Convert battery to AC supply project (Ferrari GT wireless cockpit)

[kencl]

Hi Folks,

This is my first post on this forum. I'm hoping that you electronics wizards can help me with what I am sure is a simple project. I own the Ferrari GT wireless cockpit, which is a steering wheel and pedal for use with a PC AND Playstation 3 gaming system. Unfortunately, it is powered by 4 AA batteries. I want to modify it so that I can plug it in to an AC power source. I'm sure that this is a straightforward project. Maybe it requires a circuit board, maybe not. Perhaps I just need a wall plug with the correctly rating of AC to DC conversion and a few soldered parts.

Here is more information on the wheel itself:
http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/ferrari-wireless-gt-cockpit-430-scuderia-edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaEvMO26zxQ (for the visual learners

My first GUESS is that it's a matter of taking a red and white wire from the battery compartment and soldering that to a properly rated input plug for an AC / DC converter. EG: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/633266601/6V_2A_Mains_AC_DC_Adaptor_Power.jpg_250x250.jpg

So, if this were your project, what specifications would you be looking for and how would you approach it? I know, I'm not designing a Mars rover, but every great chess player was once a beginner, yes

Thanks!

 

[Genovator]

First you find out what is the maximum current rating of the cockpit.
If it requires 4 nos of AA batteries, then I guess voltage rating is 4 x 1.5v = 6v....

You can use a DC adapter.
Say, it requires/consumes 800mA of current. Then you can use a 1A DC adapter.

But, here is the catch.... Mostly, DC adapters have transformers of RMS values. That is, if it is a 220v AC to 6v DC adapter, then they generally uses a 6v transformer. Any transformer works on AC. But they do not considers the RMS & peak voltage factor. When that 6v AC is converted to DC, it becomes 6v x √2. That is, 6v x 1.414 = 8.484V, which is a higher voltage level and could be fatal for your system.

If I were in your place, I would first check the output DC voltage level of the adapter. If it is higher than 6v, then I will use a voltage regulator IC, LM7806 in series for a 6V constant supply. And adding a large electrolytic capacitor to reduce ripple voltage.