Just to be sure before buying Falcon PSU

[Sinis]

Hello all,

It looks like I need to change the PSU (instead of recap it) for the Falcon 030 I just bought (I'm in France with 220v).

To avoid any mistake or misunderstanding (as for the floppy drive I had to configure, that I didn't see before) which can be very dangerous for the motherboard, please let me check I understood correctly:
- I have to buy this PSU here https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0030. In fact, I'll receive this one https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 245#p72201. Correct ?
- Since this connector (https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0095) is out of stock, I'll have to use the one currently installed. Correct ? Or can I buy another one from somewhere else ?
- If I can't buy a new connector somewhere, I have to unsolder the one from the original PSU and solder it on the Exxos one (hope it will be long enough ?), following those indications https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 245#p24083. Correct ?
- I need to connect this PSU v3.20 to the switch using those instructions : https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... f=9&t=1510. The actual power switch is a black one but with 4 connectors, as the one you described. Correct ?
- Do I need to follow those instructions : https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/ ... htm#PSUFIT ? I have to admit that I'm not sure I understand what this is about : Falcon, non-Falcon, all Atari computers, old versions of Exxos PSUs or new ones... I'm sorry for that, I just want to be sure

Thank you very much.

[Steve]

- I have to buy this PSU here https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0030. In fact, I'll receive this one viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1245#p72201. Correct ?

Correct

- Since this connector (https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0095) is out of stock, I'll have to use the one currently installed. Correct ? Or can I buy another one from somewhere else ?

Correct - nobody sells fully built falcon connectors as far as I know

- If I can't buy a new connector somewhere, I have to unsolder the one from the original PSU and solder it on the Exxos one (hope it will be long enough ?), following those indications viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1245#p24083. Correct ?

Correct - It is *just* about long enough, I've done it, just be careful don't cut any of it shorter.

- I need to connect this PSU v3.20 to the switch using those instructions : viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1510. The actual power switch is a black one but with 4 connectors, as the one you described. Correct ?

Correct - the colour is not important, the amount of connectors is, if yours has 4 connectors follow the guide for 4 connectors

- Do I need to follow those instructions : https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/ ... htm#PSUFIT ?

No - these are old instructions for the first revisions

Hope this helps

[exxos]

The connectors and crimps are standard (I could list them in my store ) , but without a proper crimping tool they are not simple (unless you use pliers and solder them) but then you also need cable (which I do have ) but its the time taken overall which is why I don't make them. I did 5 once then basically gave up as wasn't happy with the result. So I got 100 made with a UK company. Though they seriously ramped the price of them to the point its just not worth selling the complete cables anymore. China can make them, but I would need to buy 1,000.. They will never all sell...

So probably the solution is just to re-use the old connector, extend the wires if needs be.

[Sinis]

Thank you for all your replies !

Especially @Steve who answered my questions point by point

PSU ordered.

[Sinis]

Well…

PSU received, motherboard cleaned, and now… Falcon doesn’t start anymore

I checked everything (cable color…) but no boot sequence. No Atari logo. Only this screen :

9F64F42D-597A-4791-80C6-4AB62BF6FC69.jpeg (642.29 KiB) Viewed 3174 times

Keyboard light is on. No bip. No floppy sequence.

If you have any idea it would be great…

Thank you.

[exxos]

Does it come to life if you press the reset button?

[Sinis]

it does the same thing after a reset. No Atari logo. Same screen.

do you think I made something wrong ?

Thank you for your help.

[exxos]

Assuming you have not wired the 5V and 12V backwards ? then you should be really up and running but some machines are just so fickle it's unbelievable. The reset circuit Generally to Blame When Fitting the New Power supply Does Not Work. But pressing the reset switch should confirm this problem assuming it is not faulty.

There is a preset trimmer on the power supply, measure the 5 V rail and very gently and slowly turn the pot (left I think) and lower the voltage to something like 4.8V and see if it helps. If the voltage starts increasing then turn the pot the opposite way.

If this does not solve the problem then it could be rather problematic to diagnose. It could be something like the clock buffer patch is not adequate in your machine but it could literally be anything.

[Steve]

Might sound like a strange question, but just for some background information, your first post:

It looks like I need to change the PSU (instead of recap it) for the Falcon 030 I just bought (I'm in France with 220v).

I am wondering 1. why did it 'look like you needed to replace' was it not working at all? and 2. Have you ever seen the Falcon work in that case? If you have just bought it...?

[Sinis]

Might sound like a strange question, but just for some background information, your first post:

It looks like I need to change the PSU (instead of recap it) for the Falcon 030 I just bought (I'm in France with 220v).

I am wondering 1. why did it 'look like you needed to replace' was it not working at all? and 2. Have you ever seen the Falcon work in that case? If you have just bought it...?

Yes, it was because I had some floppies problems (https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 653#p74653). The falcon was "normal", except the floppy drive which was "not very good", even with a new one, because lot of floppies were unable to be formatted. People said it was probably due to PSU I need to recap/change, as the power is perhaps not enough to make the floppy drive run "correctly".

I also changed the NVRAM and it was ok (keyboard, language), except time I was never able to st up correctly (even with a NVRAM reset).

So yes, the Falcon was ok before I changed the PSU.

Thank you.