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Atari 2600 - Replacement PSU suggestions

Posted: 22 Jan 2026 15:13
by Sheepz85
Hi

Anyone point me in the direction of a suitable PSU that wont effect the image. Sadly the Atari transformer is dead and the cheap one I got is effecting the image quality.

On a side, I got 3 x 2600s and a lot of games and accessory's ect and serviced them with new caps, Power regulator and composite mod but only one works with the other two only giving out a black screen with a rolling bit of white static, I think it could be the TIA chip, any thoughts?

Regards

Barry

Re: Atari 2600 - Replacement PSU suggestions

Posted: 22 Jan 2026 15:41
by rubber_jonnie
Sheepz85 wrote: 22 Jan 2026 15:13 Hi

Anyone point me in the direction of a suitable PSU that wont effect the image. Sadly the Atari transformer is dead and the cheap one I got is effecting the image quality.

On a side, I got 3 x 2600s and a lot of games and accessory's ect and serviced them with new caps, Power regulator and composite mod but only one works with the other two only giving out a black screen with a rolling bit of white static, I think it could be the TIA chip, any thoughts?

Regards

Barry
I don't have a specific recommendation (I use a ZX80 PSU myself, 9v 600ma centre positive) but I'd suggest you look for something that is a linear supply rather than a cheap switch mode supply as they can be quite noisy.

I have some quite old PSUs with swappable tips and a variable voltage switch and they generally work better than any modern switch mode PSUs.

Re: Atari 2600 - Replacement PSU suggestions

Posted: 23 Jan 2026 13:17
by Sheepz85
Hi

Thanks for the reply, I will start looking, I just don't want to get another one that adds interference, but adding a ferrite bead to the cable did help a bit!

Regards

Barry

Re: Atari 2600 - Replacement PSU suggestions

Posted: 23 Jan 2026 13:26
by rubber_jonnie
Sheepz85 wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:17 Hi

Thanks for the reply, I will start looking, I just don't want to get another one that adds interference, but adding a ferrite bead to the cable did help a bit!

Regards

Barry
I bought an OSSC quite a long time ago and it had awful interference and that was the PSU as well, hence why I'd recommend trying to find something suitable that isn't switch mode. I used ferrite cores/beads as well but there is a definite limit to what they can manage.

Of course a lot of these new PSU's are switch mode and are usually Chinesium so if you can find a modern switch mode replacement if it's decent then it may well be OK but more expensive. Your mileage may vary.

As for the other 2600's they may work with a decent PSU.