Building a DC power supply

[guyjin]

I've had a little crazy idea bouncing in my head for a while regarding power supplies. A few of you seem fairly knowledgeable about electronics, so I guess I'll throw it out here, and see what happens.

I've tried doing some research on how to build a power supply, but most of what I've seen is above my head. Time to start tinkering with my old 200-in-one set...

But back to the idea. I've always found it kind of wasteful that I have to use power strips to connect my consoles to power. Since my many consoles are never on at the same time, why don't I just save plug space and plug in each as it's being used?

'cuz I'm lazy, of course.

But - what if, I could build a single power supply, connected to multiple consoles, and adjusted to each console plugged into it? you wouldn't have to occupy half a dozen power strips with AC adaptors, and you wouldn't have to worry about losing them. Also, it could put out any voltage/amperage/polarity combination you wanted - automatically, I hope - within what's reasonable for consoles of course. Including the fairly exotic TurboDuo.

So, is what I'm proposing completely impossible? Am I absolutely nuts? Do I need to just find my damn Duo power supply already? The answer to the last one is a definite yes, but you all will have to answer the first two  

[GUTS]

Sounds easier to just use a power strip, haha.

[takashirose]

How are you going to make the N64 connect since it's power supply is semi-encloded, but removable.  In addition look at the size of the Xbox 360 power supply.  I can't imagine how big yours will be because you will use it for many systems.

[Seldane]

Buy one of these switching mode universal power supplies. It comes with a set of plugs for most consoles, etc and you can switch the output (mine can output anything from 3-12 volts). These are usually pretty cheap, but CD based systems usually require about 2000mA, so get a powerful one.

[takashirose]

Imagine if you power up the adapter and it fries all the systems that are hooked up to it.  That would be a waste.

[guyjin]

Well, it's kind of hard to fry something that's not turned on... isn't it?
Ferinstance, if I have a Duo and some other console daisy chained on a supply, and that supply is 12 volts, it won't fry the duo, since it isn't on, right?

[takashirose]

But if they are all connected, won't the energy current spread through out?  I was just wondering.

[guyjin]

Found the duo adaptor. Count this as another project I can put off  

[takashirose]

Where did you find it?

[guyjin]

hiding in a closet I didn't think I still had anything in