Atari 800 Modern Power Supply

[+toddtmw]

Has anyone ever tried something like this to power an original Atari 800?

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B886CWS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1502120464&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX150_SY217_QL65&keywords=9vac+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=21Y8gXVFA6L&ref=plSrch

 

Thanks.

[Kyle22]

That one doesn't provide enough current. It may work for a short while, getting hot and eventually burning out.

[+toddtmw]

That's what I was afraid of. Has anyone found a suitable modern replacement?

 

Thanks.

[+skr]

I use this one, but don´t know if it is available in the US: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00EA13U3E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Wilheim]

There's a dealer on AliExpress that can make your own power supply. Here's an example:

 

 

http://s.aliexpress.com/rENFBZnM

[fibrewire]

I wish I had a single transformer with multiple isolated outputs for all the atari gear stuffed in a atari themed box. Something like this:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1SpotProCS7

[+DrVenkman]

I wish I had a single transformer with multiple isolated outputs for all the atari gear stuffed in a atari themed box. Something like this:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1SpotProCS7

 

Besides the cost, the biggest issue with that one, of course, is that all the outputs are DC. The 400/800/1200XL/1050 bricks are all 9VAC.

 

I've got a dead C64 power brick I need to replace and that monstrosity provides separate 5VDC and 9VAC outputs. Jeez ...

[Osgeld]

yea and the only thing you really need the ac part for is the ram, and as far as I can tell you really only need the high current so the supply rides high on its output voltage as it feeds a 7812 (cant regulate 9 volts to 12 volts without some magic), with the 400 I just sold I think the total system draw (no carts or accessories) was around a half amp

 

it also feeds to a 7805, which the old ones in the machine are probably 1 amp models, so you got a 9VAC power supply floating around 14, going though a diode bridge rectum fryer drops it down to ~13 ish and direct into the 7805 = large heat sink

 

but I cant personally think of a more economical system for the original price range of the machines using late 70's technology (I mean the apple II has a switching power supply, it also cost 2-3x as much for a similar setup)

Edited August 7, 2017 by Osgeld

[+toddtmw]

So, can I use the 1.5 amp adapter?

[Level42]

 

 

I've got a dead C64 power brick I need to replace and that monstrosity provides separate 5VDC and 9VAC outputs. Jeez ...

 

 

Then again.....once it works again you can cook your eggs on it again......I still remember my uncle's solution for that: He "installed' a fan on it. I swear that was the first fan-cooled computer I ever saw....it was great (except we couldn't understand each other because of the freaking noise....)

[+toddtmw]

I use this one, but don´t know if it is available in the US: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00EA13U3E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Looks like that is only 2.1 amps. Is thaat enough?

[+davidcalgary29]

Serpentor was selling adaptors for the PSP power supply earlier this year; perhaps he has one left. They're excellent.

[Bryan]

Because many Atari products run on AC, they should be simply be powered by a transformer. Because the transformer is rectified to DC and tied to ground, they should all have separate transformers or at least be on separate secondary windings, otherwise you risk all kinds of problems with loops and incompatible grounds.

 

You can easily make a 2 device supply by getting a transformer with 2 separate 9VAC secondary windings (4 wires, not 3 with a center tap) or you can bypass the internal supply and wire in a switcher, but it isn't worth it in most cases unless the device already needs repair.