Tony Duell wrote: > > Hans Franke just gave me a Commodore 128 D, the 220 volt version. > > Could someone please tell me a) how to convert the PSU (no switch) > By far the easiest and safest way is to use a step-up transformer. It > doesn't need to be an isolating transformer - an autotransformer is fine. > You feed 110V in and get 220V out. Since 240V -> 110V transformers are > fairly common in the UK, I would guess you can get the reverse in the States. Before I left for Europe, I checked out voltage converters here in the US. For about $25 or so, a 100 watt transformer can be purchased that can be used as either a step-up or step-down transformer. I suspect 100 watts is the maximum short term draw, and continuous is most likely about 60 watts or so.

Tony Duell wrote: I know, and that is why I bought the 50W unit. After a while, it got rather warm and when I checked the ratings, it said it was good for 30W continuous. Oh well, the breaker on it went on and off for a while before it fused closed. After that it *was* good for 50W continuous :). Of course, I kept a careful eye on how warm it was getting after that!

One of these day's I _REALLY_ want to find time to build a "Universal" powersupply, that will feed a basically any piece of microcomputer hardware given the correct cabling. Powersupplies are the first thing that disappears after the documentation and software. My PowerMac 8500 has a AV card in it which allows it to function as a colour NTSC and PAL TV. I've used it as an Amiga 2000 monitor before. I like an old laptop for this, I've got an old 386sx/16 that I paid $2600.00 for, so I like to still get a little use out of it :^) (Yes, I bought it new) Not only a varied assortment of cables, but also the materials to make your own, and gender changers for DB9 and DB25 (I never have the right gender cable). Basically I make it a habit to collect all cables, documentation, and powersupplies that I can, it doens't matter if I don't have a computer to go with them. Of course the #1 useful item is a large amount of storage space. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |

"Zane H. Healy" <healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com> wrote: I bought one last year. An HP E3631A. Quite nice, but a bit pricey (around $1000). IMHO, having a power supply with adjustable current limiting is absolutely essential to bringing up old DC-powered equipment in unknown condition. For similar reasons, a variac and an isolation transformer are desirable for working on AC-powered equipment.

ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote: I'm just guessing, but maybe the reason it's against code is that they assume that European 220V equipment will be wired for one side of the line being neutral, whereas a 220V outlet here in the US has both sides hot. If it's properly grounded equipment, this shouldn't matter. But if it's ungrounded equipment, it could be a safety hazard.

On Thu, 17 Sep 1998, Tony Duell wrote: Probably because you have about one tenth the percentage of lawyers that we have over here! You are indeed fortunate. - don