart?

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:02 pm

I heard there was... Anyway, I opened mine up, but could only find a transformer. Here's a (horrible) picture I took. Sorry, the focus on my camera just does NOT work at all.

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:20 pm

i think the cylinder with wire around it in the lower-right corner of the pic is an inductor. could be wring though but i'm pretty sure. there's also a litle round thing hidden in the corner of a heat sink on mine that i think might be an inductor

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:42 pm

i thought that the bottom right thing was an inductor too.

the transformer windings would act like an inductor too.

heck, if youre in a pinch you can just wrap some wire around a nail.

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:43 pm

I don't think that cylinder in the lower right corner is an inductor, since it has two sets of wires wound around it. Two sets of wires makes it a transformer, right? I see the part hidden by the heatsink in the upper right hand corner as well. Could very well be an inductor, the PCB names it L101, like that helps. I'll try lifting up the cover.

EDIT: So if I just wire up the primary of a transformer, that'll function as an inductor? Awesome.

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:49 pm

yeah an inductor is just coiled wire. i've seen indictors with multiple wires

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:52 pm

Cool. You're sure I don't have to have a ferrite core or anything?

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:53 pm

people have made inductors with McDonalds straws before or even without cores. it doesn't really matter

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:09 pm

the symbol for inductance is 'L'. it is likely that L101 is an inductor. regardless of what the bottom thing is it looks like it would make a good inductor.

the presence of a ferrous core affects the inductance. obviosuly its much higer with the core. depends on how much inductance you need..

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:44 pm

Oh alright, cool. I'll try desoldering it tomorrow or Thursday, and post what I find out. For this application do you think it would be okay to just use an air core, 24-26g enameled magnet wire (because of its stiffness)?

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:37 pm

i honestly have no clue. it takes 5 min to test though. so just see what happens

Krepticor · Post by **Krepticor** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:03 am

inductance means that the turns of wires are creating small areas where the currect is creating a magnetic field

Transformers are actually two inductions with a metal core connecting them(to make them behave nicer)

The magnetic fields created by the AC current in the primary affects the secondary and creates current.

This is why transformers do not work in DC current Because a magnetic field is created by a changing current and a current is created by a changing magnetic field

I can go into more detail if desired but i feel this should be enough

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:34 am

you didnt happen to read that in the wiki did you?

well if you didnt, then go look at the article and add to it.

Krepticor · Post by **Krepticor** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:16 pm

nope just regurgitating my physics lectures in college

Spent nearly 7/8 of the semester on electricity

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:47 pm

yeah, im studying for my exam - 1st year uni physics. im almost to the part on inductace... the integration hurts my mind.

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:50 pm

what are you guys studying for your major?