Hi,
I’m in need of a little help with connecting the power supply from my c64 to my MIDIbox. Would someone be able to give me a bit of a step-by-step guide?
Also, does the CORE module need power before the MIDI can be tested?
Thank you
Chris
I can’t give specific advice about powering the SID module, but search this area of the forum, and check the wiki. I know using the c64’s PSU has been discussed before.
Also, does the CORE module need power before the MIDI can be tested?
Yes, you need to provide power to the core for it to turn on. 
http://ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_4xsid_c64_psu_optimized.pdf
is what you should be going by. I tested the simple PSU board and it was pretty noisy so this is the way to go
With the optimized psu, you will have +5VDC and +14VDC outputs. The core module needs to have the regulator removed (you can take the rectifier off too) and its input wired to the output, the power will then be supplied to the core via J2.
The +5/GND to the SID will be connected via J2 VCC and VSS pins. The +14VDC is connected to the SID module via J1. The 14V can be a single wire since GND is connected via J2. You should also add a big cap (2200 uF/16V) at the end of the +5 and GND power lines to filter digital noise
I second Altitude, it’s definitely the way to go. I’ve not seen a board layout for the optimised PSU, but it’s simple enough to make it on protoboard, even if you’ve no circuit design experience. This is in fact what I’ve been doing for the past week or so (Yes, I know I’m slow, I don’t have much free time hehe).
Please excuse my stupidity.
I have seen this but i’m a bit rubbish and i don’t really know what to do still. I am fine when i can see a picture of the circuit board and can copy it (like i did for the CORE and SID) but i’m not sure what to do with something like this.
Do i have to take apart the power supply and solder the certain bit’s to the right places? Or is it meant to be kept as a whole?
Thank you
Chris
Do i have to take apart the power supply and solder the certain bit’s to the right places? Or is it meant to be kept as a whole?
no. Just buy a din 7 connector (same as the c64 psu) and make the circuit on protoboard
Just buy a din 7 connector (same as the c64 psu) and make the circuit on protoboard
If you have a C64 case, you may as well do what I did and re-use the power socket and switch from the C64 as well. You’ll have to bend a few pins on the switch to get them to the spacing on a piece of veroboard, but it’s no big deal. You could even use the 2 controller sockets for banksticks, which is what I plan to do.
The pins from the switch work as follows:
Switch 'down' (switch rocked down towards pins):
x x
| | <--connected
x x
x x
Switch 'up' (labeled 'on' on c64 metal plate)
x x
x x
| |
x x
I’ll probably post some photos of my finished one in a few days once it’s done, if you can wait that long.
I’ll probably post some photos of my finished one in a few days once it’s done, if you can wait that long.
That would be a great help if you could.
Thank’s
Right, I’ve got it finished and I’m just about to upload some photos to my site so everyone can laugh at my dodgy soldering “skills”, but first I have a question: When I turn my power switch to the “off” position, the voltage drops a little, (around 1-1.5V) then slowly goes down. I assume this is the capacitors discharging, but I find it rather odd. Is this normal?
if that’s with nothing connected, yes that’s normal. connect a few things, and they’ll use up the power quick enough.
Ah, cool, cheers for the quick reply. In that case I’ll get on with posting some photos 
Photos are uploaded. Not sure what you’re after exactly, so www.danielprice.org.uk/synth-diy/sid_2.htm to go see.
Nice Site! Thats what i was looking for all the time! Thanks!! ;D
Nice Site! Thats what i was looking for all the time! Thanks!! ;D
Thanks to you too - I thought the best way to learn what I’m doing would be to document it. It also means I can help out other forum members. Glad to know I can help!
Photos are uploaded. Not sure what you’re after exactly, so www.danielprice.org.uk/synth-diy/sid_2.htm to go see.
Hi there,
that page looks very useful. I’m about to start getting together the parts for my own optimised C64/MIDIBox Sid PSU, and to be honest, I had no idea where to start before I saw your page.
I’m just wondering where you sourced your components from though. I’m guessing from your domain name that you’re UK-based. I can’t find the the B40C800 rectifier from any of the usual UK suppliers I’ve used in the past. I’m also having problems tracking down the 100nF and 330nF and 2200uF/25V caps, and have no idea which of the multitude of available types to go for. Any advice for a struggling newbie?
Cheers
Alex
rswww.com are ok too. bit expensive, but fast delivery (like order something online at 20.30 one evening, and recieve it at 14.00 the next day!)
Hi guys,
thanks for the advice. I’ve tried RS, but couldn’t find the all the capacitors, or the rectifier. I may be looking in the wrong place though.
Any advice on what type of caps to go for?
Alex
This is a great help Therezin but, will it be possible to post a list of the components that i need to buy for this?
Thank you
Chris