VIC-20 2-Pin Power Plug
Jon
older style VIC-20? Failing that, has anyone found an workable
alternative (two in-line phono sockets, for example).
I have a working VIC-20 minus power supply, and I was considering
making up a little converter cable with a 7-pin DIN line socket to
accept a standard C-64 power supply plug and a suitable output plug to
connect to the VIC.
Marko Mäkelä
Jon> Anyone know if a source for the two pin plug that connects to the
Jon> older style VIC-20? Failing that, has anyone found an workable
Jon> alternative (two in-line phono sockets, for example).
Just solder a cable to the circuit board and run it from a car battery
charger. The polarity doesn't matter, as the VIC-20 board doesn't use
AC for anything; it just goes through a rectifier and a voltage
regulator.
By the way, there are at least two different versions of the 2-pin
power plug. I know because the 2-pin power supply for PAL VIC-20s
won't physically fit in the socket in my NTSC VIC-20.
Marko
Nicolas Welte
> By the way, there are at least two different versions of the 2-pin
> power plug. I know because the 2-pin power supply for PAL VIC-20s
> won't physically fit in the socket in my NTSC VIC-20.
That's true. There is a plug that fits perfectly onto the NTSC VIC-20, it is
called a Japanese mains plug and is available from www.Reichelt.de:
http://www.reichelt.de/index_direkt.html?MS-AC-J
The plug for my PAL VIC-20 is bigger and rectangular in size, and has a slot
in the middle.
Nicolas
Jon
> in the middle.
That's the plug I'm looking for - one for the PAL VIC-20. I didn't
realise the two different VICs had different connectors...
I guess this is another "Commodore special" (a bit like the Plus/4 and
128 square connectors) rather than a standard connector of any sort...
Raymond Carlsen
Jon,
I can't help with the connector, but don't use the AC from the
standard C64 brick for your two-pin type of VIC20. It takes more current (2
Amps at 9VAC) than that supply can put out (only 1 Amp). You might make up
a power pack by installing a 9 volt 3 Amp transformer in a metal box and
attaching hookup cables. Note that the transformer should be able to handle
a higher current than is required by the device so it runs cooler. You
might even find a wall wart that big. On this side of the ocean, Radio
Shack sells one for $28 US, but of course it's for 110VAC input.
Ray
Jon
> I can't help with the connector, but don't use the AC from the
> standard C64 brick for your two-pin type of VIC20. It takes more current (2
> Amps at 9VAC) than that supply can put out (only 1 Amp).
Ooops...I've already done this just to give the VIC-20 a run-out
(hence I now know it's working). From what you're saying though, this
obviously isn't a good idea!
> You might make up
> a power pack by installing a 9 volt 3 Amp transformer in a metal box and
> attaching hookup cables. Note that the transformer should be able to handle
> a higher current than is required by the device so it runs cooler. You
> might even find a wall wart that big. On this side of the ocean, Radio
> Shack sells one for $28 US, but of course it's for 110VAC input.
>
> Ray
Would the transformer with code DH24B (entered in the Code Search box
top right) listed here (http://www.maplin.co.uk) be suitable?
Thanks,
Jon.
Raymond Carlsen
> > of VIC20. It takes more current (2
> > Amps at 9VAC) than that supply can put out (only 1 Amp).
> Ooops...I've already done this just to give the VIC-20 a run-out
> (hence I now know it's working). From what you're saying though, this
> obviously isn't a good idea!
Jon,
Correct. It works for short tests, but it will overheat the
transformer in the adaptor if left on more than a few minutes.
> > You might make up a power pack
> > by installing a 9 volt 3 Amp transformer in a metal box
> Would the transformer with code DH24B (entered in the Code Search box
> top right) listed here (http://www.maplin.co.uk) be suitable?
Nope... too small. It's only rated at 333mA. Looks like the only one
beefy enough is the DH26D. It apparently has two 9 volt secondary windings
that can carry 1.4Amps each. Tied together in parallel, they can supply the
necessary current for the VIC20. Note that transformer secondaries must be
connected -in phase- when run in parallel (across each other) like that. If
you get it backwards, it will burn it up.
To safely test the hookup, run the transformer with a 25 to 40 watt
lightbulb in series with the primary winding... that is, open one leg of
the input voltage from the power line to the transformer, and insert a
light bulb across those wires. That way, if the transformer draws too much
current (secondary windings wired out of phase), it will light the lamp and
cause no damage. Reverse the connections of the secondary windings and try
it again. If the lamp runs dim or not at all, the secondary connections are
correct. Then you can install the tranny in a box and wire it up to the AC
outlet and computer... assuming you can find that 2 pin connector.
As always, since you're working with potentially lethal voltages,
don't touch anything with the transformer plugged in to the AC power.
Always unplug it to make or modify the connections.
Ray
Jon
Sorry for being a pain! Unfortunately, the DH26D transformer isn't
available anymore, although I think I've found a better source of
transformers in the UK at www.farnell.com. In particular, would the
following be a good buy for my VIC purposes?
Toroidal transformer (Order Code 3068729)
Secondary Voltages 9V+9V
Secondary Amps 3.33A
60VA load
£12.44 (approx. $19)
They have another, slightly cheaper, 9V+9V 50VA toroidal transformer
(3068663) rated at 2.70A for the secondary (£11.49 approx. $17).
Would either of these be suitable?
Thanks,
Jon.
"Raymond Carlsen" <rr...@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.A41.4.44.020802...@homer29.u.washington.edu...
James Alexander
Jon wrote:
I had the same problem on a vic I got. What I did is found an old Atari 9Vac
power suplly (ones used for the 810 & 1050 drives) and rigged up a connector
on the vic to plug it in. Its worked well enough ever since.