Hardware 3DS Charger High Pitched Noise

[R4ismychildhood]

Hi. I'm using this 3DS charger (from the box of my 3DS XL) for my New 3DS XL. Recently I can hear a high pitched voice once it's plugged in. Is it normal and what should I do because Nintendo UK is not selling them anymore.

Thank you.

 

[Shadow#1]

Hi. I'm using this 3DS charger (from the box of my 3DS XL) for my New 3DS XL. Recently I can hear a high pitched voice once it's plugged in. Is it normal and what should I do because Nintendo UK is not selling them anymore.

Thank you.

Buy another as the caps r going bad

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Hi. I'm using this 3DS charger (from the box of my 3DS XL) for my New 3DS XL. Recently I can hear a high pitched voice once it's plugged in. Is it normal and what should I do because Nintendo UK is not selling them anymore.

Thank you.

Some coil whine is normal from any voltage conversion circuitry, but it should be imperceivable unless you put your ear up to it. If it's loud enough to hear from a distance away, that's a sign that it's worn. I've come across devices that were just whiny out of the box (ultra cheap components, probably) but I've never noticed a whine from any Nintendo chargers/power adapters.
It being worn doesn't necessarily mean it's about to fail though. If you can live with the noise, it's probably fine. The 3DS hasn't been out for long enough that capacitors will start to fail so soon.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

Buy another as the caps r going bad

Thx Mario. Will do.

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Some coil whine is normal from any voltage conversion circuitry, but it should be imperceivable unless you put your ear up to it. If it's loud enough to hear from a distance away, that's a sign that it's worn. I've come across devices that were just whiny out of the box (ultra cheap components, probably) but I've never noticed a whine from any Nintendo chargers/power adapters.
It being worn doesn't necessarily mean it's about to fail though. If you can live with the noise, it's probably fine. The 3DS hasn't been out for long enough that capacitors will start to fail so soon.

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

Some coil whine is normal from any voltage conversion circuitry, but it should be imperceivable unless you put your ear up to it. If it's loud enough to hear from a distance away, that's a sign that it's worn. I've come across devices that were just whiny out of the box (ultra cheap components, probably) but I've never noticed a whine from any Nintendo chargers/power adapters.
It being worn doesn't necessarily mean it's about to fail though. If you can live with the noise, it's probably fine. The 3DS hasn't been out for long enough that capacitors will start to fail so soon.

Update: the only factory sealed 3DS charger by Nintendo is this Nintendo AC Adapter (UK 3 Pin) for New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DS4Y3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_bfq4FbKG8ZPSY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, which is almost 10 times the original price... Should I still buy this for safety reasons?

 

[ghjfdtg]

I have been using noisy power supplies for years. There is generally no problem using them other than the noise. If you can't get a new one for the original price just keep using the old one. It won't burn your house down. Even some brand new power supplies do this as mentioned above.

 

[tech3475]

Update: the only factory sealed 3DS charger by Nintendo is this Nintendo AC Adapter (UK 3 Pin) for New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DS4Y3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_bfq4FbKG8ZPSY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, which is almost 10 times the original price... Should I still buy this for safety reasons?

Only issue I’ve encountered with noisy transformers is the noise.

I know other retailers such as Game and Argos sell third party compatible chargers if you still want to replace it.

Yes ideally an official charger is best, but I’d be surprised if ones sold directly by a reputable retailer will be like some cheap Chinese knock off.

 

[CMDreamer]

The price includes quality assurance from Nintendo, so if you can afford it, you should buy it, mainly as you stated, for security reasons.

You can use another "generic" one without problems, just keep in mind that quality is not assured and might not last for too long.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

I won't get third party brands as it's not worth the risk, on both my apartment and the discontinued N3DSXL itself.

I'll wait for a while and see if I can get the official charger with a more acceptable price.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

• [ZedLabz] Official Nintendo DS Lite power adapter charger mains wall UK 3 pin plug - USED
• [ZedLabz] 2 in 1 mains wall charger plug & USB charging cable for Nintendo 3DS, 2DS & DSi - UK 3 pin AC power adapter 1.2m

***

• [amazon.co.uk] Nintendo AC Adapter (UK 3 Pin) for New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL

Combine these two.

• [amazon.co.uk] SLTX UK 3 Pin Plug USB Mains Charger Adapter, 1AMP 1000mAh Fast Speed Universal Travel USB Wall Charger for iPhone,iPad, iPod and Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC, Tablet & USB Socket Devices (White)
• [amazon.co.uk] DelTex® Gold 1.5M USB Power Charger Cable For Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, DSi, DSi XL, New 3DS, New 3DS XL, New 2DS XL

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Update: the only factory sealed 3DS charger by Nintendo is this Nintendo AC Adapter (UK 3 Pin) for New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DS4Y3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_bfq4FbKG8ZPSY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, which is almost 10 times the original price... Should I still buy this for safety reasons?

You can get them cheaper on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...m570.l1313&_nkw=original+3ds+charger&_sacat=0

I often use a USB cable to charge, plugged straight into my PC. There's not much that can go wrong with them, they just adapt the 3DS charging plug to USB. The USB voltage is a little bit higher than the official charger but I've never had trouble with it.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

• [ZedLabz] Official Nintendo DS Lite power adapter charger mains wall UK 3 pin plug - USED
• [ZedLabz] 2 in 1 mains wall charger plug & USB charging cable for Nintendo 3DS, 2DS & DSi - UK 3 pin AC power adapter 1.2m

***

• [amazon.co.uk] Nintendo AC Adapter (UK 3 Pin) for New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL

Combine these two.

• [amazon.co.uk] SLTX UK 3 Pin Plug USB Mains Charger Adapter, 1AMP 1000mAh Fast Speed Universal Travel USB Wall Charger for iPhone,iPad, iPod and Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC, Tablet & USB Socket Devices (White)
• [amazon.co.uk] DelTex® Gold 1.5M USB Power Charger Cable For Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, DSi, DSi XL, New 3DS, New 3DS XL, New 2DS XL

Thanks but I also have the N3DSXL charging cradle... Better go with the official charger

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You can get them cheaper on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...m570.l1313&_nkw=original+3ds+charger&_sacat=0

I often use a USB cable to charge, plugged straight into my PC. There's not much that can go wrong with them, they just adapt the 3DS charging plug to USB. The USB voltage is a little bit higher than the official charger but I've never had trouble with it.

Hi. I'm in the UK and we have a different plug and voltage then the US

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Update:
I've found a factory sealed on eBay, which s about 4 times the original price. I think it's acceptable (comparing to the 10 times price on Amazon) and I've ordered it. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Thanks but I also have the N3DSXL charging cradle... Better go with the official charger

There's nothing special about the charging cradle in terms of circuitry. Other than the blow molded plastic housing, all that it has are basic (+) and (-) extension wires that connects the female charger port to the contact prongs.

It doesn't matter whether you go with an official Nintendo or * 3rd party as long as the charger in question meets these requirements.

• (1) Input AC voltage is using your country's wall plug/prong design and is compatible with its electric standard (110-120V vs 220-240V).
  
• (2) Output DC voltage and amperage are within reasonable safe specs for the 3DS (4.8-5.2 V and 0.8-1.2 A).

* Good build quality; check the customer reviews.

Here are a few reference threads on the subject of charger setups.

• N3DSXL charges very VERY slowly
• 3ds charger - can the wrong charger lower your battery lifespan
• Making a terrible 3ds charger out of a mini sub cord
• Possible to solder a USB power to a broken charge port?
• 2DS Charging Problem / Power Supply Modding?