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TI-99/4 (not 4A) power supply AC9900/N (not N2)


globeron

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First of all Ksarul helped tremendously to figure out what the power supply is needed for my TI-99/4

(there are different versions even for different TI-99/4 (not 4A), so be careful, this information is hard to find).

 

 

 

1. Is there someone in the community who has an extra/spare AC9900/N (not N2) meeting these voltage

requirements? I am interested to have one.

(note 1 of the Pins is bigger!), see the picture below.

 

The following picture comes from this webpage (but used translated.google.com for English) - http://www.ti99.com/ti994pow.htm

post-39490-0-77398600-1431781604_thumb.jpg

 

+

+5V ++ ++++ GND

+

 

+12V ++ ++ -5V

(Source picture: Ksarul)

 

 

2. If not, does someone know how to built one easily? (are there pictures of the internals of the AC9900/N

Can it be built easily?

Here is a person who did something similar for an /4A version:

http://justinpaulin.com/2014/04/21/testing-a-texas-instruments-ti-994a-without-power-or-video-cables/

 

 

Background information

3. Here is another interesting read about power supplies

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ti99-4a/conversations/messages/12065

 

Note: this one looks the same,

but it is not the correct one, this is a later version N2:

http://www.pchistory.lv/wp-content/uploads/Power_Texas-Instrument_AC-9900N2_2.jpg

(all pictures: http://www.pchistory.lv/texsas-instrument-ti-994a.html)

 

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One note, the connector pins shown are based on the computer side of the connector. On the picture from TI99.Com, it shows the pins from the power supply side. Both are correct, just use the big pin as your reference point to identify all of the others. I have a pair of these consoles with the slides--and only one pf the power supplies. I have never seen a US version of the console with the slides (although both of mine are NTSC video, as the 99/4 came with a monitor back when these were released). Most of them have manufacture dates between the end of 1979 (week 50+) and early 1980 (week 10 or so), so they are not common at all, even amongst 99/4 variants. Interestingly, several of my US release 99/4s have dates earlier than this--and they don't have the slides. . .

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this power supply for Ti99/4 with speaker.

 

I have no a schématic.

 

Jean Louis

 

 

Thank you both very much for the information! There will be a day we get it started. Step-by-Step.

 

1. Did TI build their own adapter? (or is it "OEM" ?)

I think it will be difficult to find the adapter, but I guess (?) it should not be difficult to built an adapter?

I see people building their own power adapters on youtube:

but I need to find a specialist locally here.

 

I feel I am doing a new "Adventure game" of Scott Adams - How to get the TI-99's working again.

 

 

2. Reading through internet postings, maybe I am now questioning if the European PAL-RF modulator will work?

(but I can test that after the power supply item has been solved).

 

 

http://computermuseum.50megs.com/brands/ti994.htm

A Short Life in Europe

Especially in Europe the TI 99/4 led a short life. When this home computer was introduced in Europe, at the other side of the Ocean it's successor,

the TI 99/4A, was already built. That's why relatively few 99/4's were sold in Europe. Nowadays this machine is a rarity.

 

 

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/archive/index.php/t-28452.html

Ksarul -January 5th, 2012, 06:05 PM
I actually have one of those 99/4s with a speaker and slider. They were made that way because the earliest monitor sold with the /4 in Europe didn't have its own speaker (the computer and monitor were sold as a single package initially). Later the speakers went away and the slider slot was covered. I also have one of the earliest US models of the 99/4 in circulation and it didn't have the slider or the speaker (mine is from early November 1979). The one I have with the slider was made in early 1980 (late January or early February, IIRC).
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Actually, I saw my very first 99/4 while on the escalators in Kaufhaus des Westens in Berlin, Germany during the 1979 Christmas season. It was in a showcase with a couple of the Gamevision cartridges. They were in Europe that early--but they were not too common (and they were just about as hard to find in the US). I saw an article somewhere (in spring of 1981, IIRC) that just 55,000 TI 99/4s had been sold. . .which was considered a major contributor to the dearth of third-party software for the system at the time (because of the extreme length of time it took to reach that minimum useful level of market penetration). Very few of the (then) major software houses were willing to jump through the hoops to do significant development for the tiny TI user base in 1979/1980. That movement over the 50,000 line was actually one of the things began to spur development, as now there were enough systems out there to make it a viable development proposition. . .

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There is some good news, I found someone (Mr. Antoon!) in The Netherlands who had a

spare adapter (he tested it with the TI-99/4), the spare 1x probably broken adapter is on

the way and I hope it are the fuses (2x) that are broken, then it should be okay to go!

 

Jim / Jean-Louis -

For the RF-modulator do you know if a normal TI-99/4A version PAL-RF modulator will work?

(for the European model), because the other person has a USA version and can use a

direct cable for the composite plugs).

I think it will work (maybe except the sound, as the sound is supplied separately?)

Edited by globeron
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Jean-Louis posted an inside picture above of the adapter,

but I will make one as well (I only can test after 20th of June unfortunately

when I am back as the adapter is in NL).

 

There is also an alternative Mr. Ed Schilder replied that it should not be too

difficult to built a power supply (that is the last resort option, which I keep in

mind).

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Jim / Jean-Louis -

For the RF-modulator do you know if a normal TI-99/4A version PAL-RF modulator will work?

(for the European model), because the other person has a USA version and can use a

direct cable for the composite plugs).

I think it will work (maybe except the sound, as the sound is supplied separately?)

 

 

The TI us and TI eur is not same on the vdp.

 

You have what a version?

 

for the TI Eur the video interface is pal or scart ( Peritel en Francais) RGB.

 

Jean Louis

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Jean-Louis posted an inside picture above of the adapter,

but I will make one as well (I only can test after 20th of June unfortunately

when I am back as the adapter is in NL).

 

There is also an alternative Mr. Ed Schilder replied that it should not be too

difficult to built a power supply (that is the last resort option, which I keep in

mind).

Another solution of the power supply

 

 

Use the power supply of another Ti99/4a and the standard transfo

 

the power supply inside of the TI99/4a use 12 volts, +5 and -5 volts.

 

 

Jean Louis

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The TI us and TI eur is not same on the vdp.

 

You have what a version?

 

for the TI Eur the video interface is pal or scart ( Peritel en Francais) RGB.

 

Jean Louis

 

The DIN-plug is the European format with the 6-pin holes (same as the TI-99/4A European version)

that is PAL (I have this RF-modulator), so it should be okay.

 

(I also have an modulator for SCART/RGB, but no TV-device supporting it,

my old VCR still has it, but I am not able to get a screen)

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Another solution of the power supply

 

 

Use the power supply of another Ti99/4a and the standard transfo

 

the power supply inside of the TI99/4a use 12 volts, +5 and -5 volts.

 

 

Jean Louis

 

Okay I will look into this option as well to repair it if components can be exchanged,

I have more of the TI-99/4A (9900/N2) adapter (and 9500, 95000 as well)

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Here is a Picture of a 99/4 (get no picture with him) with inscription :)

 

h85nr23eios.jpg

 

 

with a power adapter I can help possibly. However, missing the console connector plug

 

I have 4 - 99/4, one Europe, one US, which function and a 99/4 with US-5 Pin to TV and Europe Power Supply Connection and another US

which not works, no Picture

 

Link to download my Pictures etc. from my 99/4 comes

 

here the Download Link to my Pictures

 

https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/5f4317ebcff19a5410b1dc3c48106e6120150523232739/aa7b4a

 

the power supply possibly the yellow Elko has to be removed, I have 3 pieces burst (3 Power supplies) at start after a long time !

 

see under (99-4_1_Europe_works) Pictures without the yellow Elko

Edited by Flottmann1
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Here is a Picture of a 99/4 (get no picture with him) with inscription :)

 

h85nr23eios.jpg

 

 

with a power adapter I can help possibly. However, missing the console connector plug

 

I have 4 - 99/4, one Europe, one US, which function and a 99/4 with US-5 Pin to TV and Europe Power Supply Connection and another US

which not works, no Picture

 

Link to download my Pictures etc. from my 99/4 comes

 

here the Download Link to my Pictures

 

https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/5f4317ebcff19a5410b1dc3c48106e6120150523232739/aa7b4a

 

the power supply possibly the yellow Elko has to be removed, I have 3 pieces burst (3 Power supplies) at start after a long time !

 

see under (99-4_1_Europe_works) Pictures without the yellow Elko

 

 

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for these pictures, very helpful!

(Ksarul mentioned already that this need to be documented, because you cannot find it online

("http://www.ti994.com/" and "http://www.ti99.com/ti994pow.htm" mention different power supplies, USA and Europe version)

and now I see a new one with a switch on/off

 

 

(In the mean time I found a person in NL who has sent me an 9900/N adapter (probably broken or maybe the fuse is broken),

but we need to check the internals.

 

* The TI-99/4 I have is the 1st one in your zip format PHC004M P (like you the "P" is engraved)

Do you know what the P means?

(maybe that's the difference why the other European one does not work?, but it is strange that it has 5-DIN (USA) video connector

and a European power supply?

 

 

* Also it looks that I see a difference in 9900/N adapters

(the 99-4_Netzteil_without Plug and with the switch on/off it looks the same internals as Jean Louis - with 2x fuses)

the other one in "99-4_1_Europe_works", looks like it only has 1x fuse ?

 

* What do you mean by "yellow elko" (like elkonite?) or do you mean to remove "rust" ?

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Hi Ralf,

 

Ksarul has helped me (offline) a lot to figure out what the power supply is required, There is more info. Also "Flottmann1" has an adapter with a "switch" on it (different model)

and there are different shapes of adapters. But I need to look into this another later.

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OK. went stairs up´n´down 30 times :) Here the new

 

 

TI-99/4x - POWER-SUPPLIES´ OVERVIEW v.2:

(no guarantee, of course :)

 

Globeron, regarding your need for +12 / +5 / -5 volts, what about just using an old PC´s powersupply (pre-ATX) ?

 

 

(see pic below, v.2) (older version v.1 above will be removed soon)

post-41141-0-91725600-1432490556_thumb.jpg

Edited by schmitzi
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  • 3 weeks later...

OK. went stairs up´n´down 30 times :) Here the new

 

 

TI-99/4x - POWER-SUPPLIES´ OVERVIEW v.2:

(no guarantee, of course :)

 

Globeron, regarding your need for +12 / +5 / -5 volts, what about just using an old PC´s powersupply (pre-ATX) ?

 

 

(see pic below, v.2) (older version v.1 above will be removed soon)

 

There is some light in the tunnel, the electronics shop said the N9000 adapter looks okay to them.

 

For the .xls table pictures should be added I think to avoid confusion.

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Hi, I am not sure, but maybe I had some very small changes there, so here the new table.

Pictures are not possible at the moment, sorry, but this here comes from my very big XLS :)

 

Question: Is it correct, that the 99/4 is the ONLY one which needs -5 volts?

(and that the power with -5V is for 99/4 ONLY ?)

 

 

 

post-41141-0-84580900-1434020225_thumb.jpg

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