Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!archimedes.math.uwm.edu!jgreco From: jgreco@archimedes.math.uwm.edu (Joe Greco) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: Battery Powered C64? Message-ID: <4829@uwm.edu> Date: 4 Jul 90 03:23:20 GMT References: <147144@felix.UUCP> Sender: news@uwm.edu Distribution: comp Organization: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee - Department of Mathematics Lines: 53 In comp.sys.cbm article <147144@felix.UUCP>, reynolds@felix.UUCP (David Lee Reynolds) wrote: :In article bianco@cs.odu.edu (David J. Bianco) writes: :>Does anybody know of a way (even if its only theoretical) :>to run a normal C64 (not the 64SX or whatever it was) on :>battery power? I was thinking maybe a car battery, but :>Ni-Cads would be OK if they would work. : : Yes, in theory there are 2 ways you can... : : 1). DC to AC converter will be the easiest, (and most expensive) way. : : 2). Theoretically, you could connect direct supplies, (+5 Vdc & 12 Vdc) : to the output of the regulators inside the 64. The only problem : with this option is you will not be able to use the CIA's internal : clock for timing, (it uses the 60 cycle from Edison to control the : timers), and the user port will also not get it's 12 Vac needed : for some interfaces. (IE Promburners, some C-64 modems etc)... : : For me, option #1 would be the only real easy, (and 100% compatable) : solution. : :>If you respond, Please :>use Email. If anyone wants to know, I can summarize to the net. : : I would have liked to, but I need a complete address to E-mail you. : (Like !dude!bummer!you). We don't support backbone addresses at this : site. |-( : :> David Bianco :> bianco@cs.odu.edu : : Good Luck, : : David Lee Reynolds : (zardoz,legs,spsd,oliveb)!felix!reynolds It's NOT hard to build a squarewave generator to generate a pseudo-AC signal to drive the CIA's and any user port devices. It just requires a little more creative design. This allows battery operation with a minimal amount of power waste and a maximized amount of compatibility. I believe one of the Commodore magazines even had plans for such a power supply once. ... Joe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Greco - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee - Department of Mathematics jgreco@archimedes.math.uwm.edu USnail: Joe Greco Voice: 414/321-6184 9905 W. Montana Ave. Data: 414/321-9287 (Happy Hacker's BBS) West Allis, WI 53227-3329 #include Disclaimer: I don't speak for the Math Department, the University, or myself.