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Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.

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Poll runs till Wed Dec 02, 2026 12:19 am

PCB only using menswells power modules
0
No votes
Meanwell modules fitted
1
13%
Meanwell front end and exxos backend
5
63%
Any combination
2
25%
 
Total votes: 8

GoldenGraham
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2026 9:53 pm

Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by GoldenGraham »

Yes you should definitely produce a new PSU for CT60e/CT63. In a nutshell the main requirements for me would be...

- No external power brick, like we had with the PicoPSU.
- Stock Atari appearance from the outside
- external switch to toggle between 030 and 060 modes, does not need to be integrated into the power switch itself.
- Room to connect storage module to Falcon's IDE header.
- Falcon's reset switch should still work (ideally in both 030 and 060 modes).
- Falcon's green power light operates as normal.
- The fan on the heatsink for the 060 chip should ideally only spin if Falcon is booted in 060 mode. This fan is just un-necessary noise when Falcon is booted in 030 mode. Not sure if you can control this via a PSU?
- Crucially the PSU must not explode when user switches it on, wiping out ££££ worth of sacred retro electronics :(

My only other thought would be to have some kind of visual indicator as to which mode (030/060) is currently in use. Possibly change the colour of the power light, or perhaps users could just manually check the position of the 030/060 toggle switch on the back.

One or two of the above requirements are 'nice to haves' rather than essential... but worth mentioning.

Good progress so far Exxos. I'm more than happy to user test one of your prototypes :) keep up the fab work 👍
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exxos
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

GoldenGraham wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 10:56 pm - The fan on the heatsink for the 060 chip should ideally only spin if Falcon is booted in 060 mode. This fan is just un-necessary noise when Falcon is booted in 030 mode. Not sure if you can control this via a PSU?
I will have a think about that one.. should be possible..

Though the 060 would still get power.. Has any tested if the 060 still gets warm when 030 mode is selected ?

Wasn't there a thermal sensor to control the fan speed ? Not sure it ever worked properly ?
- Crucially the PSU must not explode when user switches it on, wiping out ££££ worth of sacred retro electronics :(
Yeah, I try not to do that :)
My only other thought would be to have some kind of visual indicator as to which mode (030/060) is currently in use. Possibly change the colour of the power light, or perhaps users could just manually check the position of the 030/060 toggle switch on the back.
TRUDIE has a widget to do exactly that on the floppy LED.. Problem is, its one of those projects I just never really have time to finish off..
Good progress so far Exxos. I'm more than happy to user test one of your prototypes :) keep up the fab work 👍

:thanksyellow:
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exxos
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

Tried setting fire to the thing, wasn't able to do much past melting the thing.

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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

Right , think I am finally done screwing around with this rear bracket..

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The support posts needs to be made out of metal. Cost about £5 each from China.

I need to work on the PSU PCB mount next..

:dizzy:
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

First bracket test now printing.. :ball:

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Amazing I found my original Falcon drive and bracket !

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exxos
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad I guesss ! :lol: :roll:

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The big fat cap could be a problem. Plus I need to make sure my big fat cap replacement kit fits as well...
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by exxos »

Bracket and PCB layout tweaked to make a bit more compact. I'm a bit stuck until the IDE adapter comes now as I need to figure that mounting area out to know how much PCB room there is..

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HigashiJun
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Re: Should exxos design a new CT60 PSU?

Post by HigashiJun »

:dualthumbup:

:coolpics:

Can't wait seeing the final result !
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