Coleco Adam: Replacement Power Supply Project

[Milli Vee]

I am currently in the process of finishing up a replacement power supply for the Adam. It uses a proven power supply that I have been using on the Adam for the past 2 years and other off the shelf components to make a very sleek replacement power supply for the Adam.... http://smartbasic.net/2018/08/02/coleco-adam-replacement-power-supply-project/

 

 

 

 

Milli

[HDTV1080P]

I would be interested because that custom case looks awesome. Also besides being able to plug in the ADAM Printer to the power supply for ADAMNET data pass through, to my knowledge this well be the first ADAM power supply that has the standard 6 pin in/out ADAMNET connection cables.

 

Well this be a power supply you are custom making from scatch for the ADAM computer? Or well you use some type of PC power supply that is placed inside a ADAM case?

 

How many watts well this power supply be? Also even though all ADAM systems were sold in America on a power system that is 120 volts 60Hz, in the ideal world the power supply should be able to handle around 100-240 volts at 50-60Hz so that anyone in the world can use the ADAM if they want too.

Edited August 3, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[HDTV1080P]

Most and perhaps all 3^rd party power supplies for the ADAM computer did not actually power the ADAM printer. Instead after testing what actually occurs is that the DB9 connector on the side of some third party ADAM Printer power supplies is for connecting of the ADAM printer for data communications only, and the printer remains off as long as the power switch on the back of the printer is off. However, as soon as one turns the printer power switch on (located on the back of the actual printer), what actually happens is the printer well not work unless the power cord is also plugged into the electrical outlet. Therefore, the ADAM printer still uses its own internal power supply when connected to a third party ADAM memory console power supply. Therefore, when one wants to use the ADAM printer they have to still turn it on and use the power supply built into the printer. However, the printer does run cooler when connected to a third party ADAM memory console power supply, because the internal printer power supply is only powering the printer and not powering the entire ADAM computer system.

 

There is a bug or unwanted feature in the SmartWriter program and/or all ADAM Printer firmware (This bug or unwanted feature occurs with all Coleco ADAM printers released). Every time the Coleco ADAM memory console is reset the printer advances the paper feed one space. Therefore, after one does several resets of the memory console the paper needs to be reloaded in the Coleco ADAM printer. I did notice one nice improvement about the ADAM printer when connected to a third party power supply. The DB9 connector on the power supply is wired in such a way that the bug or unwanted feature where the ADAM printer advances one space after each memory console reset no longer occurs anymore. This is a very nice improvement not to have to reload the paper after several memory console resets. I hope this new power supply for the ADAM computer you are developing well also stop the unwanted ADAM printer line space advance issue everytime the memory console is reset.

Edited August 3, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[Milli Vee]

Most and perhaps all 3^rd party power supplies for the ADAM computer did not actually power the ADAM printer. Instead after testing what actually occurs is that the DB9 connector on the side of some third party ADAM Printer power supplies is for connecting of the ADAM printer for data communications only, and the printer remains off as long as the power switch on the back of the printer is off. However, as soon as one turns the printer power switch on (located on the back of the actual printer), what actually happens is the printer well not work unless the power cord is also plugged into the electrical outlet. Therefore, the ADAM printer still uses its own internal power supply when connected to a third party ADAM memory console power supply. Therefore, when one wants to use the ADAM printer they have to still turn it on and use the power supply built into the printer. However, the printer does run cooler when connected to a third party ADAM memory console power supply, because the internal printer power supply is only powering the printer and not powering the entire ADAM computer system.

 

There is a bug or unwanted feature in the SmartWriter program and/or all ADAM Printer firmware (This bug or unwanted feature occurs with all Coleco ADAM printers released). Every time the Coleco ADAM memory console is reset the printer advances the paper feed one space. Therefore, after one does several resets of the memory console the paper needs to be reloaded in the Coleco ADAM printer. I did notice one nice improvement about the ADAM printer when connected to a third party power supply. The DB9 connector on the power supply is wired in such a way that the bug or unwanted feature where the ADAM printer advances one space after each memory console reset no longer occurs anymore. This is a very nice improvement not to have to reload the paper after several memory console resets. I hope this new power supply for the ADAM computer you are developing well also stop the unwanted ADAM printer line space advance issue everytime the memory console is reset.

Thanks for pointing this out, I can leave the reset line unhooked.

[Milli Vee]

I would be interested because that custom case looks awesome. Also besides being able to plug in the ADAM Printer to the power supply for ADAMNET data pass through, to my knowledge this well be the first ADAM power supply that has the standard 6 pin in/out ADAMNET connection cables.

 

Well this be a power supply you are custom making from scatch for the ADAM computer? Or well you use some type of PC power supply that is placed inside a ADAM case?

 

How many watts well this power supply be? Also even though all ADAM systems were sold in America on a power system that is 120 volts 60Hz, in the ideal world the power supply should be able to handle around 100-240 volts at 50-60Hz so that anyone in the world can use the ADAM if they want too.

 

The power supply is an off the shelf one - it has 45.5 watts and can handle 100 - 240V input. I have been using this one for over 2 years and a few others have also made their own using the same supply. On the website is more pictures and details.

[HDTV1080P]

It looks like you are using the Mean Well RT-50A and then placing that power supply in a professional neat looking case.

 

Here is the PDF specs and manual for the Mean Well RT-50A if anyone is interested.

[Milli Vee]

It looks like you are using the Mean Well RT-50A and then placing that power supply in a professional neat looking case.

 

Here is the PDF specs and manual for the Mean Well RT-50A if anyone is interested.

 

Yes - if read my blogs (or previous posts here or on facebook) you would have found the link for it.

 

Milli

[Milli Vee]

I have 9 confirmed emails so far saying they would order the power supply and there about 1/2 dozen more that said they would on the blog that I would like to get a "confirmed" email from to bring it up to 15 (see the blog for the form to fill out) http://smartbasic.net/2018/08/02/coleco-adam-replacement-power-supply-project/ - I am hoping to get 30 "confirmed" emails by the end of this month so I can order the parts.

 

Milli

[Milli Vee]

Ordered the parts for the new power supplies, I should have photos / video of the finished power supply next week

[Milli Vee]

I have begun assembling the prototype.

 

Milli

 

 

 

[LoTonah]

Why are you doing all this work on your birthday, Milli? BTW, Happy Birthday!!

[Rey]

Nice work Milli!

[HDTV1080P]

Since the early 1980’s ADAM House (ECOLECO) has been suppling hardware and software for the ADAM computer and the ColecoVision system. ADAM House (ECOLECO) for around 30+ years has had a big warehouse of several thousands of supplies for the ColecoVision/ADAM. ADAM House use to have at least a hundred original Coleco ADAM printer cords, but back in 2017 when ADAM House sold their warehouse they also tossed out several hundreds of working and non working Coleco supplies including over hundred Coleco ADAM printer cords and Coleco power supplies according to a conversation I had with them in 2018. ADAM House just did not have any room anymore for the supplies, and downsized to a few small storage buildings. ADAM House believes that they have at least a dozen ADAM printer cables left but they do not know if or when they will find that small box in inventory.

 

The good news is ADAM House informed me recently that they will contact people in the Coleco ADAM computer community if and when ADAM House finds that missing box of at least a dozen Coleco ADAM printer cords. The original 1983 Coleco ADAM printer DB9 power cord is still the best cord to use when making a third party Coleco ADAM power supply.     

Edited December 12, 2019 by HDTV1080P