kevates Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Vic-20 - Looking for working bare console that works with a C64 power supply (round power supply connector) for a reasonable price. C64 - looking for a working bare console - original breadbin model for a reasonable price. Let me know if you can help me out. - Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Any reason why you are looking for a VIC with a round DIN power connector? The two prong connector model power supply is not susceptible to the damage that is caused by the faulty power supply on the round DIN power models....so you do not need any "power saver" type of device to protect it. I have confirmed this with Ray Carlsen. In that respect it appears the two prong connector model is somewhat superior. Other than the power type, it works the same. Mine is a two prong model (non-CR model) and it works like a dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 I own several old c64 power supplies. My understanding is they are not compatible with the 2 prong model, but are compatible with the model with the round DIN power connector. That’s the reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 That is correct, but also all those old C64 power supplies of yours are ticking bombs unless they're serviced or happen to be more recently designed (past 20 years or so). On the other hand, a bare two-prong VIC-20 minus the power supply can be tricky to get powered. You might not need all 3A but at least 9VAC 2A plus the C1/C2 connector for a NTSC one. Also they run hotter inside so except for the possible 5V overvoltage issue with the DIN style ones, I'd say the later VIC-20CR may be just as good or better than the earlier two-prong ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 (edited) So where can I get a safe power supply that will work on both a breadbin C64 and a VIC? What’s the best option? Edited November 26, 2020 by kevates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 There are a few resellers like those Ray Carlsen sells for $35 and upwards. I believe you can find more choices e.g. on eBay. Over here some people have designed a PCB that goes into the original PSU and replaces the 5V rectifying part with modern and safer components, but it would require a serviceable power supply plus that it voids electrical safety if you do it yourself. The issue is that even if you measure the pins and find that it outputs 5V fine right now, you can't take for granted it will for foreseeable future. In principle I believe physical damage is what causes the internal voltage regulator in the PSU to come loose and stop working (sending the rectified 9VAC directly into the computer), but it might decay due to age as well. That is what is a bit scary, in particular if you're getting a bunch of computers without power supplies because you think you have spare ones that may work today but could fry the computers next month. Personally I've regularly used at least half a dozen of older PSUs without getting bitten yet, but I'm fully aware of the risks I'm taking. At the very least, I should get a saver device, which is a small piece of hardware that sits between the power supply and the computer, and immediately reacts if the 5V line suddenly spikes up to 9-12V. Unfortunately the built-in fuse in the computer is not enough because it reacts to the 9VAC line, not at all on the 5VDC line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidC Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 8 hours ago, kevates said: So where can I get a safe power supply that will work on both a breadbin C64 and a VIC? What’s the best option? I have one of these. Works on my 64 and my Vic 20. https://www.commodore4ever.net/power-supplies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 (edited) I personally would only go to Ray Carlsen for any power supply replacement. Not that other recommendations are bad mind you but I have had no experience with those. But, I have had years of experience with Ray helping me with repairs and providing excellent power supplies. He can make you one PSU that will handle a C64 and a Vic at the same time....and even powered at the same time if that is what you want. I can only recommend Ray as I know his quality and his excellent support of his products. If you do not want to buy a power supply at minimum you need to pick up cable savers for those bricks you have. You can find all of your options on his page here: https://www.carlsenelectronics.net/ And as others may have indicated, DO NOT use those old C64 bricks on their own. You have been warned! Edited November 26, 2020 by eightbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluejay Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 You can use a DC power supply with a 2 prong VIC-20. I use a 9VDC 2A power supply. It used to be my 5200 power supply but since I don't really use my 5200 and my VIC-20 one is dead so I use that instead. Since I don't want to cut the connector off since it's still my 5200 power supply so I stick the barrel connector into one of the pins and use a bent paper clip to short between the negative and the other pin of the VIC. I really need to come up with a better solution though. If I tap that paper clip slightly after typing in a moderately long BASIC program it's gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 1 hour ago, bluejay said: You can use a DC power supply with a 2 prong VIC-20. I use a 9VDC 2A power supply. It used to be my 5200 power supply but since I don't really use my 5200 and my VIC-20 one is dead so I use that instead. Since I don't want to cut the connector off since it's still my 5200 power supply so I stick the barrel connector into one of the pins and use a bent paper clip to short between the negative and the other pin of the VIC. I really need to come up with a better solution though. If I tap that paper clip slightly after typing in a moderately long BASIC program it's gone. That power rig job is just a bad bad idea. I would not recommend that at all. The two prong VIC-20 power supply is not really rare: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-AC-POWER-SUPPLY-COMMODORE-VIC-20-COMPUTER-TESTED-WORKING-TWO-PRONG/133561654539?hash=item1f18e51d0b:g:NK0AAOSw~hNfnGZZ https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Original-AC-POWER-SUPPLY-for-the-Commodore-VIC-20-Computer-WORKS/293858304660?epid=1400366122&hash=item446b51e294:g:t0UAAOSw-ktfwAh~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluejay Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 10 minutes ago, eightbit said: That power rig job is just a bad bad idea. I would not recommend that at all. The two prong VIC-20 power supply is not really rare: Works well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) I’ve gotten a lot of power supply advice... this is what I’m looking for - can anyone help me out? Vic-20 - Looking for working bare console that works with a C64 power supply (round power supply connector) for a reasonable price. C64 - looking for a working bare console - original breadbin model for a reasonable price. Edited December 30, 2020 by kevates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 bump... still looking... Vic-20 - Looking for working bare console that works with a C64 power supply (round power supply connector) for a reasonable price. (can be cosmetically ugly as long as all the keys are there and working) C64 - looking for a working bare console - original breadbin model for a reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameGeezer Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 I am skipping the BS. I should have both of these. Send a PM if you are still searching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 bump... still looking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameGeezer Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 12 hours ago, kevates said: bump... still looking... Again, send a PM to me if you want to buy anything. I have pretty much everything that you could want here, but I do not discuss transactions outside of PM or telephone conversations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevates Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 I’ve PM’s you a couple times. Will do it again now. 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.