C64 power supply issue. Reliable C128 power supply for years to come.
C64 power supply issue So, I've just bought a C64 at a flea market and it was said to have a faulty datassette reader. 6a/250v At the "shack" they just have 1. Stabilized 5V/3. I got a commodore recently, but I’ve been warned that the power supply is likely to fail, and I was considering getting a newer, more reliable one to avoid damaging the computer. $79. Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024. Results are displayed in real time on a digital OLED display. What is the best way to test the power supply before I plug it in to the computer? Hi Antonio, thanks for the comment. In a nutshell, the voltage regulator on the 5 volt DC output tends to fail in such a way that it lets a voltage spike go straight to your C64 motherboard, frying the precious chips. The C64 is really old and dusty, and the case wasn’t even properly closed. 0 out of 5 stars Caution - Potential Overvoltage Issue with C64 PSU Modern Black US. The power supply on my pedals right now seems to be malfunctioning, i’ve tested all my pedals with a different power cable and they work just fine, what’s happening for me is the lights on the pedals are turning on, r/c64 • Power Supply Question. C64 Over Voltage Protector (sometimes called C64 Savers) Build one of your own. 3" x 1. ” It is a device that sits in between the power supply, and the C64, and what it does is it will cut off the power supply to the C64 if it goes out of spec, so it prevents it Notes. Hey thanks for the info guys and the link for Ray's. One way to do this would be a “crowbar” circuit that blows a fuse in case of an over-voltage. They are very reliable and, unlike the original Commodore 64 and VIC-20 power supplies, will not fail in a way that destroys Commodore 64 Power Supply - C64 PSU, (UK 230VAC plug), Black, LED, Power Switch. Replacement power supply for Commodore 64 and VIC-20 Stabilized 5V/2. 4 lb) Compact enclosure with modern shape 125 mm x 59 mm x 42 mm (5. As I do not own special equipment to measure e. I personally use a 128 power supply on my C64 computers and I have no issues with the 1541 UII. Power Supply Test Bench. 4 lb) Custom designed high quality enclosure 158 mm x 71 mm x 51 mm (6. From personal experience (and I would be very very happy to be proven otherwise) finding a 9V AC supply is both difficult and expensive. 5A to be the most it can send. I have a C64c that I am trying to repair, starting diagnosis with the power supply. Another one would be the so-called “C64 Saver” that can be reset after an over-voltage incident without replacing a fuse. In case you need to operate the power supply in higher ambient temperatures, you should consider PETG or ABS for printing or install the PSU in a metal case. Here are some answers. Heather. Replacement power supply for Commodore 128. Prior I used PCAD, so thought this power supply would give me reason to learn Altium. Here is what I have come up with. Maybe a new power supply is in order. I've got an "untested" C64 coming from eBay, untested as they don't have any power cables etc. If anyone has any tips they would like to share on testing the C64 power supply I would be very grateful. Amiga 500 power supply. , Canada, Mexico, Japan, and others) › The C64 came with an original power supply and I’m using it right now since I can’t afford a modern replacement for it. New Model Choice of UK, Europe & High-quality Commodore 64 replacement power supply unit (PSU). Provides stable filtered 5VDC (up to 4. The V is missing in the rating on the schematic it's 7. The Pictorial C64 Fault Guide General tips - Power supply (PSU) It's advisable to at least check your PSU voltages before putting it to actual use, as sometimes its failure can result in overvoltage and kill chips inside a C64. It will cut the 5v rail to the computer in case of an over voltage. The C64, C128, Plus/4 Amiga, Atari, ZX Spectrum, Sinclair QL, TI-99/4A, and ColecoVision PSU was designed from scratch as a high-quality replacement for the original power supply. 5A) so don't think it's that. 1A AC output Over-voltage and over-current protection Fused on AC and DC side and fully isolated On/off AC switch on rear side Output voltages on universal DIN socket Output power cable included with DIN plugs High quality C64 and VIC-20 Power Supply (Modern Replacement) These power supplies are produced by Electroware. I just tested the voltage and it is outputting 4. And there was! the 5vdc was working, but not the 9vac. Because the C64 almost directly uses the 5V to power its chips, higher voltages can become dangerous for the Commodore 64. Replacement power supply for Commodore 64 and VIC-20 I picked up a bread bin C64 recently, and I'm building a new power supply for it. 14 volts DC constantly. 1A The sole purpose of a switching power supply is efficiency, which really isn't needed in old retro gear as it consumes low power as is. The SaV64 is designed to be used with the original C64 power supply. 96 V DC (which is good), but instead of 9V The C64 PSU was designed from scratch as a high-quality replacement for the original Commodore power supply. Any one know where I can get a fuse for the power supply that came with the 1764 REU? 1. Or if you like soldering and tinkering, get a 5V DC wall wart with about 2 amps (or more if you plan on putting lots of crap on the expansion bus), then carefully slice open the brick's power cable and disconnect the Commodore side and solder in C64 Over-Voltage Protection Recently, I purchased a Commodore 64 with the original power supply. 99 $ 79. Also, I should mention I'm using an official raspberry pi power supply (2. C64 PSU Tester. Yet a common failure among Commodore 64/128 systems is the power supply. These types of solutions work great if you want to forego a power saver. Commodore's original power supplies like to blow up your Commodore 64 as they age. Several years ago I used a 5V switching supply for C64 repairs. Since, I've devoted more time to repairing the stuff I obtained, and less time on the power supply. The C128-C64 power supply adapter converts from the Commodore 128 square DIN5 power plug standard to the Commodore 64 round DIN7 power plug. dmackey828 Zorro Posts: 1268 Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:18 am Location: Fulton, NY Age: 57. Plenty of power and works great to this day. Power adapter converting Commodore 64 DIN7 round plug to Commodore 128 DIN5 square plug. Years ago I modded a C64 to run from a PC power supply with only 5 and 12VDC (no I used this occassion as an excuse to “de-dust” all of my disk drives and use them as parts of testing sets. Dual power supply supports both C64 and FDD 1541-II series ; Compact enclosure with modern shape 125 mm x 59 mm x 42 mm (5. bwack Source and I have a C64 power supply which was made by a company in Poland. And of course Penny makes an appearance. My original vic20 is sitting in a box and looks like I'll have a winter project coming up. 4v dc is safe, and 8-11v AC is Repairing my repairable C64 power supply. Follow the Commodore spec for your connections, using a multimeter for confirmation, as the wire colors may not always be correct. A C128 power supply is a great option. This issue however is new to me- I have no video signal at all. Regarding the hardware, I'm using a pi3 for mine and it displays temp on the LCD display in real-time with the option in pi1541. Pre-owned · Commodore. 1A AC ensure continued error-free operation of your C64. Conveys 9V AC and +5V DC. 1: You can not use the AC 9V to power any of the DC 5V circuit. D. Wire for C64 Power Supply. The Our C64 PSU is modern, replacement power supply unit for Commodore C64 and VIC20. For comparison, I used voltage values from five original Commodore 64 power supplies (a variety of beige and browns orignal C64 PSU’s) as well as a state-of-the-art I have a C64c that I am trying to repair, starting diagnosis with the power supply. Using a dual power supply solution with the SaV64 is just a feature. £14. You can buy aftermarket power supplies EX USA and ship them over. I have Altium and been wanting to learn the program better. 99. Is the same issue valid for the vic20? If so, what resellers of psu do you recommend? I'm in the EU. My issue is that I have four C64s (2 x breadbin + 2 x C64C) I still use the Commodore 1764 REU power supply. Commodore 64 power supply unit (PSU) automated tester. In which the author discusses the very simple repair of his repairable power supply. 49. It conveys +5V DC and 9V AC. Sort by: The plot thickens. Finally, you could use a 5 volt DC 2A phone charger to replace just the 5 volt supply at the power supply if you have no money to buy a new power supply. Link to buy one enjoy. The third solution is to add the missing over-voltage protection between the power supply and the C64. Top. It will not increase the amps you can get out of the original power supply so hardware hackers loading down their C64 with many accessories will probably need a new power supply with a higher spec. Navigation Menu Toggle navigation. All the sources of information I've found have been very conflicting (been researching for a few days). Multiple enclosure sizes and colors, LED illumination. Forces a constant current from the power supply and measures voltage levels and ripple. These power supplies either fail by a broken voltage regulator, or by a shortcut in a diode. The problem is with the Commodore 64 itself. The C128-C64 power adapter is made of high quality connectors and cables. My current best approach to suggest is to use the Electroware C64 PSU(s). Unfortunately it was one of those power supplies where everything inside the case has been glued into one big block filling the entire case. If you use a 50Hz transformer in a NTSC region, or 60Hz in a PAL region, I'd expect the only issue to be the TOD clock running slightly slower or faster than normal. Then the transformer from the 13-83 power-supply, with the residual cool-grey epoxy I'm leaving between the windings and laminations, and the patch on the edges of the plates that I couldn't remove fully due to the lack of masking-tape protecting them. C64-C128 PSU Adapter. So for USA and Canada C64 users, they C64 Datassette power issue . Repairing such a mess seemed This guide lists pictures of various Commodore 64 problem scenarios along with their descriptions and known causes. A picture of the power pack and the schematic from Zimmers site. This is specifically why we have designed a replacement C64 and C128 PSU. Converts Commodore C64 pinout to Commodore C128. When I get it, Im gonna check inside to make sure nothing has exploded or rotten before I attempt to turn it on. For Ultimate II+ do not use auxiliary power supply, so the PSU must provide whole power. I'm considering buying a TheC64 Maxi, but amazon. Weight only 0. The main issue with the original C64 power supplies is the 5V line. Dual power supply supports both C64 and FDD 1541-II series. 0A DC switching power module with an anti-ripple filter, along with a true transformer-based 9V/1. Sitting in open air, the regulator overheated, so I suspect the epoxy pulled Plus I have no idea if PAL SNES power supply would work right with 60Hz power. 5A, You can buy two power adapters and wire them to your old c64 plug, which is kind of messy. Most likely it only requires as much as the mini. Testing the connector pins and connecting the datassette unit to an external power supply I discovered that the pin c3 is supposedly not providing power to the motor. 5A. Modern style chassis. Designer LED-illuminated casing. It's a lot lighter and more compact than the original C64 power supplies. Just push a known good memory chip over the chip to be tested. g. When I power up the machine, the power led comes on and there is the usual brief black blank Last year I took all the heat sink from a junk C64 power supply and mounted a linear regulator to it. Because Rafał claims we can draw up to 3A from his supply, I also included my brand new 1541 Ultimate cartridge. This page describes how to fix your power supply. M. Commodore - changing the world 8 Power supply failures are among the most common problems among all retro computer systems. The results are displayed in real time on a digital OLED display. Moderator: Lemoners. Stabilized and filtered +5V/2. 50/Unit) Free In proper hands they have a chance of surviving another 30 years. S. The power supply contains 1A diodes without any cooling, while it is rated for 1. Replacement power supply for Commodore 64 and VIC-20 If your power supply is out of spec it will cause physical damage to the machine and the chips inside of it. 5 Ampere. I want to make sure I do this right so I do not cause further destruction to the machine. I have a box chock full of working original C64 power supplies, which is the main reason I wanted to build the SaV64. I added 3 overvoltage protections based on MC3423: 1) 5. The power supply has a sturdy custom-made chassis with an OLED digital display monitoring the output voltage and uptime. Commodore 64 (C64) or VIC 20 Power Supply (PSU) With A Sensory Issue. 5V is the max rated voltage of C64 components Power Supply Issue . To test your The piggy back method gives you an educated guess identifying the faulty IC. I'm gonna get his cheap wall wart C64 supply for now just so I can begin testing these two c64s, 1541, and 1082 monitor. 0A DC output with anti-ripple filter. 5a or 2. de only has the "no PSU" version in stock, so I need to get my own power supply. What could it be? Suggestions on the back of an envelope please. 6") Round DIN7 plug for C64 and DIN4 plug for FDD. I'm trying to find a range of voltages that are safe, sort of like a GO/NO GO gauge for my supply. It is called the C64 PSU and the power supply has stabilized 5VDC (2A) and 9VAC (1. Unfortunately I bought some C64 stuff to avoid practicing power supply designs on my original. Looking for the perfect C64 PSU ? You have found it! Features: - OLED Display - Touch Sensor. Then I'll build my own rebrick of the black C64 power brick as per the rebrick 3 part series on YouTube. 0" x 2. spannernick Zorro Posts: 1146 Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:53 pm Location: London,UK Age: 53. I posted about the issue's it is having over on the AtariAge forum. Replacement power supply for Commodore 64 and VIC-20 Supposedly they are less prone to failure. From what I have heard, these power old supplies commonly fail and output a high voltage. Nevertheless, if a C64 power supply fails, it often kills the C64, so I would definately not connect it to any C64 again until it has either been repaired or replaced. However NES is quite common, its power supply is 9v ac 1 amp and it's fairly common around here. I've just returned to the C64 after a 33 year hiatus. Replacement power supply for Commodore 64 and VIC-20 Buy commodore 64 power supply products and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! New listing Commodore 64 C64 / VIC-20 Power Supply Unit PSU (Beige) - Tested and Working. Our power supply tester series for Commodore C64, C128, Amiga 500/500+/600/1200, Atari XL/XE, and ZX Spectrum +2A/+2B/+3 was created specifically to address this issue. 26 posts Previous; 1; 2; SysopSID William Wobbler Posts: 57 So I noticed a slight issue with my power supply today. I have these two wall warts: Owners of a C64 using an original power supply should regularly (for example, once a year) check the 5V DC function of their power supplies, as they tend to produce higher voltages as they wear out. Buy one on Ebay For the Commodore side of the connector, you can make your own cable with a 7-pin DIN, or cut the end off an old failed power supply. EU-standard 230V AC Power supply failures are among the most common problems among all retro computer systems. Full-featured Amiga 500 PSU optimized for size and performance. Use it as a tool to assist in diagnosing C64 issues, to get a general idea of what might be wrong with your machine. They supply a more correct AC voltage The C64 PSU was designed from scratch as a high-quality replacement for the original Commodore power supply. 0") Round DIN7 plug for C64 and DIN4 plug for FDD. Finally, a few pictures showing the damages that can occur during de-potting of the transformer. When I power up the machine, the power led comes on and there is the usual brief black blank screen but the blue start screen never follows. 230V AC This is on a PAL C64. Well, I'm back from the Real It also occurs to me that perhaps the C64 is having some sort of issue with the C64 Power Supply Units. our C64 / C128 power supplies resemble a modern power supply with a slick shape of 125 mm x 59 mm x 42 mm (5. There are numerous ways to test power supplies. The product page on amazon says that it needs 5V@1A, but in other places some people are saying that it needs more, ideally a proper Raspberry Pi power supply with 5V@3A. RetroPower PSU C64 OLED Digital International - Replacement Commodore 64 Power Supply. Here’s the files for the Commodore 64 power supply I built in this video. I checked the voltage for the power supply since I heard they could kill your system at any given time and it was fine, 10V AC and 5V DC. 7v-5. 1A In this episode I detail how I go about rebuilding C64 power supplies. They give a solid power source to raspberry pi device. Some recommend dropping them altogether and using newer replacements instead. High-quality Commodore 64 replacement power supply unit (PSU) with an additional power output for an FDD 1541-II/1571-II/1581. Some people are saying 4. I changed a lot of PLA's and memory controllers, when I hand made my own linear supply I haven't changed much either of those. C64 - Black screen, looks like a power issue. C Power supply delivers current well slighlty higher than 2 A from 5V line. 5. An over-voltage protection circuit could save my whole computer, so I UPDATE, 6 Mar 2021: I've solved this problem. I recently purchased a Commodore 64 off eBay. Find a working C128 supply and swap a C64 cable onto it. Skip to content. Round DIN7 plug matching the original C64 PSU pinout. Commodore 128 replacement PSU. Power Tester for Commodore 64 and VC-20 ; Additional input for testing the FDD 1541-II/1571-II/1581 power supply ; Forces a constant current from the 5V DC and 9V AC power supply outputs. A reliable new Commodore 64 power supply has arrived. User Control Panel You know the c64 PSU is like a brick,I was thinking why they put epoxy in it,well if you had a Amiga psu and a c64 psu and drop them from a great height,the c64 psu would Forces a constant current from the power supply and measures voltage level and ripple. I also get the normal different voltage readings at RetroPower PSU C64 FDD Dual International Replacement Power Supply for Commodore 64 + FDD 1541-II, EU/UK/AU Plug 1 offer from £6599 £ 65 99 Next set of slides C128 to C64 power conversion. Our stylish C64 power supply should keep your Commodore64 running for another 40+ years. Commodore International was an American home computer and electronics manufacturer founded by Jack Tramiel. This item: C64 FDD Dual PSU Modern Gray US - Replacement Commodore 64 + FDD 1541-II Power Supply, US Plug . Just be sure to get a 5VDC and 9VAC power supply that you know are good quality to use along with it. 0a. I have tried the power supply with a different c64 and it works, so the power supply isn't the issue. 8" x 2. 2: The DC-DC converters are definitely the way Robust and reliable design. Thanks 2. RAM, or maybe your 6502 processor are dead when over The old Commodore 64 power supplies are prone to failure with over-voltage on the 5V line that will destroy your computer. 6"). Frequently bought together. This method has been done many times in the Arcade scene / repairs. The 9 Volt alternating current (AC) is the reference frequency for the internal clock and - after being rectified - it is used to power the SID Found your power supply it was designed by William Levak at Commodore for the Commodore 64, the part number for the power supply is 902503-02. I also give some alternatives to rebuilding. Another common power problem is a wonky power switch that doesn't The original power supply of my C64 was broken. Modern power supply unit PSU for your vintage Commodore computer system. It should be possible to load the 5 Volt of the external power supply with at least 1. So I picked up a clean C64 unit that was in someone's closet for years with little use but I don't want to power up given all the power supply horror High-quality Commodore 64 replacement power supply unit (PSU). So completely external to the existing supply. It also has an over A random reddit search brought me to you guys, and a read of the posts highlighted an issue with the c64 power supply. Since I'm not the best with electronics, I didn't wanna build my own power supply, and I didn't wanna shell out 40 bucks for another c64 psu on ebay, especially since it could just go bad as well. 0A!) by industrial grade AC/DC power supply and full 9VAC (1,11A max) provided by classic heavy duty linear A common reply to anyone posting here about finding a C64 is: Ditch the power supply! Don't use the original power supply! However, the only part of the original power supply to fail is the 5V DC circuit. Or if you have your original supply, run a power saver device with it. I decided to try and measure the 9VAC and 5VDC pin outs on the power supply with a multimeter. If they fail, they go to zero volts instead of the chip killing higher voltage. If the fault changes/improves, you have a good chance of pin pointing the faulty chip without soldering. Power Supply Overview. I think the c64 maxi uses a micro-usb which I believe 2. I'm also on his Patreon site so happy to add my experiences to yours If it was me, I would purchase a Canakit power supply. But, I would not try this with the cart plugged into the C64. The video output is showing some faint "ripples" running vertically down the screen. Post by JoeG » Tue Feb 20, The board is a 250425. For help with C64 hardware, software etc. I have a voltage monitor on my C64, and this power supply hums along at 5. 5V trip 120 us delayed to avoid small spikes to trigger overvoltage protection (OVP). Power supply failures are among the most common problems among all retro computer systems. It contains a +5V/2. 2" x 2. Reliable C128 power supply for years to come. 6") Round DIN7 plug for C64 and DIN4 plug for FDD ; US-standard 120V AC power plug (U. 0A DC along with 9V/1. Quality confirmed by thousands of C= users worldwide! Electroware Shop The only negative issue was that this psu is a Dual power supply supports both C64 and FDD 1541-II series ; › See more product details Report an issue with this product or seller. 50 (£14. Seems the first logical thing to do is replace the power supply. This was designed by my long time supporter S. I already C64 power supply which hasn't been used in years. As I am new to this (the one I have is the first commodore I’ve had in my life), I don’t want to mess it up and buy one that won’t work correctly. C64 power supplies are ancient, they go bad every day so use protection! - tebl/C64-Power-Saver. 11A) outputs using heavy-duty transformer units. Thanks. I have verified that the power supply and the LED light are good by using them on working boards. Designed specifically for C64 and VIC-20 systems to preserve them in a pristine condition for years to come. So I do not think you will measure excessive voltage at the PSU. Do any of you recommend C64 PSUs that I HAVE NOT LISTED in this blog post? (A lot of people recently recommended Kevin Ottum's Nu Brick, so I have to add that) I'm looking specifically for ones that can be used in the U. £13. Robust and reliable. The case was designed to fit the illuminated Commodore Logo or 64 Logo (in my repository). High-quality Commodore 64 replacement power supply unit (PSU). 0A DC output with anti-ripple filter Transformer-generated 9V/1. You will be able to unplug and use the "Jackulator" as I am calling it with any C64 power supply. High-quality replacement PSU for C64. An alternative to protecting your Commodore 64 from power surge when using an original power supply - costs less than a modern power supply. VIC-20, C64, C128, Amiga 500, 600, 1200, CD32 The power's back! There are 15 products. Those chips can be time consuming and expensive to replace, if they're available at all! Power Supply Overview. 5VA and not 7. ripple noise I therefore simply used my multimeter for the voltage tests. Or if you're lucky use the power supply Commodore shipped with the 1764 REU, that's essentially a 128 power supply with a plug for the 64. The reason is they have to be completely galvanically separated as the AC 9V is later used to generate 12V DC inside the C64 (see my other article about the internal power supply). For more current DC-DC converter should be changed or heatsinked. and all the files to make your own are provided publicly and free of charge: Documentation (pdf): Now that I did a bit of research, I first checked the power supply to see if there was an issue there. . If the power falls away, it doesn't sound like the typical overvoltage situation for a C64 PSU. Post by dmackey828 » Sun Jul C64 Power Supply . Also I would very much suggest that you get a “C64 Saver. Runs cold. 7 kg (1. This series of power supplies gives your system a fresh start, minimizing the risk of damage due to an ageing factory power supply. Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12. If your real You can try re-seating the plug and wiggling the wire as well - often they can be the culprit instead of the supply itself. The tester features an aluminum heat sink to perform long-term tests. enough to melt that precious silicon! Your options are either to get a brand new power supply or combine your old one with a C64 power saver for as long as that'll still be around, Dual power supply supports both C64 and FDD 1541-II series. So this is embarassing- I'm working on restoring an old C64 (250425) and I was ready to face many issues- the power supply was dead, I got a new one- I have a spare PLA and a dead test since in general those are the issues I've faced before. tpomlvxamrqiczbailbnmqhnbiropslybvtvrfbgzbtgkfhgq