Hello guys!
Picking up a lovely 1084S next week; this is going to replace my trusty CTM*. The reason is, I can use the 1084 with more stuff and thus cut down on the circus that is currently going on in my spare room.
Anyhow, Bryce was kind enough to provide the pinout for the sub-D connector, and I guess I can make that cable myself (hm. Maybe I should also buy Bryce's 5V adaptor :D ). Just wanted to ask if anyone knows of anyone who sells reliable, small PSUs for the CPC? I don't want to mess with PC PSUs - trying to cut the mess down, remember :)
Thanks!
T
PS ooh I'm gonna have lovely sound, too, without the need of extra (though better) speakers :)
*(hm, must install footnotes on the forum again) it's sad because my CPC setup includes the TV tuner and radio/clock under the CTM, and I'm going to miss that... perhaps I'm going to spray-paint the 1084 with vinyl paint, since it's easy to remove, but onlly if it's easy enough to disassemble.
If you have a Spectrum +2/3 PSU (which I think you do) you can make a small adapter to power the CPC with that (even without my 5VCPC).
Bryce.
Nope, I think I gave mine to you a while back :D
But yeah, that'd be a nice solution!
I thought you still had another Spectrum?
Bryce.
I think not (at least a +2)? But I may be mistaken. Gotta catalogue that mess some day...
Only a +2A PSU with a DIN plug, not the 9V (nominal) type that comes with a Grey +2 mind!
Mark
I am using a chinese linear PSU that is actually very nice and does not cause any kind of interference with the CRTS :) . I had to ground it myself, but it is a really easy modification. I can look for the link if you don't find the other :)
@1024MAK (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1522) good advice, I didn't remember the distinction but also for anyone else who might stumble onto this thread...
@||C|-|E|| (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1447) here's an interesting question - how important is grounding with the CPC? I know @Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) will want to have my head even for asking, but I seem to remember that, in Greece at least, the monitors were sold with groundless plugs (the common 2-pin European plug), not the schuko one. But maybe I'm mistaken...
^ the 1084s use a pc-style power cable so they have ground allright.
You only need 5 wires for the video cable: R-G-B-Luma-GND and you'll get an awesome picture ;D
My 1084 has a 2 pin plug, so no ground.
@keropi: R, G, B, Sync and ground are the correct signals to use.
Bryce.
Strictily talking, you don't need to ground it. For example, my DD-1 has no ground :) . I prefer, however, to ground the things if this is possible and have a common ground for the machines that are part of the same setup.
No FD-1 had a ground connection, not even the UK versions. Unless the device had exposed metal on the outside, there was no requirement to have a ground.
Bryce.
Yup, I wanted to say FD-1, I always write it wrong :picard: . The linear PSU I was talking about, however, has a nice metallic case. It is good to ground it, if possible :)
Quote from: Bryce on 11:40, 14 January 17
My 1084 has a 2 pin plug, so no ground.
@keropi (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1781): R, G, B, Sync and ground are the correct signals to use.
Bryce.
does the "plain" CPC 6128 output sync? I thought it was LUMA
edit:
I see now it outputs both :laugh: - sync it is then... as a sidenote LUMA works too on the 1084 , at least the 1084S-P1 (and 8833-II) variant ... they also have 3 pins in the power input - one is ground
also, the video output in general, is it a TTL level one? or it's just SYNC that is TTL?
Luma will work on most monitors as it also contains the Sync signal, however some monitors will not sync properly with Luma unless the extra data has been filtered out.
Only the Sync is TTL, all other signals are analogue.
Bryce.
so isn't it better to connect LUMA instead and not SYNC on a monitor? it's quite a voltage difference afaik
The sync pulse in the Luma signal is exactly the same voltage level. TTL levels for a sync signal are fine on any monitor.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 13:17, 14 January 17
The sync pulse in the Luma signal is exactly the same voltage level. TTL levels for a sync signal are fine on any monitor.
Bryce.
This I did not know , I thought LUMA was analog too. ::)
I don't mind the luma vs sync discussion, any ideas about a PSU then? :D
@||C|-|E|| (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1447) , can you clue me in? :)
Sure, I just need to check in my computer! I am still in Spain, with the phone only :picard:
There are two reasons for connecting to earth / ground (where this is a connection to a metal stake or buried grid in the ground or equivalent, either local to your building or at an electrical sub-station / power line pole).
- For electrical safety - any exposed metal work must be earthed/grounded where there is a possibility of a failure of a wire / connection point / or of insulation resulting in the case becoming live at mains voltage, or any other dangerous voltage.
- For suppresson of electrical noise - screening and radio frequency interference (RFI) suppression works better if the system has a connection to earth/ground.
If you are buying a new 5V power supply, I suggest you buy a known branded item, from a reputable electrical supplier, the things to look for are (or to ask for):
- Is the mains voltage correct for where you wish to use it?
- Is it a fully regulated type?
- Is the output regulated to +5V within +/- 3% (or better)?
- Is the unit rated for a continuous output of 2A (not powering a disk drive), 3A (powering a disk drive) ?
- Does it have short circuit output protection, overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection?
- Does the separation and isolation between the low voltage output and the mains voltage input comply with the electrical standards of your country?
- Is it made to the double insulated standard, or if not, is all exposed metalwork correctly earthed/grounded (with a suitable three pole mains plug)?
- If it is a switching type (SMPSU - switch mode power supply unit), does it have proper RFI filtering
Mark
Here are some links
There are a number of big electrical/electronic distribution companies, two are:
http://www.farnell.com (http://www.farnell.com)
http://www.rs-components.com/index.html (http://www.rs-components.com/index.html)
Of these two, RS has these 5V types available:-
"Plug-in" (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/power-supplies-transformers/power-supplies-psus/plug-in-power-supply/#esid=4294956658&applied-dimensions=4294510944,4294879180,4294883295,4294883332)
"desktop" (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/power-supplies-transformers/power-supplies-psus/desktop-power-supply/#esid=4293400901&applied-dimensions=4292034967,4293173603,4293173714,4293174793,4293174885,4293174954,4293175046,4293175056,4293175071,4293175079,4293175092,4294885237)
I have not fully checked the specifications on all these. But it gives you some idea of what you are looking for.
Now, if you want a PSU that outputs a 12V output to supply a floppy disk drive that needs both 5V and 12V, then none of the above will be suitable. As you then need a dual output type. The 5V output still needs to be fully regulated, but the 12V does not have to be fully regulated.
Mark
Quote from: Gryzor on 13:53, 14 January 17
I don't mind the luma vs sync discussion, any ideas about a PSU then? :D
@||C|-|E|| (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1447) , can you clue me in? :)
Sorry for going off topic Gryzor, just to end the Luma discussion: Luma is an analogue signal with a TTL sync pulse superimposed on top of it.
Bryce.
No worries Bryce, it's interesting indeed!
@1024MAK (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1522) , thanks for the links. Indeed I do need a combo PSU, hence why I'm asking here - if it was just a matter of a good PSU for the main unit it wouldn't be so hard to get one... On the other hand I do think I have an external PSU for my HxC so it's not fatal if the drive stays unpowered.
Sooo... back in UK again!
This is the PSU I bought:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hifi-linear-DC-5V-output-power-25W-USB-amp-DAC-external-power-supply-/131524729527?hash=item1e9f7c1ab7
I opened it to ground and check it and the quality of my unit is actually very good. Moreover, these are very easy to repair and do not interfere with CRT monitors. This one is 5V only, though...
Well this certainly looks the part and I take your word for it being of high quality, but... all told, GBP52 for 5V only... hmmmmmm :(
Ups, I did not notice the price this time :-X It was expensive, but certainly not that expensive. I payed like 30 something, as far as I remember... the other option was to make it myself, but I liked that one, with the nice case :D
Indeed the case is very nice, but it ends up costing as much as my 1084 :D
Quote from: Gryzor on 08:26, 17 January 17
Well this certainly looks the part and I take your word for it being of high quality, but... all told, GBP52 for 5V only... hmmmmmm :(
You need search these type of psu designed fot hdd enclosure.
https://www.amazon.es/NIMO-Alimentador-Dual-5Vcc-12Vcc/dp/B00AWU94ZU
They have DIN to molex adapter, then add One of these and done.
http://retrocables.es/tienda/index.php?id_product=51&controller=product&id_lang=4
Power with those is that they are not linear PSUs and they may cause some kind of interference with the 1084. At least, I found Amstrad monitors to be quite picky in that regard...
Quote from: dragon on 12:06, 17 January 17
You need search these type of psu designed fot hdd enclosure.
https://www.amazon.es/NIMO-Alimentador-Dual-5Vcc-12Vcc/dp/B00AWU94ZU (https://www.amazon.es/NIMO-Alimentador-Dual-5Vcc-12Vcc/dp/B00AWU94ZU)
They have DIN to molex adapter, then add One of these and done.
http://retrocables.es/tienda/index.php?id_product=51&controller=product&id_lang=4 (http://retrocables.es/tienda/index.php?id_product=51&controller=product&id_lang=4)
That's cutting it way too close with the amperage. It would be running at its limit most of the time.
Bryce.
I tell one these type :).
There is another best in A. For example.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunfone-adapter-LaCie-Desktop-External/dp/B00G88HAXI#immersive-view_1484653911261
The DIN->molex solution and these HDD PSUs sounds like a good solution... and the 3A one seems like a viable option I would guess?
But then there's the interference issue that @||C|-|E|| (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1447) mentioned; how does it manifest itself on your CPC monitors?
Well, you see quite a lot of crap in the screen, mainly scrolling bands and noise :) This is due to the switching nature of many modern PSUs. You could plug the PSU as far as you can from the CRT, and even try to filter its output, but in my hands a truly linear PSU, as the original one, is always better. This, and a common ground point for the screen and the external PSU.
Anyway is only a example, not buy the Sun flower , better a best compatible brand tested with these lacie hdd as the jentec jta0707-y :) . Or the owc
http://joemaller.com/1424/worst-component-ever/ (http://joemaller.com/1424/worst-component-ever/)
There are good SMPSU's around with proper filtering etc, just these aren't them. I bought a decent one a few years back for my Neo Geo and it works perfectly since and there's no interference on the screen either, but of course it cost a lot more than the devices linked above. The problem with most of these is that they claim much higher values than they were designed to supply. So a 2A PSU will be sold as 4A etc (it can possibly supply very short peaks of 4A). This means that the PSU is always running at its absolute limit, so it's getting hot, becoming less efficient, which makes it even hotter and eventually it just gives up (with possibly some entertaining hissing beforehand).
I've torn some of these down in the past to look at what parts they actually contain. It's quite common to find a 2A inductor in a Chinese PSU that claims 4A and remember you have to allow for headroom (not my avatar, the other headroom), so 4A would require a 5A inductor. The thing is, they don't care. They have your money and they know that no one is ever going to try to return a faulty device to china, it's just not worth the bother.
Bryce.
Holy crap, who'd have thought it'd be so hard to power my CPC :( Imagine that...
It's not, just go and buy a decent PSU. :)
Bryce.
Sure, will do that. Once I find one that can give me 5 and 12V and enough amperage and won't cause the computer desk to wobble or set it on fire :D
Having a hard time with over complicating stuff!
I thought I'd repost this from another (old) thread....
Quote from: Lazy Dude on 12:19, 04 November 16One quick (ish) solution is to buy a small pc power supply second hand €20 on ebay, post 2000 dell optiplex ones are my fave.You will need to sort out the dc connectors though, but as a reliable psu goes it's just the job.Don't be tempted by cheap chinese stuff you see!
Yeah, but now we're going in circles; I'm aware of the PC PSU solution, but as I said early in the thread, I want to avoid it because I want something tidy...
I saw that, honest I did. I just thought that you would see how diddy and cute they were compared to modern ones!
Quote from: Gryzor on 17:23, 24 January 17
Yeah, but now we're going in circles; I'm aware of the PC PSU solution, but as I said early in the thread, I want to avoid it because I want something tidy...
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/5vcpc/ :)
Bryce.
And then, one of the PSUs Bryce said or the linear one with a cool case :D
Yup, as I was saying earlier on, maybe the 5VCPC proves to be the best solution indeed :D @Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225), any left?
Which PSUs did Bryce mention? I don't remember him suggesting any?
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:08, 25 January 17
Yup, as I was saying earlier on, maybe the 5VCPC proves to be the best solution indeed :D @Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225), any left?
Which PSUs did Bryce mention? I don't remember him suggesting any?
I can't remember suggesting any exact PSU either, I must be getting old :D
Yes, I have only sold 9 of the 15 5VCPC, so there are more than enough left over.
Bryce.
Heheh you and me both :D
Ok, I must take a better look into the board; when you announced it it sounded pretty cool but of no use to me - how times change. Pleas keep one aside for me while I'm looking for a 5V PSU :) (btw how much amperage are we looking into after all, bearing in mind that there's also the usual expansions that have to suck their own? At least 3A I'd say, but I think this sound a bit on the low side?)
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:22, 25 January 17
Heheh you and me both :D
Ok, I must take a better look into the board; when you announced it it sounded pretty cool but of no use to me - how times change. Pleas keep one aside for me while I'm looking for a 5V PSU :) (btw how much amperage are we looking into after all, bearing in mind that there's also the usual expansions that have to suck their own? At least 3A I'd say, but I think this sound a bit on the low side?)
3A will ensure a very stable CPC with 5VCPC and maybe one or two expansions on the back. So I would say look at something between 4 and 5A for a fully loaded system.
Bryce.
Yup, that's what I thought. Let's prowl the eBay! :D
Ok, now I will make a real suggestion: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-Netzteil-AC-DC-Adapter-FSP-Group-FSP020-DGAA1-Output-5-0V-4-0A-/181720877847
This is made by FSP Grouip INC, a well known quality PSU manufacturer (Taiwanese). They make many of the PSUs supplied with laptops and are well designed and pretty efficient too. It has all the proper certification for European use. They tell the truth about it's limits and it even has the correct connector already in place. It's an SMPSU of course, but finding a linear PSU these days is almost impossible.
Bryce.
5V, 4A, small footprint, correct plug (if you say so, can't judge from the photo), aaand a low price to boot! Not much to lose, going to get one, unless you happen to have one stashed around that you want to dispose of, in that case I could buy it along with the board...
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:49, 25 January 17
5V, 4A, small footprint, correct plug (if you say so, can't judge from the photo), aaand a low price to boot! Not much to lose, going to get one, unless you happen to have one stashed around that you want to dispose of, in that case I could buy it along with the board...
Nope in fact I was going to order one for myself too. If it's cheaper, I can order two of them and send it over with the adapter?
The connector dimensions are mentioned on the page.
Bryce.
I also like that one. I may buy one and take it with me to Spain, this way I can power my CPCs in there with it. Either that or I make one myself because I think I have all the components at home, including the transformer :)
Hm, yeah, I think it'd make sense because it's pretty expensive for it to be shipped here... but only if it's no bother for you.
We are definitely overloaded with PSU information and threads thereof!
Maybe someone should MAKE A NEW PROJECT FOR AN ALL-IN-ONE PSU :D
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:11, 25 January 17
Maybe someone should MAKE A NEW PROJECT FOR AN ALL-IN-ONE PSU :D
I made a PSU that could power everything including C64 which needs 9VAC. I eventually sold it to someone who wouldn't take no for an answer. It's nice to have, but will always cost more than individual PSUs.
Bryce.
Just for the record, guys, that someone wasn't me. I always power my c64s with a relevant power source*.
*burning manure
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:28, 25 January 17
Just for the record, guys, that someone wasn't me. I always power my c64s with a relevant power source*.
*burning manure
No, it was a member of a local Commodore User Group (which I like to call Commodores Anonymous :) .... My name is Bob and I have a problem....)
Bryce.
The outlook is never very bright in those Anonymous groups :D
I think their motto is "One shade of brown at a time".
Bryce.
*...but we have the SID.
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:50, 25 January 17
*...but we have the SID.
Only if it has not been nicked to go in an interface for another computer...
Or just died of its own accord like so many C64 chips tend to do.
Bryce.
Dusting up this old topic. I recently purchased a Mean Well RPD-60A medical power supply to power my Commodore 1541-II and 1581. It supplies 5V at 5A and 12V at 2A. https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/RPD-60/RPD-60-SPEC.PDF (https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/RPD-60/RPD-60-SPEC.PDF)
(https://i.postimg.cc/w1wxRKnm/41-CF51-D6-FF5-A-435-E-BE3-E-1-EA616190565.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w1wxRKnm)
Here it is built into a case with a separate power switch and a fuse on the mains side.
I figured that since it's meant for medical applications, it should probably supply as ripple-free voltage as possible.
The ripple may not be much better than other supplies, but it will have much better isolation and protection built in. Good choice.
Bryce.
I figured it would be a good value for money alternative (around 25€) for Amstrads. Of course, you need to spend some more in case, connectors and cables. I'd probably do one for my CPC6128, if I didn't already have the 5VCPC.