*** This is a top of the line power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console. This power supply has excellent build quality. ***

This is a factory new 100% compatible power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system. This is a high-end replacement power supply for the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system.

 


Questions and Answers

 

Question: What Mattel products is this power supply compatible with?

Answer: This power supply is for use only with the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system and attached hardware components designed for that system. When the Mattel Intellivoice Voice Synthesis Module and Mattel System Changer are connected to the Intellivision II, this power supply will power those connected devices also. However, this power supply is not compatible with the original Intellivision videogame system since that system has its own built in power supply.     

Question: How does the quality of this third-party AC to AC power supply compare to my original Mattel Intellivision II power supply model number 5872-9629?

Answer: This power supply is slightly better quality when compared to the original Mattel power supply. There have been major improvements in the design of AC to DC power supplies over the last 40+ years, however in the last 40+ years there has only been minor improvements when it comes to AC to AC power supplies. In fact, finding an AC to AC power supply on the market is rare since many companies have decided to only make DC power supplies. This AC to AC power supply is UL listed which is a safety certification for the USA market. In addition, this power supply has the Canadian CUL safety certification. This power supply has the required Energy Efficiency Level VI certification by the Department of Energy (DOE). This power supply is RoHS complaint too. Currently this is the only level VI approved AC power supply on the North American market that will work with the Mattel Intellivision II videogame system.

Question: One of my original Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supplies has a label on it that says it outputs 16.2 volts AC at 0.955 amps. The other Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply has a label on it that says it outputs 16.7 volts AC at 1 amp. Why does this third-party power supply have a label on it that says it outputs 16 volts AC at 0.75 amps?

Answer: Unregulated AC to AC power supplies are much more complicated when compared to regulated AC to DC power supplies that most people normally use. All consumer AC to AC power supplies on the market have unregulated designs, which means there is a load curve from zero load to full load. For example, the original Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply label on it says 16.2 volts AC at 0.955 amps, and under real world conditions has a no-load voltage of around 18.46 volts AC. When the Mattel Intellivision II 5872-9629 power supply is under a load from the Intellivision II console, it is outputting around 17.69 volts AC and around 17.37 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is connected. When the Mattel 5872-9629 power supply is connected to the Intellivision II, it never outputs 16.2 volts AC, and will always output around 17.69 volts AC and around 17.37 volts AC when under a load. The only way to get the original unregulated Mattel 5872-9629 AC power supply to output 16.2 volts AC or around 16 volts AC would be to disconnect it from the Mattel Intellivision II and place it on a actual hardware device that would draw around 0.955 amps, then the voltage would drop down to around 16 volts or 16.2 volts AC because of the load curve.

This third-party power supply that has a label on it that says 16 volts AC at 0.75 amps works perfectly with the Intellivision II and according to the load curve data is a perfect match. For example, this third-party power supply according to the specs has a voltage rating of 20 volts AC when there is no load (zero current draw). Under real world conditions we measured around 19.64 volts AC when there is no load. However as soon as the Mattel Intellivision II is drawing a load, this power supply outputs around 17.82 volts AC and around 17.32 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is connected. Around 17.82 volts AC and around 17.32 volts AC is the proper voltage to use with the Mattel Intellivision II and is almost a perfect match according to the load curve data.  24 x 7 for around 30 days using two separate Mattel Intellivision II systems with two separate voice synthesis modules attached to each system, we tested this third-party power supply. Everything worked perfectly fine on both Intellivision II videogame systems. Using this power supply, the Mattel Intellivision II when the voice synthesis module is connected will not drop below 17.32 volts AC while under a load. This third-party AC power supply because of the unregulated voltage curve will only output around 16 volts AC when under a full load of 0.75 amps, and the Intellivision II videogame system never draws that much current even when its massively loaded with hardware. Since the original Mattel Intellivision II power supply outputs around 17.37 volts AC when the voice synthesis module is attached, this third party power supply with a voltage output of around 17.32 volts AC is almost a perfect match.

Question: Why does this third-party power supply offer around 0.25 amps less when compared to the original Mattel 5872-9629 power supply?

Answer: Back in 2015 there use to be 16 volt AC to AC power supplies in production that had 2 amp capacity and 1 amp capacity. At the end of the year 2015 all 16 volt AC power supplies designed for the USA consumer market went out of production, and when the new Feb 2016 level VI energy efficiency law went into effect by the Department of Energy, AC to AC power supply companies decided to design only 16 volt AC to AC power supplies with a maximum capacity of 0.75 amps for the consumer market. It is technically possible for a power supply company to make a level VI approved 16 volt AC to AC power supply that has a 1 amp capacity output, however it would cost around $15,000 to get such a power supply UL tested. Because of the lack of demand for AC to AC power supplies there is a possibility that no company will every make a 16 volt AC to AC power supply with a 1 amp capacity that is level VI rated. The premium materials and overdesign required to meet Level VI makes the parts more expensive. Also, the $15,000 investment for UL testing makes it hard for power supply companies to justify designing a second generation of higher capacity level VI approved AC to AC power supplies. However, we have verified that the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console fully loaded with hardware devices uses only a small amount of the 0.75 amp capacity on this third party power supply. This third party power supply is an ideal power supply for use with the Intellivision II videogame console.     

Question: My original Mattel 5872-9629 power supply does not need an adapter plug. Why do I need to use one of the enclosed adapter plugs on this third-party power supply? Is the original Mattel 5879-9629 power supply a better power supply to use with my Intellivision II?

Answer: Currently all level VI rated AC to AC power supplies are only offered with the standard barrel plug size of 2.1 x 5.5 x 11mm, and the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console requires a plug size of 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm. Therefore, we enclosed two different styles of adapter plugs for use with this third-party power supply so that it can be used with the Intellivision II videogame console. Yes, in the ideal world not having to use an adapter plug with a power supply would be ideal, however we were informed that to special order this third-party power supply with a custom 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm plug, that the factory in China would require a minimum order of 500 power supplies to make that change to a custom size plug. While there exists third party companies in the USA that under ideal conditions for a fee can cut off the 2.1 x 5.5 x 11mm plug at the end of the cord and mold on a new custom 2.5 x 5.5 x 11mm plug, however because of the minimum QTY required of between 50-100 power supplies, we decided to instead offer this power supply with two different styles of adapter plugs to choose from. This third-party power supply is slightly better quality when compared to the original Mattel power supply, however since one does not need to use an adapter plug on the original Mattel power supply, then for this reason the Mattel power supply is an overall better power supply to use with the Intellivision II. The main purpose of this third party power supply is to offer a replacement power supply for those that need a new power supply for their Intellivision II videogame console, since the old original Mattel early 80’s model is out of production.   

Question: Can I use this power supply with other products that I own that need 16 volts AC and what would happen if the current draw on the device I connect to this power supply starts to draw more than 0.75 amps?

Answer: Because of the load curve on all consumer unregulated AC power supplies, one needs to be careful with the products they use this power supply with. The load curve for this power supply under real word conditions is between 19.64 volts to 16 volts AC. This third party power supply will only output around 16 volts AC when the load is 0.75 amps. Since the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console with the voice synthesis module attached draws a small amount of the 0.75 amp power supply capacity, then this third party power supply outputs around 17.32 volts AC when used with that Mattel product. However, one should never use this power supply with a product that requires more than 0.75 amps, since the voltage would drop below 16 volts AC and destroy the power supply. Unregulated AC power supplies have a small safety margin where the fuse in the power supply will not open if there is a brief current draw that goes over 0.75 amps for only a few seconds. AC to AC transformers are not designed for the user to exceed the output current.  Given an overload condition, they will start to heat-up and internal built-in safety mechanisms (fuse) will open, permanently destroying the power supply. These power supplies are sealed at the factory and were not designed to be opened up for a user to replace the fuse, also the 10-year manufactory warranty would most likely not be honored if the consumer abused the power supply and went over the stated current of 0.75 amps.  

Question: Why is this power supply only offered in North America, what if I wanted to use this power supply on 220 volts at 50Hz?

Answer: This power supply would be permanently destroyed and the internal fuse would blow if connected to 220 volts at 50Hz.  All consumer AC to AC power supplies are made for either 120 volts AC at 60Hz or 220 volts AC at 50Hz. In the 21st Century major technological advances have been made on worldwide regulated AC to DC power supplies that work between 100-240 volts AC at 50-60Hz. However, because of that lack of consumer demand for unregulated AC to AC power supplies being used in the 21st Century, the research and development costs have not been spent to make AC to AC power supplies work worldwide between 100-240 volt AC at 50-60Hz. Therefore, all consumer AC to AC power supplies for the North America market are still designed to only work with 120 volts AC at 60Hz. There are power supply companies in Europe that do make AC to AC power supplies that work at only 220 volts at 50Hz, and one might be able to locate one that works with the Mattel Intellivision II videogame console.



*** Disclaimer *** Only the enclosed high quality power supply is UL listed and tested. However, the included high quality very small female 2.1mm x 5.5mm to male 2.5mm x 5.5mm adapter plug is not UL listed or tested. Keep in mind UL certification is an optional certification in the United States and is not required, and in fact no one makes a female 2.1mm x 5.5mm to male 2.5mm x 5.5mm adapter plug that has received UL certification (If a UL listed adapter plug existed we would bundle it with this UL listed power supply).


*** Comes with two different styles of adapter plugs. Both work with the Intellivision II, choose the one you prefer to use with the power supply. ***