#Power Supply Rating
12 messages in this thread
Hi,
Does anyone know if there is a way to find out how much output the Amiga
power supply can give? I have just bought a PAL Amiga and would like to check
its power limits. (Maybe opening the case and checking if something is written
on the power supply?)
P.S. How much power does a 3.5" drive need?
Khalid, all that information is listed in the HardWare Manual.
.
If you are still having problems finding out, call the tech's a at CBM TTO?
Bri
I don't have the hardware manual right now, but does it list the difference
between the PAL and NTSC models power supplies?
Khalid
No, not that I know of. Ask HAzy, 76703,2047 and he might be able to get hold
of them for you. The manuals were printed before the PAL system was developed.
Bri
Khalid,
I would presume that there is a difference simply because anywhere that
uses PAL also uses 220v 50Hz current, while NTSC is used in 110v 60Hz world and
there better be a difference in the power supplies between those 2.
Don
The power supply IS different. I just want to know how much more power the PAL
220v supply gives. Is that written on the power supply inside the Amiga, so if
I open the case I might find it written somewhere?
Khalid.
Khalid,
That I don't know, I've never seen one of the 220v power supplies. I've
seen the power supply in my machine..and it does not give a power rating (at
least on the top where the manufacturer's tag is). To be honest, I would
seriously doubt that there is much different between the 220v supplies and the
110v supplies other than the transformer and perhaps a few filter capacitors.
Once you get to the DC level, I think you'll probably find they are both the
same. I know one of your messages has been directed to CBM so hopefully
they'll provide a definative answer.
Now, back to your original reason for the question….if you aren't
hanging anything else on the Amiga except the 2 external drives, I think you'll
find you have no problems at all….lots of folks have done it with no
problems. If you start to hang on all sorts of things that use the Amiga's
power then you might have a problem, but I think you'd really have to push it
with something like a couple of Meg or RAM, some Amiga powered interfaces and
your 2 external drives before you notice any problems.
Don
I just might be pushing it too much. I have two megs of RAM, the A-Time clock,
and two external drives. I have used this configuration for two weeks now, and
I haven't had any problems. What signs should I look for that tell me that I am
taxing the power supply too much?
Khalid.
Khalid,
The first signs of power supply problems due to overloading usually come in
one of two ways, depending upon the supply.
1. Complete shutdown of the supply, sometimes requiring you to switch off/on,
sometimes resetting itself.
2. Erratic errors.
In the first case, the supply detects an overcurrent condition and "crowbars"
itself off, while in the second case the supply is not so well protected, and
as the current goes up, so does the amount of ripple. Also, as the current goes
up, the regulator may not be able to maintain the voltage.
If you have bene running for two weeks with the configuration you mentioned,
I wouldn't worry about it.
The Amiga's power supply is quite robust. A friend of mine, who is building
an add on peripheral was making mods to his design, and made a wiring error
that shorted +5 to ground. When he turned on the Amiga, it literally shrieked!
(I know, because I was talking to him on the phone at the time). It took him a
few seconds to realize that he should hit the power off, and when he found out
what happened, he corrected it, crossed his fingers, and powered up. No damage
was done. Obviously a well designed supply.
Regards, Larry.
shrieking or squawking noises are a good sign that the supply is not amused.
the noise is due to the poor supply switching very slowly to keep maximum
voltage, so slowly that the switching frequency drops into the audio range. if
you hear your supply making a high pitched whine or other strange noise, shut
down and remove the thingy you've plugged into the poor beast.
–Scotty
Hi, What is a 'PAL' ??? tks
The PAL Amiga is the Amiga that Commodore sells in Europe. It has a higher
resolution (640×500 in interlace and 320×250 in lo-res) Its scan rate is
slower, 25 scans per second versus the 30 for the NTSC (American version). It
is compatible with the television standard called PAL. Does that answer your
question?
Khalid.