6502.org

10$ for the transformer and $120.00 for shipping, no thanks...
I can get a custom made here locally for ~40$ !

Yikes! Nothing like getting a 10 dollar part for 130 dollars. Surely there must be some other source.

The 9VAC is used to run the tape drive, time-of-day clocks, and to generate 12VDC to power the SID chip. None of these are actually essential to have the C64 running. The jiffy timer is based off of the CIA clock-based timers, not the TOD. If you have 5VDC and 12VDC, you can use the 12VDC to power up the SID and forget about the rest. You should be able to run just 5VDC with no audio as well.

The VIC-II does not need 12VDC, but the RF modulator might. Again, that's really not a loss at all if that's left dormant.

In breadbin (rounder) c64's 9vac is also used for a separate 5v supply to the video IC. In flat/c64c versions, it's not 100% necessary, but you'll get no audio.

Some hardware extensions, like eprom burners do need the 9V~ at the userport.
In essence you’re right. But is it that trivial?

Keep in mind that the HMOS SID 8580 needs 9V instead of 12V. However, I suppose you’d disconnect the two voltage regulators and feed the 5V and 12V at those points? Also the normal 5V, which comes from the regular power supply has to be connected with the same 5V?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to determine which C64 version you have Dajgoro. A picture of the main board would suffice.

In systems with the HMOS SID, there's a zener diode that limits the voltage to the sound chip. 12v would be safe to inject before the regulator circuit built into the system.

Hey jbevren, LTNS.

There are a few projects out there within easy google reach for converting C64s to use PC power supplies, with various hardware revisions & goals. I agree that there might be some revisions which have more issues than others, so it might not be a one size fits all. But there is a reasonable chance that it will be a simple as adding a 5VDC and optionally 12VDC lead into your motherboard.

I heard about a replacement power supply:

http://c128.com/ray-carlsens-new-c64128 ... pplies#new

I don't know if anyone else has posted this yet, but there are at least a half dozen C64/C128 power supplies on eBay right now. Cheapest I saw was around $16 + shipping.

C64/C128 is a great machine although if you any extensive disk work you'll find those serial drives very slow.

I have a whole box of 9VAC wall warts. Surely I'm not the only one.