Sunmark Real Time Cartridge

[Albert]

http://www.sunmark.com/Sunmark has announced the immediate availability of their new Real Time Cartridge for Atari 8-bit computers. This is a clock cartridge similar to ICD's R-Time Cart, and allows programs on the 8-bit access to an accurate clock. The cartridge works with Atari DOS and SpartaDOS, and will even work in the right slot of an Atari 800 so you can use it alongside other carts. You can find the Real Time Cart at Sunmark.com, along with other interesting Atari 2600 and 8-bit products.

[+Allan]

Is this a pass-through cart like the original ICD cart? If not I would unfortunately be unable to use it because I have a MyIDE harddrive interface cart. It's still pretty cool though. I would like to have one built right into the computer. That would be even cooler.

 

Allan

[krisjohn]

Beat me to it -- definately needs a pass-through. As does their DOS cart.

[Albert]

The Real Time Cart does not have a pass through--that was one of the first things I asked Mark. I used to use an ICD R-Time 8 cart when I was running a BBS. Into an Atari 800XL I had a SpartaDOS X cart, R-Time 8 cart, and Atari BASIC Rev. C cart. I had to be careful, as if you accidently hit this tower of carts, you could very likely crash the machine.

 

..Al

[mos6507]

??

I used to use an ICD R-Time 8 cart when I was running a BBS. Into an Atari 800XL I had a SpartaDOS X cart, R-Time 8 cart, and Atari BASIC Rev. C cart. I had to be careful, as if you accidently hit this tower of carts, you could very likely crash the machine.

<<

 

And wait like all of 10 seconds or so that it took to reboot the BBS off a hard drive

[Albert]

And wait like all of 10 seconds or so that it took to reboot the BBS off a hard drive  

 

Haha, very true. But it was still pretty rude for whoever happened to be on the BBS at the time.

 

..Al

[Super-Genius!]

Beat me to it -- definately needs a pass-through.  As does their DOS cart.

 

Let me explain my reasoning. First, in any "chain" of cartridges,

there is always a LAST cartridge. The R-Time can be the last

cartridge, can't it?

 

Second, let's talk about the different computers the R-Time will be used

on, starting with the Atari 800. It can plug into the right slot!!

And unless you are using Monkey Wrench with the R-Time, you will NEVER need

a pass-through. Can someone give me a reason why you would need a pass-through

on an Atari 800?

 

Now for the Atari 400 and XL line. Most people

will be using a Sparta X cartridge with the R-Time. Again, it plugs right into

the Sparta X cartridge. Let's say there is a situation where you need R-Time

and the cartridges you are using do not have a pass-through, or you are using

Atari DOS. You simply pop the cartridge apart,

and hard wire the circuit board inside your Atari 800XL!! There are only a

few connections!! My Atari 800XL has it hardwired in, so I never have

to worry about cartridges stacked too high, R-Time getting unplugged...etc.

 

The last reason I did not use a pass-through is cost. It would have increased

the cost $25.00 and I figured it was just not worth the added expense.

[+Allan]

Now for the Atari 400 and XL line.  Most people

will be using a Sparta X cartridge with the R-Time.  Again, it plugs right into

the Sparta X cartridge. Let's say there is a situation where you need R-Time

and the cartridges you are using do not have a pass-through, or you are using

Atari DOS.  You simply pop the cartridge apart,

and hard wire the circuit board inside your Atari 800XL!!  There are only a

few connections!! My Atari 800XL has it hardwired in, so I never have

to worry about cartridges stacked too high, R-Time getting unplugged...etc.

 

The last reason I did not use a pass-through is cost.  It would have increased

the cost $25.00 and I figured it was just not worth the added expense.  

 

So you CAN hard wire the cart inside the computer. Cool! Are the instructions for this included with the cart? If not, can you post them here?

 

Thanks,

Allan

[Super-Genius!]

So you CAN hard wire the cart inside the computer. Cool! Are the instructions for this included with the cart? If not, can you post them here?

 

Thanks,

Allan

 

It is VERY easy to hook it up!! The circuit board fits neatly under the

"shroud" of the Atari 800XL. You simply just hook up the wires that

correspond with the edge connector on the circuit board to the

cartridge socket on the Atari 800XL. I soldered the wires to the back

of the board, where the cartridge socket is soldered to the Atari

circuit board.

 

Just use a dab of silicon to hold the board in place...that is it!!

 

Here is a picture:

 

http://www.sunmark.com/pictures/rtime-800xl.jpg

[krisjohn]

Are the instructions for this included with the cart?

 

It is VERY easy to hook it up!!

 

So, are the instructions for this included with the cart?

[Super-Genius!]

The instructions for wiring direct to the computer are not included.

If you plan to hook it up that way, let me know and I will provide

detailed instructions!!