|
|
Post by robertb on Dec 4, 2016 8:59:21 GMT
Umm... I threw the cover in the bin a couple of days ago for the 12/5v PSU  However, it was around the 2-3A mark. That is not enough amperage for a C128DCR. The original C128DCR outputs 4.4 amps at 5V. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group www.dickestel.com/fcug.htmP.S. For your information, Ray Carlsen now upgrades internal C128DCR power supplies with modern components and outputting 5 amps at 5V. |
|
|
|
Post by mrbombermillzy on Dec 4, 2016 10:02:38 GMT
Wow! That much on the 5V line! No wonder she didnt want to start!
It looks like I may need a more powerful PSU.
Maybe I will try an ATX PSU with the 9VAC transformer (I will check that the 1000mA running throught that is enough too!).
It'll look messy and have the box on the outside, but I want to make sure all is ok now.
Thanks guys for all the help/sugestions.
I will try to get it running again today and report back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 4, 2016 13:04:55 GMT
Good luck on getting it going!
I didn't realise the DCR was so different. Looking at your photos I didn't even recognise the layout of the chips at all.
Fingers crossed you can get it running ok. At least if it's just "not enough power" then there should be no damage.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrbombermillzy on Dec 4, 2016 15:38:30 GMT
Yeah, thats what Im hoping. I cant believe I was so oblivious about the power output of the supplies.. You realize this recent effort was spurred on by the desire to play your boulderdash clone?  |
|
|
|
Post by mrbombermillzy on Dec 6, 2016 17:32:53 GMT
And here are the happy ending photos for those of you on the edge of your seats!  I finally wired up an ATX supply after searching my MANY boxes of leads/converters/PSUs. (Seriously, I have at least 6 boxes full of leads that I may require at some point in my life! Anyone else do that?!) I cannot believe that the 5V supply current was so high! Thanks to Robert B for the heads up on that. The only other option was one of my Amiga 500 PSUs, but I dont want to break them down. (Generally, I try to keep everything in one piece). It looks a bit messy and the C128DCR is far away from the monitor (was going to use the C= Ranger above the 128 until I realized I dont have a proper Keyboard anymore so cant lock the VDC mode on  ). Its running through a HP VGA TFT via a TV LCD box which converts C.VIDEO to RGBA for the required 31Khz scanrate.  (Above) Theres the C= badged Aydin ranger on top of my trusty old Sony PVM monitor. Ive used both of those before for the record breaking VDC resolution tests!  (Above) The cursor is blinking....honest!  (Above) Here is the ATX supplying the hefty 5VDC and the 12VDC (and GND of course). I did have a XBone PSU ready to carve up, but unbelieveably, the 5VDC was STILL too weedy for the 128! Incidentally the brown scorch marks on the baseplate were the old original PSU where it had somehow split the circuit board and toasted some of the components (hence all this mucking around I have had to do). I really cant use the 128 with this PSU. Its just too messy. On top of that, Ive not got the proper keyboard, so I will have to wire up something there. (Ive got a C128 flat shell with a keyboard in it. Im sure someone said the end of the keyboard loom has the same connector as the side one on the DCR, so maybe I will take that apart at some point). Im just glad its working!! |
|
|
|
Post by remark on Dec 6, 2016 18:32:43 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by mrbombermillzy on Dec 6, 2016 18:39:07 GMT
Thanks. I did momentarily look at that...until I saw the asking price! I think Im going to just buy a 8A(!) PSU from ebay for £8.50 and put it in there with a 12V 2A unit Ive found in a box. That should do it. Then its onto the keyboard... (Most normal people would just buy a 128 off ebay and be done with it...Not me. Im skint! ) |
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 7, 2016 8:10:23 GMT
don't forget that PSU is running both the 128 and a floppy drive So twice the normal power that would be required for a 128. I am glad to hear that my game has spurred the repair of a 128 No greater compliment than that I think. That machine does need some cleaning though! As to the keyboard. The 128D I think had the same KB connector on the motherboard as the flat but without pins. I don't think the KB from the flat can connect directly to the connector you have. You also shouldn't (Please dont!) cut up or destroy the flat in any way! You can probably bodge a C64 keyboard onto a Dtype plug easily as it's the same matrix for compatibility, (some idiot is selling these on eBay for stupid money for the 128) but you just have a few missing keys, one of which is the 40/80. You don't NEED that as my game just forces it in software anyway but you can easily wire in a few extra switches. |
|
|
|
Post by mrbombermillzy on Dec 7, 2016 18:36:43 GMT
Thanks for the info, and dont worry, I dont like modding retro gear at all. I will take apart common PC stuff, but if something is a bit scarce, it stays in its original state. See my sig! And yes, literally, I really want to play a VDC game of boulderdash (used to play the C64 version alot years ago) among other things. Ive been trying to figure out new ideas for the VDC, but can only get so far with theoretical calculations! I dont even bother with VICE as its going to be cutting to the metal stuff. Unfortunately, its the wrong time of the year for expenditure, but I have some spare bits around. Will look into getting a Frankenstein 128DCR going untill I can afford the proper parts! lol |
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 7, 2016 21:27:05 GMT
I would say just google the pinout and get some jumper wires. Arduino style male to male jumpers will probably push into a C64 KB plug as well as the actual DType socket on the 128 MB. ( I assume the socket on the 128 is female?)
You could bodge a 64 KB on there for play and testing and I expect a jumper between 2 of the remaining pins would do the 40\80 switch if you needed it.
No long term mods hacks or damage. Just some long jumper wires and a bit of work getting them in the right places.
|
|
).
