Need to play racing games...

Hi guys,

I bought a Thrustmaster Ferrari F430 steering wheel from USA. I live in India by the way. I'm not getting any force feedback whatsoever from the device. It uses a 20V 750mA DC output and a 110V AC input adapter which I was using with a converter that is meant to be used with hair dryers.

As a result I don't know if I blew out the circuit in the adapter or what. All I know is that I am not getting force feedback from the steering wheel and I suspect that it is not receiving any power.

I went to the local electronics store and asked for an adapter that could convert around 220V AC to 20V DC and 750mA. But they said no such product is in stock.

I would really like to play racing games with force feedback. I reckon I'll only get force feedback if I find a way to power the device to the spec listed. (20V 750mA center positive.)

Hence I request you knowledgeable electronics whiz kids to provide me with options that may include:

1. Getting a power supply that converts 220V AC to 110V AC. Even then, I don't know if the adapter is dead or not.

2. A simple power supply that converts 220V AC to 20V 750mA DC center positive.

I do have experience with a solder iron. But basically just a beginner.

Your advice on this issue would be most appreciated.

Thank you electronic wizards for your time and look forward to your inputs.
Siddharth.

I would first get a good digital volt meter like a Fluke 115, it will serve you well for a very long time. If you don't want to spend so much there are fair meters for much less. You need to measure the voltage before you connect it to the Thrustmaster. I would also measure the hair dyer power supply to see what you already connected.

Many lap top power supplies are 19V and will run off 220VAC and old ones should not be hard to find. But measure it before connecting it to the Thrustmaster.

If it the power supply is over 24V I would not connect it.

It is volts you must get right. Anything from 18V to 22V should be good. The number of amps the Thrustmaster takes is
Volts/(the Thrustmaster's resistance) or V/R = amps. The Thrustmaster's resistance is about 26 ohms.

So 20V/26 ohms = .77 amps, if it is a 19V laptop supply then 19V/26 ohms = .73 amps. So you need a power supply that can supply at least .75 amps. At 19V laptop charger rated for 3 to 5 amps is good and even more amps is OK.

It is like a 12V flash-light (torch?) bulb. It is just as bright with 8 AAA batteries (8 x 1.5V each = 12V) as it is with a big car battery that is capable of 100 amps or more.

So give the Thrustmaster 18V to 22V and it will take as many amps as it needs based on its resistance. Just make sure the power supply rating is at least .75 amps.