68kMLA Classic Interface
This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.
| Click here to select a new forum. | |
| 512k Mac Power Cable? | |
| Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-16 08:57:23 Recently I bought a 512k Mac off ebay. Apparently it is in working order and the images showed it working but it will not have a power cable. What power cable would it use? I am British but it is an American Mac. | |
| Posted by: BadGoldEagle on 2016-04-16 09:56:32 Ok since this is an american Mac you will need an American power cable (easily found on amazon, they're standard). One of these will do nicely I think. Next you need a transformer/adapter for UK plugs. I don't know if a simple converter (travel type) will do the job right otherwise you will need a step-down transformer (quite heavy but will work perfectly) | |
| Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-04-16 10:02:24 You need to step down the voltage to 110v, otherwise bad things will happen. Alternatively, if you can find a 220v analog board & power supply, they're relatively easy to swap. Six to seven screws and 4 cables. | |
| Posted by: BadGoldEagle on 2016-04-16 10:38:01 Yeah that's probably a better and more permanent fix. I think it will also be cheaper! A good step-down transformer is at least £100. I think you can find a 220V AB for less. BUT you will have to discharge the CRT, and then do adjustments to the new analog board. If you know your way round and if you know how to discharge a CRT, it's relatively easy. If you don't then you can ask your local hardware repair store to do the discharge for you (that's what I did with my SE/30 when I started collecting Macs a few years ago). May I ask if your 512k came with some third party upgrades? Hyperdrive? SCSI? Because some upgrades needed a higher voltage. They achieved this by rotating a knob on the Analog Board but it's very delicate and very hard to adjust properly! And I know Hyperdrive actually soldered stuff to the AB, so it needs desoldering to take it off on Hyperdrive equipped 512ks. It's a shame Apple didn't design their Analog boards with 100v/220v conversion in mind. IIRC a 220V one can be converted to 110V but you can't do 110V to 220v. DO NOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLUG THAT MAC TO YOUR 220V MAINS! however tempting it is! | |
| Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-04-16 11:29:50 Discharge the CRT, or, just leave it unplugged for a few days. Should be fine. I've been shocked once and my arm hurt for about 3 days. I wouldn't recommend it. 😛 | |
Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-16 11:42:56May I ask if your 512k came with some third party upgrades? Hyperdrive? SCSI? Because some upgrades needed a higher voltage. They achieved this by rotating a knob on the Analog Board but it's very delicate and very hard to adjust properly!Sadly no upgrades :C It is pretty much the computer on its own as for some reason one with a keyboard & mouse seemed to cost upwards of £90! I am planning on eventually buying a HD 20 or external floppy drive if I can find one. Ok since this is an american Mac you will need an American power cable (easily found on amazon, they're standard). One of these will do nicely I think.Some on ebay are apparently "step-down" converters so that might work. But good to know that is a normal cable not some strange proprietary one (the Spectrum +2's strange connection comes to mind), thanks! | |
| Posted by: apm on 2016-04-16 16:02:38 I've used this with a 110V Plus with fine results: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/240v-to-110v-300w-voltage-converter-vr05f | |
| Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-18 12:18:59 By the way, what keyboards are compatible with the system? Is it only certain Apple keyboards or...? | |
| Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-04-18 12:33:09 128k/512k keyboard or Plus keyboard. Do not use a normal phone cable. | |
| Posted by: BadGoldEagle on 2016-04-18 12:34:10 A very small portion of keyboards work with the 512k and Plus and they're quite rare. But you can use a Plus keyboard with your 512k. Don't know if it will work well with really early systems but it will work fine 3.2 and up. The 128k/512k "short" keyboards are sometimes expensive and can be found. They're the best ones if you want everything to be original. | |
| Posted by: uniserver on 2016-04-18 12:46:59 or you could purchase the Universal 120/230 analog board from somewhere... but 230 ---> 120 step down converters can be had for cheap. | |
| Posted by: rsolberg on 2016-04-18 15:37:15 That converter APM posted looks like a solid unit for the job. | |
| Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-18 17:03:07 Well, due to costs I had to settle for: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000L99ZJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hopefully it'll work. On the bright side the Mac has apparently been loaded on a plane so it should be here relatively soon. | |
| Posted by: rsolberg on 2016-04-18 17:17:54 Do note the unit you linked is not intended for continuous use- it's suggested that it be used for a maximum of one hour at a time. | |
Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-19 19:29:47Do note the unit you linked is not intended for continuous use- it's suggested that it be used for a maximum of one hour at a time.I think that that largely applies to 100w appliances so it may be fine. Either way worst comes to worse I'll have to tour it off for half an hour. | |
| Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-22 11:00:06 Hmm it does not seem to want to turn on. Am I missing something? | |
| Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-04-22 12:10:03 Did you flip the light switch? 😀 I'd check to make sure you're getting power out of the converter thingy. | |
Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-22 12:19:39Did you flip the light switch? 😀Light switch? Anyhow, I think it might be the adapted not working. Amazon seems to have sold me a broken one. | |
| Posted by: vickersvimy on 2016-04-22 14:22:36 Still not working after changing the fuse on the converter. Photos on eBay showed the Mac working, though it is missing a battery.  | |
| 1 > |