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Can a CPC 664/6128 be powered thru a USB port.

Started by CPC_FREAK_BELGIUM, 20:30, 07 October 23

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CPC_FREAK_BELGIUM

Hello Folks

I have some questions about using a CPC without the original monitor. Special cables are available to connect the CPC to an LCD screen.

The problem is the power supply, my question is whether a CPC664 can be powered thru a USB port. 

I would like to use the items below for this and was wondering if anyone has experience with this.

-https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005124774428.html
-https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004118413025.html (this requires the polarity to be reversed if I'm not mistaken)
-https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005058325558.html

Thank you in advance.

Greetings from Belgium

CPC_FREAK_BELGIUM

Ynot.zer0

#1
I believe the motherboard can be powered by 5v, not sure how many amps, usb is usually 2, should be okay. However, the disc drive needs 12v.

There is a guy who will sell you an all in one PSU that powers the machine and the disc drive - I use that cable myself.  You can get them from cool-novelties on ebay, that would be your best option

www.coolnovelties.co.uk/coolnovelties
Look under retro computers and amstrad cpc

SerErris

USB is defined as 0.5 A per port, without any additional negotiation. USB C and esp. USB 4 can deliver massively more, but not with 5V. I think with 5V it is limited to 3A.

Anyhow that requires negotation between the USB port and the Receiver, so the "power supply" would need to singal that it can pull 3A. 

Not every USB port thos does support higher output than 0.5A.

So it depends.

A 664 can anyhow never be fully powered by USB as it requires 12V for the disk drive. Only a modded 664 can be powered (e.g. gotek) by USB.

The stepup converter will not make it better. It can still only deliver max 15w ... for 5V that is 3A .. but for 12V that is only 1,25A ... and if you reduce the 1.5A the CPC needs from 5V rail only 0,58 A is left for 12V rail. 

That would be not enough and actually I do not think it is a good idea at all.

Better look for a power supply with two voltages (12V and 5V) and put the correct connectors on, or buy it ready.

Like this one:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/324218253955?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&campid=5338328878&toolid=10029&customid=16967256115610046595915511119008005

Proud owner of 2 Schneider CPC 464, 1 Schneider CPC 6128, GT65 and lots of books
Still learning all the details on how things work.

poulette73

Quote from: SerErris on 01:40, 08 October 23Like this one:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/324218253955?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&campid=5338328878&toolid=10029&customid=16967256115610046595915511119008005
👍

This is exactly the model that I have owned in 2 specimen, for my 2 CPC 6128s, for several years.

No problem at all, I highly recommend it.
And it's powerful enough to use any expansion card on the CPC, without having to externally power a Mother X4 containing multiple expansions.

fgbrain

_____

6128 (UK keyboard, Crtc type 0/2), 6128+ (UK keyboard), 3.5" and 5.25" drives, Reset switch and Digiblaster (selfmade), Inicron Romram box, Bryce Megaflash, SVideo & PS/2 mouse, , Magnum Lightgun, X-MEM, X4 Board, C4CPC, Multiface2 X4, RTC X4 and Gotek USB Floppy emulator.

GUNHED

Yes, it only needs 5 Volts and 2-3 Ampere. Better 2-4 with expansions.
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

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