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Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:51 pm
by evil_ash_xero

I got my MiSTer a little while back, and I had just been unplugging it from the power strip to turn it off.
I've been reading that most people unplug it from the back of the MiSTer.

Any difference? Any danger in unplugging it from the socket?

I'm debating on getting one of those inline switches from https://misterfpga.co.uk.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:53 pm
by AngelicLiver

I'm guessing the fear is arcing from the socket causing a voltage spike. It's not likely with a reputable power supply. There's also mechanical wear if you're constantly disconnecting the barrel jack from the DE10-Nano, that's probably a more legitimate concern if you are rough/doing it constantly.

If you live in the UK you could just use the switch at the socket/power strip. I know some use cheap "smart" sockets, that seems like a good solution?


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:55 pm
by Esoteric_rt

I found it safer and less stressful to buy a power board which had built in switches for each socket


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:28 pm
by LamerDeluxe

I'm using an 'outlet switch power plug' which is a single outlet with a switch, that works better than an inline switch in the low-voltage cable, as that causes a voltage drop.

Like this one, but in black: https://www.kabeldirect.nl/doorvoerstek ... t-wit.html


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:30 pm
by evil_ash_xero
AngelicLiver wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:53 pm

I'm guessing the fear is arcing from the socket causing a voltage spike. It's not likely with a reputable power supply. There's also mechanical wear if you're constantly disconnecting the barrel jack from the DE10-Nano, that's probably a more legitimate concern if you are rough/doing it constantly.

If you live in the UK you could just use the switch at the socket/power strip. I know some use cheap "smart" sockets, that seems like a good solution?

Does the Mister UK power switch not work with NTSC power supplies?


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:48 pm
by AngelicLiver

Does the Mister UK power switch not work with NTSC power supplies?

Works fine! The power supplies put out 5v DC regardless of region.

Us crazy Brits just have switches on all of our sockets.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 1:19 am
by evil_ash_xero

OK. Thanks!


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 6:42 am
by Chris23235

I bought a cable with the barrel connector on one side and USB on the other to power the Mister with a small USB power supply. Plugging the cable into the USB port of the power supply is easy and reliable.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:36 am
by Bas

NTSC power supply? Nice. Never The Same Current?


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:15 pm
by Stinky

I never turn mine off, that's always an option.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:29 pm
by mdkoehn

I'm using the Meanwell power supply that has an IEC C14 socket. I bought a C13 to C14 cord with built-in switch that I could add before the power supply. The one I bought from Amazon doesn't seem to exist anymore, but here's a similar one: https://www.amazon.com/Eonvic-Power-Cor ... B01HGNN30M.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:30 am
by akeley

https://www.misterfpga.org/viewtopic.php?t=4992

Still one of the best little gadgets I've ever bought.


Re: Safe to unplug MiSTer from electrical socket?

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:04 am
by Armakuni

The inline switches can cause under voltage issues over time

The best solution for the analogue IO board was made by Dale who created MT32-Pi but sadly he has had health issues recently I believe so has not been making anything

https://ko-fi.com/s/3b85640bab