Ray Carlsen's new C64/128/VIC-20CR/Plus4 power supplies...

[RobertB]

Ray Carlsen, Commodore repair technician, is building a small number of universal C64/128/VIC-20CR/Plus4 power supplies.  Here are the details for the RC p.s.:

*Input – 120V, 60Hz (or alternate version 220V, 50 Hz for Europe/Australia)
*Output – 5VDC @ 5A, 9VAC @ 1A
*Fuse-protected, current-limited 5 volt supply
*built-in surge suppressor (Computer Saver)
*metal case, vented
*PS cable has C64 DIN connector for the C64 and VIC-20CR. C128 adapter to C64 DIN available for those who buy the RC p.s. and at extra cost. (For the Plus/4, the user is to send in the DC full-length cable of the original CBM power supply for attaching to the new RC p.s..)
*One-year warranty – If this RC power supply is not acceptable or fails in any way, send it back for repair, replacement, or refund.
*RC power supply price - $100 US (not including shipping)
*C128 adapter to C64 DIN - $15 US (not including shipping)

For more details and photos, go to
http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/universal%20ps/

Check/money order preferred in USA. Paypal accepted for overseas orders.
Contact Ray at rcarlsen(at)tds.net

------

Mini-review of prototype #2

Quality.  Durability.  Ruggedness.  Craftsmanship.  These words all describe the Ray Carlsen universal power supply for the C64/128/VIC-20CR/Plus4.  Though I've been testing prototype #2 for a few months, it has never let me down.

When I received it in the mail a few months ago, I was immediately impressed by its construction.  It had a metal, vented case with striking black and white paint.  It used thick insulation over its heavy gauge output cable.  It sat on 4 sturdy rubber feet.  Inside, there was plenty of air space for the components - a new, modern 5VDC unit putting out 5 amps, a new, modern 9VAC unit putting out 1 amp, and the Ray Carlsen Computer Saver which cuts out the 5V line should it go over 5.40 volts. Everything was neatly, firmly screwed down to the metal case.  There was no messy mass of wires, just an orderly placement of the wires.  On the outside of the case was one LED which showed the power supply had power.

The power supply had the looks, but did it deliver the goods?  A big YES!  I've had it running for hours, and it barely emitted any heat through the vents on the case.  In fact, the Commodore computer to which it was attached felt much warmer.  Whether on a VIC-20CR or a C64 or a flat C128, it never failed.  It endured the SuperCPU, a notoriously power-hungry
device.  Thus, it should easily cope with the 1541 Ultimate cartridge and even good, old Super Snapshot - both which need a little more oomph in the power department.  Screen interference on the CRT monitor?  None!

Ray hand-built it, testing and tweaking it until it met his critical standards.  He showed me some oscilloscope screenshots of the 5V it outputs -- just clean power.  He also showed me the oscilloscope screenshots of a new power supply from a different company -- spikes all over the place... no clean power at all.  In fact, that company's p.s. had such bad regulation that it varied from 4.9V to 5.3V.

Now the production model of the Ray Carlsen power supply has been released.  Each power supply is hand-built and tested by him.  The production model uses a slightly bigger, metal, vented case than the prototype, because his supplier had the other one on back order.  The production model has an improved, internal Computer Saver.

Reluctantly, I will return prototype #2 to Ray when I see him in the summer.  However, I will then get the production model!  I'm thinking about getting one for the C64/VIC-20CR and one for the flat C128.  Then I'll be set for life. 

[RobertB]

     Ray has nearly sold out on his first production run of power supplies and has ordered parts for a second run.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     For those who cannot send in that full-length Plus/4 cable, Ray now offers a Plus/4 adapter for his new power supply. See

http://blog.retro-link.com/2014/08/plus4-adapters-for-ray-carlsen-power.html


     Also, Ray now offers a 1581/1541-II power supply for $35 and a "dual" power supply for the C64-C128 with 1581/1541-II cables for $135.  (That dual power supply is an interesting design!) See

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/universal_ps/

and click on the appropriate links.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[RobertB]

     In addition to his power supplies for C64s, C128s, Plus/4s, and VIC-20CRs, Ray Carlsen is now producing power supplies for the Amiga 500, Amiga 600, and Amiga 1200 (and will power the CMD hard drive for the above-named Commodores, too).  His basic model is $80, not including shipping.  See

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/universal_ps/Amiga%20PS.jpg

He has even built a p.s. that will power an Amiga and a sidecar addition, like an A590 hard drive.  See

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/universal_ps/AMIGA%20CUSTOM%20PS.jpg

Since these p.s.'s are made one at a time, ask Ray for at rcarlsen(at)tds.net for their availability.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[RobertB]

     All of Ray's various Commodore and Amiga power supplies are now on one page at

          http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/custom%20ps.html

               FCUG celebrating 34 years this month,
               Robert Bernardo
               Fresno Commodore User Group
               http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm