20 replies to this topic

[MegaManFan]

Having a Nomad with a flaky AC port is no fun. You know the system works fine, but unless you plug it in JUUUUST SO it won't turn on, and then if you nudge the cord the least bit while playing you lose your game. Of course, refilling the thing with six batteries constantly is no picnic either, and expensive in the long run.

That being said, I went looking for rechargeable battery packs on eBay. That's when I noticed something curious - one power seller (with a very high 99.8% feedback rating) was selling these complete in the box, 2.99 opening bid or 6.99 BIN. I almost snagged it, but then I noticed he said "BEWARE! These batteries will not hold a charge without the internal NIMH being replaced. However, they do make a good alternative if you have a flaky AC power input."

Well! It seems like in the latter part of the sentence he's addressing my power port troubles, but in the former he's saying I can't use any Nomad brand recharge pack (new or used) because the battery is so old by now it wouldn't hold electricity. I don't know what a NIMH is though (except for the great Don Bluth movie) and I'm wondering if it COULD be replaced cheaply, so I can play Nomad on the go. More to the point I'd probably invest 6.99 in this just for a stable power supply, but I need to know for sure - is the implication that you can play the Nomad while the pack is "charging" like the Gameboy Advance SP, even though it won't hold a charge and will more or less be a pass-through of current only?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[MarkM2112]

Well, NiMH stands for Nickel Metal Hydride (sp?) which is a type of rechargable battery, in the same vein as NiCad (Nickel Cadmium). As far as replacing those, I have no idea... perhaps Radio Shack can help you about replacing the internal batteries...

Hope this helps...

[christianscott27]

i took to use rayovac rechargable AAs in mine. one set charging and one set in use, a little less life than fresh duracells but they got the job done for the daily train ride.

[maibock]

Yeah, I've seen those auctions as well and wondered about changing the batteries. I'll take a look at mine when I get home and see if I can take it apart and check out the batteries inside..

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I recently bought a Nomad and my system seems to have the same problem as yours. If the ac cord is moved just a little bit while playing the game turns off. Are a lot of Nomad's like this?

[Jasoco]

christianscott27 said:

i took to use rayovac rechargable AAs in mine. one set charging and one set in use, a little less life than fresh duracells but they got the job done for the daily train ride.

Ditto here, except the part about the train.

[maibock]

Well, I couldn't find anyway to pry into the rechargable battery - I'd be afraid of tearing something up if I did. There were no screws or anything to get into it..

[MegaManFan]

mcgrail said:

recently bought a Nomad and my system seems to have the same problem as yours. If the ac cord is moved just a little bit while playing the game turns off. Are a lot of Nomad's like this?

Seems to be a very typical issue with Nomads; it must be because of the way they were designed and that they probably presumed it wasn't a design flaw worth fixing since most people would be using it portably instead of at home.

maibock said:

Well, I couldn't find anyway to pry into the rechargable battery - I'd be afraid of tearing something up if I did. There were no screws or anything to get into it..

So swapping the NIMH is out then. That being said, does it still suffice as a pass-through for AC if you have the flaky power port connection like Sean and I do?

[Rockin' Kat]

Maybe you should ask the seller how he expects you to be able to replace the battery inside the pack.

[MegaManFan]

Read back SP, the seller actually said in his auction they most likely COULDN'T be replaced, or only with great difficulty. His auction recommended them (1.) as collector's items or (2.) as a pass-through. Now I'm just trying to determine if 2 is really true and/or effective.

[maibock]

I'll have to run down the battery first, then I'll try it with the a/c adapter.. Guess I'll have to play some nomad



woohoo!

[Jasoco]

maibock said:

I'll have to run down the battery first, then I'll try it with the a/c adapter.. Guess I'll have to play some nomad



woohoo!

Why not? I do every night! I rarely actually use my two Genny's anymore. Except if I'm playing a CD or later on a 32X.

Someone call up that VCSp guy and see if he can hack a 32X and CDX into a portable case and make an all in one Genesis/CD/32X Mega-Game Machine!

The "32CDXp".

[MegaManFan]

maibock said:

I'll have to run down the battery first, then I'll try it with the a/c adapter.. Guess I'll have to play some nomad



woohoo!

Hehehe, such an arduous task huh? Let me know if the AC pass through worked for ya.

[maibock]

MegaManFan said:

maibock said:

I'll have to run down the battery first, then I'll try it with the a/c adapter.. Guess I'll have to play some nomad



woohoo!

Hehehe, such an arduous task huh? Let me know if the AC pass through worked for ya.

It did indeed work.. I wanted to play long enough to see if not only would the game work, but if it would recharge as well as play, but we had a party to go to and I left it plugged in and it's recharged.

If the guy claims it works, and it worked for me, I guess it should be ok. My only hesitation is that knowing the A/C adapter worked with the battery recharger which works. One could only guess, I suppose, that it should work even if the batteries are totally dead.

Maybe send an email to the guy and ask if anyone has had problems with the dead battery charger?

[MegaManFan]

Not a bad idea. Regardless it sounds like using the rechargeable battery pack as a substitute plug input for the AC adapter will work, so I'll pick one up.

[JB]

Jasoco said:

maibock said:

I'll have to run down the battery first, then I'll try it with the a/c adapter.. Guess I'll have to play some nomad



woohoo!

Why not? I do every night! I rarely actually use my two Genny's anymore. Except if I'm playing a CD or later on a 32X.

Someone call up that VCSp guy and see if he can hack a 32X and CDX into a portable case and make an all in one Genesis/CD/32X Mega-Game Machine!

The "32CDXp".

I prefer Frankenstien-p.

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I purchased one of these rechargeable battery packs from a seller who said that it probably wouldn't work. It arrived in brand new condition. I started charging it about an hour ago. Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow it will be charged and it will work.

[MegaManFan]

Love to hear your results - please post them.

[Shannon]

Yeah let us all know if this works for ya...!

I have a nomad as well and am curious.

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I charged the rechargeable battery pack overnight. The light was on indicating that it was charging, but when I tried it, it did not work. It didn't hold a charge at all - not even for a minute. It does work as a by pass. The rechargeable battery pack is kind of heavy. When you add it to the weight of the Nomad and the Genesis cartridge, it feels a little too heavy for extended game play.

I purchased the rechargeable battery pack from eBay seller "callistoo". She sent this pretty fast. I also bought a new power supply and a new screen from her as well. My Nomad actually seems to be working better with the new power supply.

[Shannon]

hmm well it's something to think about. I think for the most part my power connector works fine. But my nomad never came with the battery add-on thing so that is all I can rely on is the power connector.