TT030 Safe First Power-Up After Long-Term Storage

[MEX68KECB]

Hi all,

I have a boxed Atari TT030 that has been stored for a while, and I’d like to do a careful first inspection and brief power-up test.

I’m not looking to recap, modify, restore, or run it for hours right now. I just want to avoid doing anything stupid before applying power.

For a TT030 specifically, what would you check first?

My current list is:

- Inspect for battery/capacitor leakage
- Visual check of PSU and motherboard
- Check video output using a TenoxVGA ECL-to-VGA adapter
- Brief boot test
- Keyboard/mouse test
- Floppy test with a known-good disk
- If this unit has an internal hard drive, is there any TT-specific advice on first power-up? Better to leave it connected for the initial test, or disconnect it only if inspection suggests a problem?

Are there any TT-specific "do not power it until you check X" items I should know about?

Thanks,

Patrick

[Steve]

If you're worried about it, the thing to do would be testing the PSU outside of the machine, connected to a load. Let it run for a bit and test it's output voltages with a multimeter. The PSU is the only thing that could potentially do harm after long term storage. (Besides battery leakage) Then you can go on to do secondary functionality tests as you outlined.

[MEX68KECB]

Thanks, Steve. That makes sense.

The wrinkle is that this is an unusually clean, boxed TT030 with the serial number matching the box. I bought it from a former Atari dealer in Alaska in 2023, but I have no idea how long it may have been sitting in storage before that, and I have kept it stored since receiving it.

I am not sure that I will keep it, so I would like to document its condition responsibly without turning it into a restoration project or taking unnecessary risks with a casual power-up. I am also not trying to turn this into a “what is it worth?” discussion.

If removing the PSU and testing it under load is the sensible prerequisite, I can do that. I have an electronic load, DMMs and scopes available. I had simply hoped there might be a less invasive first step for a machine in this condition.

Would you consider an out-of-machine PSU load test essential before applying power to a TT that may have been stored for many years?

Thanks,

Patrick

[stephen_usher]

From experience those power supplies don't go over current on failure. However, if you really want to be sure then powering the PSU up with it disconnected from the motherboard with a load attached is wise. There's no need to remove it from the machine, merely take the upper case of the TT off, unplug the power supply cable and plug in your load.

You may get best results from briefly (as in a quick on/off of the power switch) powering the power supply and leaving for a short while, to start reforming the capacitors, before powering up for an extended period. There is a small risk that the initial current inrush from the caps may blow the fuse.

[Steve]

Yes as Mr Usher points out, you can simply unplug the PSU connector from the motherboard. Though I an suspecting that your idea of 'invasive' is opening the machine at all... is that due to the warranty sticker?

But yes I would say it is a very reasonable precaution due to the value of a TT. Especially since the level of effort required is minimal just to do this load testing. If you watch Adrians Digital Basement on youtube, first thing he ever does is test the PSU under load before moving to the machine.

In terms of how much load you should apply (and possibly start low and go up for capacitor reforming) I am not sure, I would defer to either @stephen_usher or @exxos for this.

[stephen_usher]

Often sticking a big, old hard disk on the Molex power connection is enough, though you may want to wire up a car tail lamp bulb onto the 5V as well.

P.S. Just checked my archive. A big old hard drive is good enough for the TT PSU.

IMG_4175.jpeg (334.81 KiB) Viewed 271 times

[MEX68KECB]

Yes as Mr Usher points out, you can simply unplug the PSU connector from the motherboard. Though I an suspecting that your idea of 'invasive' is opening the machine at all... is that due to the warranty sticker?

Ding ding ding! You are correct sir. But I decided I am probably being ridiculous...just because I overpaid for it.

I think it's reasonable to put the electronic or a resistive load on it. I'll look up the video, and I'm looking at the service manual. Looks like the TT power supply is more AT-ish with Molex connectors? I didn't realize that. Would I need to load up all the rails or just the +5 or +12? I realize if I had an old hard drive it would use those voltages but I'm actually going to use the tools I have, (that's the rule this year see below.)

This is the kind of thing I should record and post here while it's on the bench. I'm going through the GAS or "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" cycle where I'm at the "I have too damn many Atari's and too little time" phase. This full-time job is really hampering my retro computing problem, hobby.

This is where the HP/Agilent/Keysight GAS actually comes in handy...