USB power supply for CPC/PLUS

[fgbrain]

Hi, I am wondering if its possible to use power from a USB charger/power bank with proper cables as a  neat PSU for cpc or plus...
I know that these use 5V like cpc does...


Please give recommendations about specs and specific  models.

[rpalmer]

In short no, the USB power chargers do not supply enough current. The CPC needs at about 1.5A and all USB chargers only supply at most 1A.Also you could not drive the 3 inch drive as it needs 12V @ 1A.
rpalmer

[GUNHED]

Well, for my Smok Rha I have an 2 A PSU, but never tried it with CPC since I use the PSU of LED lights (up to 5 V, 5 A) for it (with HxC, M-X4 etc.)

[tjohnson]

I have a modmypi USB adapter that came with my pi3 that says it is 2.5a but I've not tried it.

[pelrun]

all USB chargers only supply at most 1A.

Even though they're routinely sold with 2.4A ratings? 

[fgbrain]

I am almost certain that I have seen a cable for this... But can't remember where!!


I know you need 12V for a 3" drive... But who uses a drive anyway!


We got Wifi - Gotek nowadays..
So 2 5v plugs are required.

[Cholo]

I noticed on ebay (uk) there is a 6128 psu kit being sold that includes both a psu for the keyboard + a psu for the drive (and a scart cable). Of cause this dosnt solve your USB charging question, but if you are looking for a psu kits its available. Donno how long its been for sale, as usually i only see the one psu 464 style kits, so i thought it worth mentioning 

[fgbrain]

Thanks I am aware of this psu.
I use pc power supply for my CPCs but I search for more neat solutions..

[Bryce]

Thanks I am aware of this psu.
I use pc power supply for my CPCs but I search for more neat solutions..

Using a PC powersupply on a CPC isn't a good idea. These supplies can usually supply >20A on the 5V rail. Any short circuit would burn the traces completely off the PCB and make the CPC unrepairable.

Bryce.

[fgbrain]

What is your suggestions then??


Are there any safe PSU apart from the monitor??

[logiker]

Some years ago I used a PSU that I ordered from the greek ebay user ikonsgr74. I think it had 3A and it worked very well. I also got a TV cable (Scart) from him.
The only thing I am not sure about is, if and/or how I connected a drive. I think I just used a HxC drive.

[GUNHED]

Burning rails off the PCB can happen also when touching the joystick port and the screen (newly switched on) at the same time. 5 A nevertheless is enough for the whole system

[Bryce]

Burning rails off the PCB can happen also when touching the joystick port and the screen (newly switched on) at the same time. 5 A nevertheless is enough for the whole system

Yes, anything more than 5A is above what the PCB traces could handle, so try to get a supply that can only deliver between 3A and 5A.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Yes, anything more than 5A is above what the PCB traces could handle, so try to get a supply that can only deliver between 3A and 5A.

Bryce.

Yes, probably 3 A is just fine. Also it's probably the best to connect computer, HxC, Imperium solo, Mother-X4 and anything else (somehow connected to the CPC) with the same PSU. 

[pelrun]

Burning rails off the PCB can happen also when touching the joystick port and the screen (newly switched on) at the same time.

Oof, don't remind me. 


Although that's extremely high voltage and negligible current, and is more likely to blow up the AY than any traces.

[shifters74]

As i have a gotek fitted in my 6128 i dont't need 12V and use a meanwell GS18B05-P1Jwhich costs £20 delivered.  Its the best PSU for delivering what its supposed too that i have tried i.e. 5V!!!  Others i have tried don't come close.  Works fine with a 6128, powered scart and gotek, MX4 with M4 and xmem installed.

found at RS here: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/desktop-power-supply/7212168/?relevancy-data=636F3D3126696E3D4931384E53656172636847656E65726963266C753D656E266D6D3D6D61746368616C6C7061727469616C26706D3D5E2E2A2426706F3D31333326736E3D592673723D4175746F636F727265637465642673613D6D65616E77656C6C20677331386230352673743D43415443485F414C4C5F44454641554C542673633D592677633D4E4F4E45267573743D6D65616E77656C6C2047533135423035267374613D6D65616E77656C6C204753313542303526&searchHistory=%7B%22enabled%22%3Atrue%7D
I have 4 of these now on different machines (Atari 800XL, C64 as well as 6128 and 464) and all seem rock solid and barely get warm.
cheers
shifters

[Bryce]

Yes, probably 3 A is just fine. Also it's probably the best to connect computer, HxC, Imperium solo, Mother-X4 and anything else (somehow connected to the CPC) with the same PSU. 

That doesn't burn rails it "only" fries the AY. All voltage and no current.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

That doesn't burn rails it "only" fries the AY. All voltage and no current.

Bryce.

Well, it happened to me once. But at least I still had warranty.

[chinnyhill10]

Absolute no to using a USB power supply. It's amazing people still want to take short cuts despite all the info given out on this forum over the years. The CPC has no internal regulator, no smoothing circuitry, no protection, nothing. Get it wrong and you'll fry the AY and burn out circuitry. This is quite unlike, say, a 48k Spectrum which has a 5v regulator on the input (it's why the first thing to check on a dead Spectrum is the regulator).


Get the best standard 5v PSU you can afford. We've been through this many times. The RS supply we've recommended in the past is not discontinued but on the page there is a link to a replacement. Full data sheets on the RS website. Such good smoothing that when I was using my CPC and we had a sudden brown out (the power kept dipping) the CPC kept going while everything else was losing it's shit! (Ovs I saved and switched off).

[tjohnson]

Absolute no to using a USB power supply. It's amazing people still want to take short cuts despite all the info given out on this forum over the years. The CPC has no internal regulator, no smoothing circuitry, no protection, nothing. Get it wrong and you'll fry the AY and burn out circuitry. This is quite unlike, say, a 48k Spectrum which has a 5v regulator on the input (it's why the first thing to check on a dead Spectrum is the regulator).


Get the best standard 5v PSU you can afford. We've been through this many times. The RS supply we've recommended in the past is not discontinued but on the page there is a link to a replacement. Full data sheets on the RS website. Such good smoothing that when I was using my CPC and we had a sudden brown out (the power kept dipping) the CPC kept going while everything else was losing it's shit! (Ovs I saved and switched off).

I thought all USB supplies were 5v and regulated, maybe not.

[fgbrain]

https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/usb-power-cable-%28amstrad-cpc-464-or-ti-99~~4a-32kb-sidecar-memory-card%29-32181
I found the link I was talking about but seems currently unavailable!
Perhaps  because it's not safe to use???

[chinnyhill10]

https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/usb-power-cable-%28amstrad-cpc-464-or-ti-99~~4a-32kb-sidecar-memory-card%29-32181
I found the link I was talking about but seems currently unavailable!
Perhaps  because it's not safe to use???

Just because someone sells something doesn't mean you should use it.

[Bryce]

Well, it happened to me once. But at least I still had warranty.

Really? To burn tracks you need current. Where was the current coming from?

@tjohnson: Yes, USB charger PSU's are all regulated, but they are usually rather weak too. There are not many of them that could power a CPC.

Bryce.

[ComSoft6128]

I need one of these (RS) for a Plus, is there an adaptor for the output connector?

[GUNHED]

Really? To burn tracks you need current. Where was the current coming from?

Well, I touched the CRT and the joystick port by accident, the CPC went dead and I took it to the shop where we got it. They told me that the tracks were bent up. But I don't remember if I actually did see it with my own eyes. Because that was in 1987 - basically 2745 bottles of Jack Daniels ago.