Convert battery to AC supply project (Ferrari GT wireless cockpit)

Hi Folks,

This is my first post on this forum. I'm hoping that you electronics wizards can help me with what I am sure is a simple project. I own the Ferrari GT wireless cockpit, which is a steering wheel and pedal for use with a PC AND Playstation 3 gaming system. Unfortunately, it is powered by 4 AA batteries. I want to modify it so that I can plug it in to an AC power source. I'm sure that this is a straightforward project. Maybe it requires a circuit board, maybe not. Perhaps I just need a wall plug with the correctly rating of AC to DC conversion and a few soldered parts.

Here is more information on the wheel itself:
http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/ferrari-wireless-gt-cockpit-430-scuderia-edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaEvMO26zxQ (for the visual learners

My first GUESS is that it's a matter of taking a red and white wire from the battery compartment and soldering that to a properly rated input plug for an AC / DC converter. EG: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/633266601/6V_2A_Mains_AC_DC_Adaptor_Power.jpg_250x250.jpg

So, if this were your project, what specifications would you be looking for and how would you approach it? I know, I'm not designing a Mars rover, but every great chess player was once a beginner, yes

Thanks!

First you find out what is the maximum current rating of the cockpit.
If it requires 4 nos of AA batteries, then I guess voltage rating is 4 x 1.5v = 6v....

You can use a DC adapter.
Say, it requires/consumes 800mA of current. Then you can use a 1A DC adapter.

But, here is the catch.... Mostly, DC adapters have transformers of RMS values. That is, if it is a 220v AC to 6v DC adapter, then they generally uses a 6v transformer. Any transformer works on AC. But they do not considers the RMS & peak voltage factor. When that 6v AC is converted to DC, it becomes 6v x √2. That is, 6v x 1.414 = 8.484V, which is a higher voltage level and could be fatal for your system.

If I were in your place, I would first check the output DC voltage level of the adapter. If it is higher than 6v, then I will use a voltage regulator IC, LM7806 in series for a 6V constant supply. And adding a large electrolytic capacitor to reduce ripple voltage.