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Hi. I've tried to google that question, but didn't find any answer. Can someone explain what's this adapater for? I saw it in several shops and on Aliexpress of course. What does it do? It has USB3 on both sides. Is it a kind of debug board? A level converter? Why is there a jumper and a connector on it?
It is a level shifter. It is used to convert 3.3v logic to 5v peripherals. There's a good explanation here. As with anything on the user port; it may have a USB connector but it is not carrying USB signals. Do not try to connect USB devices to the user port.
No-no, I understand it's not an USB. Just wondering why do I need it with MiSTer. So it is a level shifter for 5V devices. Is there any list of which devices I should use with it?
Still, what the jumper do?
The jumper enables/disables the IO6 line.
The problem is, all my controllers work without it just fine, this is why i'm asking. I've tried NES, NES Zapper, SNES, Genesis and PC Engine. Though I've heard that some users have problems with NES controllers without it.
Why they may appear to work you are risking damage to the DE10 or the Controller. The level shifters take the voltage being supplied or coming in and adjust it to the logic level of the device. Without them you could be ewither undervolting the controller or overvolting the DE10.
This explains the Jumper
FPGA64 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2023 9:14 amWhy they may appear to work you are risking damage to the DE10 or the Controller. The level shifters take the voltage being supplied or coming in and adjust it to the logic level of the device. Without them you could be ewither undervolting the controller or overvolting the DE10.
Yeah, I understand that. Unfortunately it's not very articulated anywhere, most (aliexpress) shops even skip the explanation totally.
nymous wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2023 4:36 pmFPGA64 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2023 9:14 amWhy they may appear to work you are risking damage to the DE10 or the Controller. The level shifters take the voltage being supplied or coming in and adjust it to the logic level of the device. Without them you could be ewither undervolting the controller or overvolting the DE10.
Yeah, I understand that. Unfortunately it's not very articulated anywhere, most (aliexpress) shops even skip the explanation totally.
I wouldnt touch an Ali Express store, other than Retrocastle, in any way.
RetroCastle does sell SNAC adapters, but I don't see the level shifter.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803697539804.html
I assume their PS1 SNAC would be safe to use without it though, since PS1 controllers use 3.3v.
jd213 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:47 pmRetroCastle does sell SNAC adapters, but I don't see the level shifter.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803697539804.htmlI assume their PS1 SNAC would be safe to use without it though, since PS1 controllers use 3.3v.
His adaptor has them built into the board
Ah OK, that makes sense considering they're a bit more expensive than other SNAC adapters on Aliexpress.
Just as info: All SNAC adapters from UltimateMister don't need this.
Is it safe to chain two level shifters?
I ask because the Multisystem user port claims to have a built-in level shifter according to its manual, and I ordered a SNAC adapter from UltimateMister which apparently also has one. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still confused on how all that will interact.
antibolo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:28 pmIs it safe to chain two level shifters?
I ask because the Multisystem user port claims to have a built-in level shifter according to its manual, and I ordered a SNAC adapter from UltimateMister which apparently also has one. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still confused on how all that will interact.
You can disable the onboard level shifters. Thats how the MMS can use either User3.3v and Snac5v. Details are in the manual
antibolo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:28 pmIs it safe to chain two level shifters?
I ask because the Multisystem user port claims to have a built-in level shifter according to its manual, and I ordered a SNAC adapter from UltimateMister which apparently also has one. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still confused on how all that will interact.
you can disable it with the pin and switch on it AND most important you don't need to use it in the first place since it has one built in. just plug the SNAC controller adapters directly to your MMS.
Missus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 11:47 pmantibolo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:28 pmIs it safe to chain two level shifters?
I ask because the Multisystem user port claims to have a built-in level shifter according to its manual, and I ordered a SNAC adapter from UltimateMister which apparently also has one. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still confused on how all that will interact.
You can disable the onboard level shifters. Thats how the MMS can use either User3.3v and Snac5v. Details are in the manual
The manual is not clear on what you're supposed to do when the SNAC device has a built-in level shifter.
From what I can gather, I should set SW7 (the front switch) to the IO6 position (as mentioned in the UltimateMister product page), and set the jumper J17 to the 3.3v position (presumably to disable the onboard level shifter), is that correct?