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View Full Version : Mine is coming along -- new parts


tonyv
12-10-2007, 03:55 PM
My Kenbak is coming along. I spent almost the entire weekend making some parts on my (Sherline) mini-mill.

I had two very nice small fans that I'd pulled from surplus equipment, and some 1/8" x 3" wide aluminum plate stock, so I cobbled together adapter plates to mount in in the Kenbak. The fan near the memory blows in, and the other blows out.

I also made a u-channel bar to hold all the buttons. I tried attaching it with velcro, but that was too thick, so I settled for some vinyl super-strength double-sided tape.

I powered up the unit without chips, and nothing blew up. So far so good!

I'm including pictures. One shows an alternative 60 Watt power supply I have that I might switch to eventually. It will leave the motherboard completely visible.

Astute observers will note that I've reversed my back panel. It is a long, rather embarrassing saga, but all turned out well -- I bet I have the only Kenbak clone signed signed TWICE by John Blakenbaker. (Thanks John!)

I'm having a great time, obviously. Thanks, Grant!

tonyv

tonyv
12-10-2007, 03:56 PM
More...

tonyv
12-10-2007, 03:59 PM
more...

tonyv
12-10-2007, 04:04 PM
I had this in my (rather large) supply of surplus robot parts.
It says "EOS VLT60-3000"

Ooops. No -5 volts. Just +5, +12, and -12 (just what we need).
Unfortunately, it looks like this one is no longer made.

Grant Stockly
12-10-2007, 06:12 PM
I'm including pictures. One shows an alternative 60 Watt power supply I have that I might switch to eventually. It will leave the motherboard completely visible.


That looks like a good one. Who made it?

Astute observers will note that I've reversed my back panel. It is a long, rather embarrassing saga, but all turned out well -- I bet I have the only Kenbak clone signed signed TWICE by John Blakenbaker. (Thanks John!) [/quote]

Now you'll have to explain it. :)

tonyv
12-10-2007, 06:44 PM
Well, supposedly
http://www.eoscorp.com
but that doesn't seem to work anymore.

Ah HA! They were purchased in 2001 by Celetron:
http://www.celetron.com
Oops! that doesn't work either....

Another pdf:
www.lens.unifi.it/ew/dwl.php?dwl=y8brjN7N3pDn56GuvbqSzXe/m6mKxtnk0tPaxMea4srrirS3tqzJmJnUWdvJ3w==&mtyp=application/pdf

Source?
http://store.raqware.com/product_info.php?products_id=63
still says they sell them for ~$100, qty 1. (ouch!).

tonyv

Cappellanus
12-10-2007, 10:43 PM
Great work!

I like that little power supply. A similar part number (Red Rocket Power supply bought out the company) is available from Arrow at www.arrownac.com. The part number is VLT60-3000S55LF and the price is $61.57. That 2 x 4 x 1 inch profile is great. The correct new address for Red Rocket is... http://redrocketp07.s3.nextex-media.de/

I have some similar supplies that are a bit bigger 3 x 5 x 1 inch, that are a fraction of that price here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200109647904

That's right, for about the same price, you can get 10 (ten) of these little power supplies. I know (from experience) that this fellow will sell you 1, 2, 5, or however many you want, just ask him. He has about 20 available, and even with shipping, you should be able to get one for under $20.00.

Great machining. I too, have a little sherline mill and lathe. I'm not sure you'll need the fans much, but they look "cool." I guess I'm the only person who's mounted the switches from the front.

Grant Stockly
12-10-2007, 10:51 PM
Great work!

I like that little power supply. A similar part number (Red Rocket Power supply bought out the company) is available from Arrow at www.arrownac.com (http://www.arrownac.com). The part number is VLT60-3000S55LF and the price is $61.57. That 2 x 4 x 1 inch profile is great. The correct new address for Red Rocket is... http://redrocketp07.s3.nextex-media.de/

I have some similar supplies that are a bit bigger 3 x 5 x 1 inch, that are a fraction of that price here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200109647904

That's right, for about the same price, you can get 10 (ten) of these little power supplies. I know (from experience) that this fellow will sell you 1, 2, 5, or however many you want, just ask him. He has about 20 available, and even with shipping, you should be able to get one for under $20.00.

Great machining. I too, have a little sherline mill and lathe. I'm not sure you'll need the fans much, but they look "cool." I guess I'm the only person who's mounted the switches from the front.

I use a small astrodyne power supply in the Altair 680. It looks almost identical to yours but is only $35 or so. I'm not sure if mine has the correct voltages though.

tonyv
12-10-2007, 11:32 PM
I like that little power supply. A similar part number (Red Rocket Power supply bought out the company) is available from Arrow at www.arrownac.com. The part number is VLT60-3000S55LF and the price is $61.57. That 2 x 4 x 1 inch profile is great. The correct new address for Red Rocket is... http://redrocketp07.s3.nextex-media.de/

Oooo! Good sleuthing! I tried for an hour or so to figure out who owned the EOS product line now, but didn't manage it. I'll have to see if Arrow sells the cover for the one I have -- I didn't really want to mount an open frame unit in my Kenbak, in case my kids want to poke around in it someday.

tonyv

Cappellanus
12-11-2007, 01:45 AM
Here's a picture of the eBay $9 power supply (plus around $7 for shipping) in the approximate place (above the original.)

It's bigger than yours, but smaller than the original version. I think I'll install it when I get a chance. Would need to cut and drill out a couple of 3 inch brackets. So many projects, so little time.

Don't be afraid of socketing all the chips and turning it on!!! I know it's a bit scarey to think it may not work. I think I hesitated for a couple days, double checking solder, placement, orientations, etc.

tonyv
12-13-2007, 03:50 AM
I finished wiring up the front panel and inserting all the chips last night about 2 AM. I fired it up, and lo and behold -- blink'n lights! After fixing a few minor bugs, (one reversed chip, reversed orange and red switch wires), I had it working. I just typed in the Cylon program this evening, and it worked great.

I'll attach some baby photos...

tonyv

tonyv
12-13-2007, 03:54 AM
I used some ribbon cable for a really neat look.

tonyv
12-13-2007, 04:37 AM
This is an intentionally blurred photo.
Check out the parabola made by the moving lights!

I'm really glad I went for the incandescent lights. The warm glow they make is just wonderful.

tonyv

tonyv
12-16-2007, 03:05 AM
I made an adapter plate and cover for the 1"x2"x4" power supply discussed earlier.

tonyv
12-16-2007, 03:08 AM
Done, for now...:)
Many thanks for a great kit, Grant!

tonyv