exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Okay, another question. I've been watching a couple of the RGB2HDMI "how to" video's,
and in them they state that the device draws power from the ST's motherboard. It looks
like (and apologies if I've got this wrong), that other people are powering theirs using the
onboard P/S connector on the PiZero.

So can either one be used (but not both, I'm assuming)?

Thanks.

Darklord wrote: 02 Apr 2024 07:42 Okay, another question. I've been watching a couple of the RGB2HDMI "how to" video's,
and in them they state that the device draws power from the ST's motherboard. It looks
like (and apologies if I've got this wrong), that other people are powering theirs using the
onboard P/S connector on the PiZero.

So can either one be used (but not both, I'm assuming)?

IIRC (it's been a long time, and my brain isn't as young as it used to be), it can be done either way, or indeed both (as long as you're using the same +5V and GND), but I decided early on in my design to avoid loading down VCC on the motherboard wherever possible, since I accidentally ended up with a whole stack of upgrades in this thing, and the overall power draw is well beyond what Atari envisioned on this motherboard.

So my PiZero has a micro-USB connection for power, but I do not now recall what I did with the other end, but I assume I tied it directly to +5V and GND on the picoPSU.

derkom wrote: 02 Apr 2024 12:13
IIRC (it's been a long time, and my brain isn't as young as it used to be), it can be done either way, or indeed both (as long as you're using the same +5V and GND), but I decided early on in my design to avoid loading down VCC on the motherboard wherever possible, since I accidentally ended up with a whole stack of upgrades in this thing, and the overall power draw is well beyond what Atari envisioned on this motherboard.

So my PiZero has a micro-USB connection for power, but I do not now recall what I did with the other end, but I assume I tied it directly to +5V and GND on the picoPSU.

I figured it was something along those lines. In the case of using the micro-USB connection for power, something else (one of the pins?) has to be dealt with otherwise, it will be fed power twice (not good).

Thanks. :)

Darklord wrote: 02 Apr 2024 18:54 In the case of using the micro-USB connection for power, something else (one of the pins?) has to be dealt with otherwise, it will be fed power twice (not good).

That wouldn't matter if the VCC is common. Not saying it is in this case, as I honestly don't remember, just sayin'...

Another question about the Pico P/S going to the STacy's motherboard instead of the 2nd floppy drive connector...

Looking at these 2 pictures, the 3 grounds - did you attach them to the 3 grounds coming out of the Pico P/S or
did you just use the STacy motherboard and/or the metal floppy/hard drive cage? Thanks.

Darklord wrote: 27 Apr 2024 06:41 Looking at these 2 pictures, the 3 grounds - did you attach them to the 3 grounds coming out of the Pico P/S or
did you just use the STacy motherboard and/or the metal floppy/hard drive cage? Thanks.

All the wires on those connectors go directly to the Pico. I don't think going to the motherboard or drive cage would make sense from this point, since this is the point from which those components ostensibly get their ground in the first place.

derkom wrote: 27 Apr 2024 08:03 All the wires on those connectors go directly to the Pico. I don't think going to the motherboard or drive cage would make sense from this point, since this is the point from which those components ostensibly get their ground in the first place.

Understood - thanks much! :)

Just a heads-up, something I discovered today.

As is, the 3D bracket that holds the Pico PS won't work with the original STacy floppy drive.

It's a bit too long. There's one small tab that has to be removed before the floppy drive will
fit in there and line up with the screw holes in the drive cage. I simply cut mine off and the
drive mounted up correctly then.

I did find one 1.44 HD floppy drive I had that was shorter and would fit in there. I had used
it previously but the module (from Ralcool) that I had in there was starting to fail, giving
floppy drive errors occasionally so I removed it. I have a 1.44 HD floppy upgrade kit from
Exxos here, but things are so crammed in that space under the drive cage I had planned on
leaving it out on this machine (especially since it has an internal Ultrasatan already).

The bracket is a great design. I think the issue is where you used the CosmosEx and removed
your internal floppy altogether, IIRC.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else was going to use those 3D files. I do
absolutely recommend them - saved me lots of extra work already. :)

PS I'll attach a picture showing the tab I'm talking about...

[EDIT] I'll attach 2 - needed to zoom in. :D

Okay, I tried to edit my post above but it's been too long apparently.

Anyway, I went back and was looking at some of the pictures - it does
seem like the floppy drive was used. For some reason, I had been
thinking that because of the CosmosEx, it had been removed.

So I can't figure out why my original STacy floppy drive won't fit using
that 3D printed bracket, without removing that small piece/tab. I
guess it doesn't really matter, in the end.

<shrugs>

I'm actually kinda worried now. I setup the RGB2HDMI mod and all I'm getting is a black screen.

So, I took the LCD in the STacy lid and in stand alone mode, powered it with a different Pico PS,
and hooked it to a Win10 box.I'm getting nothing but a black screen. :(

Can someone who has this setup look at this picture and verify that I've got all the various cables
plugged in correctly? (obviously I have the HDMI in cable disconnected in this picture)

Thanks.