Omega-TI Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 The internal power supply in the TI console takes up some room, but is it still really needed? Is there a smaller more modern external power supply we could easily purchase as a replacement? If so... Would it be feasible to design a new Nano-PEB replacement, or SD card based storage unit to fit in the area of the power supply? If so, it would require a slit be cut in the side of the TI to accommodate the easy removal/insertion of an SD card. There is just something about having it all in the console that appeals to me, and there are people who do not have or don't want a full-sized P-Box. Just a +idea. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Now that's a great idea! Would miss the convenience of having the cup warmer where it is though. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift838 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 i would think given the success I have experienced with the OpenSource USB interface and the TI, it should be possible to do this along the same thinking. may be possible to use current open source adruino boards that the firmware is easily upgradeable. I know there are projects for other computers based on the open source boards for mass storage, memory and serial interfacing. it may take a main board to be layed out for the others to plug into. I was thinking even along the lines of a totally redesigned module PEB! pick the module and you just plug it in.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister35mm Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Why not an ARM based board? Pi-Zero? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towmater Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 In the ColecoVision at least, adding an F18A means it no longer needs a negative five volt supply, and the ram chips can be removed. That could be possible with the TI as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 You can definitely remove the RAM chips, but there may be one or two other things using the -5V. I'd have to do a schematics deep-dive to be sure one way or the other. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredrik Öhrström Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 The tape input uses -5v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 The tape input uses -5v. As indeed does that rather important component known as "the processor". There are multi-voltage power supplies around that are the size of a laptop power supply, and which give +5V and +12V, but I haven't seen one that does -5V as well. You could use a small +5V to -5V inverter board, but that is then something else that has to be added to the mix. You could still do away with the bulky TI transformer though. Stuart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+acadiel Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I wonder if something like this would be beefy enough to supply the -5V, +5V and +12V the console needs. (See example on the left in the PDF). We could replace both the TI transformer and the internal PSU with this. P50A-T-spec.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) acadiel, on 21 Feb 2016 - 8:43 PM, said: I wonder if something like this would be beefy enough to supply the -5V, +5V and +12V the console needs. (See example on the left in the PDF). We could replace both the TI transformer and the internal PSU with this. Looks more than capable. The TI console with TI XB cartridge draws around the following current: +5V: 950mA +12V: 330mA -5V: Didn't measure it, but probably not more than a couple of milliamps. Someone going to give it a go? (Good find Acadiel) Stuart. Edited February 21, 2016 by Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Jameco Electronics sells it, but it ain't cheap! < HERE > Anyone find a less expensive source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElectricLab Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Greg and I were chatting about this yesterday, and I would love to be involved in such a project. I was thinking that there is a lot of space above the board inside a speech synthesizer, and that it would be a good place to add a board. The little door on top would be where you'd plug in a CF or SD card. Does anyone know - would it be possible to get the detailed specs/gerbers/code of the NanoPEB so we can pick up from there? So much brilliant work was done for the NanoPEB and it would be a perfect place to start from. I want to add, in addition to 32K ram and RS232 support, a micro controller to talk to a WiFi sub-board. I'd like to make a simple bridge that the TI would see as RSC2. That way programs like Stuart's browser could easily do networking. All you'd need to get on the web then would be Stuart's browser on a cart and a modded speech synthesizer, which I think a lot of people have. They seem to be fairly inexpensive on eBay and readily available. It'd be a good DIY project, with boards and chips available on ArcadeShopper. Just thinking/dreaming out loud What do you all think? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+acadiel Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Jameco Electronics sells it, but it ain't cheap! < HERE > Anyone find a less expensive source? Yep, for a triple output power brick, that's about what you're going to pay. Only other real option is maybe a small PC power supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Yep, for a triple output power brick, that's about what you're going to pay. Only other real option is maybe a small PC power supply. I will gladly pay it if and when such an SD storage device is ever made for the TI that screws & mounts into that location. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced this could be THE item that brings a bunch of people into the TI. Why? 1) Lots of people are limited for space and do not have a lot of room for a massive amount of cords and connections. 2) Many people like "Plug-N-Play" like the F18A, it's internal and requires a little carving, but it's wildly popular. A) A device like this could even have a serial port with a connection scheme similar to the F18A's A serial port that I'm sure could be 100% TI compatible. 3) Of course wanting the best of both worlds on the SD card, it should emulate DSK1-4 plus a hard drive environment. 4) Naturally 32K would be present. Now if I had this, I'd probably want to get another F18A and then the wireless keyboard project as well for one TOTALLY MODERN, yet TOTALLY COMPATIBLE super duper UBER TI! Yes, this actually gets me excited like a kid in a candy store. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 why not use one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/272090993022?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 why not use one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/272090993022?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82 I like the price better, and this would probably work fine for a stationary system, but the system I'm planning is going to be portable. This supply is not all enclosed and electrically isolated like I'd prefer for power supply that will be taken to and fro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I like the price better, and this would probably work fine for a stationary system, but the system I'm planning is going to be portable. This supply is not all enclosed and electrically isolated like I'd prefer for power supply that will be taken to and fro. Shrug just mount it inside and wire up a standard power receptacle on the back like any computer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyDean Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Shrug just mount it inside and wire up a standard power receptacle on the back like any computer That's how I have my Kaypro case setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimes99er Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 (edited) Perhaps a longshot. I guess this idea is not new, but here goes anyway, with perspective very much from my end of the world. I guess I could be interested in getting hold of a TI-99/4A. I'm emulation only right now. Development would probably still be emulation only, so the real TI would be for testing only. But then extensive testing can eat away hours. Top priority for the TI would be easy access to update of cartridge ROM. Apart from 8K, 16K and probably 32K would be mandatory, - 64K probably also. 256K would be nice to have too. I don’t want to burn EPROMs myself, so I envision something with a SD-card and perhaps USB connectivity. Second priority would be 32K Memory Expansion and easy access to disc drive. And this is not going to come in the form of the original PEB. I envision something like the CF7/nanopeb, but sadly the situation there as said is deteriorating, - otherwise, and again, something with SD-card and perhaps USB connectivity. So what I would want is a “super cart” and a “super side-port expansion”. And they do not have to come in nice boxes. Exposed boards are fine. You probably heard about the Raspberry Pi Zero. The $5 computer. Now take a look at this project. http://amigadrive.blogspot.it Yes. I'm proposing having Raspberries sticking out of those two ports. https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-zero/ Edited February 25, 2016 by sometimes99er 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic1975 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 It would be just fine to have floppy controller to connect Floppy emulator(or something else) and memory expansion on one board. This could be put in small box and connected to TI99/4a side port. This can be replacement for CF7/Nano PEB expansion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyDean Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 It would be just fine to have floppy controller to connect Floppy emulator(or something else) and memory expansion on one board. This could be put in small box and connected to TI99/4a side port. This can be replacement for CF7/Nano PEB expansion. I believe that a SCSI/floppy controller using FPGA and the SCSI2SD or similar, would be a great project and could be about the size of a speech synthesizer or NanoPEB/CF7+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.