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Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 10 Jul 2021 15:31
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 10 Jul 2021 11:17
rubber_jonnie wrote: 10 Jul 2021 10:51
@stephen_usher I said over on FB earlier today that this was a magnificent effort, and I can only reiterate that now :)
It's the tinkering which is the fun bit. Once it's all working there's the, "OK, what now?" bit. :-)
Anyway, if I get the DSKCHG to /READY conversion stuff working correctly this will be directly applicable to using PC drives with Ataris and Amigas. I can create a generic converter board which can re-route the DSKCHG to pin 2 and generate the /READY signal on pin 34 so any PC drive can be used without modification. I could even swap the drive ID lines etc. if necessary. It wouldn't be difficult.
I totally get what you mean regarding the 'Ok what now?' bit!!
Sounds like the floppy stuff could cross the borders quite nicely, be good to see the end result.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 12 Jul 2021 14:17
by stephen_usher
The new versions of the controller daughter board and Shugart/Apricot floppy cable converter PCBs are now on their way from China. If all goes well they should arrive before the weekend.
The cable converter fixes the ground plane problem and adds an extra set of connections so that I can tap the /MOTORON and /SELECT_DRIVE_0 lines and connect them to the controller daughter board as I will need them to control the /READY signal (and store the current drive state) using the ATTiny85. I've also moved the Shugart connector further forward so that it leaves more space for the daughter board.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 12 Jul 2021 15:08
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 12 Jul 2021 14:17
The new versions of the controller daughter board and Shugart/Apricot floppy cable converter PCBs are now on their way from China. If all goes well they should arrive before the weekend.
The cable converter fixes the ground plane problem and adds an extra set of connections so that I can tap the /MOTORON and /SELECT_DRIVE_0 lines and connect them to the controller daughter board as I will need them to control the /READY signal (and store the current drive state) using the ATTiny85. I've also moved the Shugart connector further forward so that it leaves more space for the daughter board.
Nice :)
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 12 Jul 2021 20:49
by stephen_usher
Bother! The Apricot monitor has just died.
I think that it must be the flyback transformer as there's no deflection left/right so you just see a line down the centre of the screen, bright where there's supposed to be text.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 17:27
by stephen_usher
Looks like the monitor is not repairable.
It's a bespoke Zenith design with a flyback transformer which is only mentioned in the specs of a Heathkit terminal otherwise and it doesn't give the specifications.
IMG_2364.jpg
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 17:42
by stephen_usher
The wonders of wiggling connectors.... :D
IMG_2365.jpg
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 17:46
by PhilC
well done. Kind of looks even more retro without the case on the monitor :D
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 17:58
by Tomswork
Maybe a broken solder joint on the pcb flyback are now for that.
Tom
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 18:24
by stephen_usher
Tomswork wrote: 13 Jul 2021 17:58
Maybe a broken solder joint on the pcb flyback are now for that.
Tom
The flyback, strangely, is not on a PCB, it's bolted to the chassis. The connections are via a header, which is what I wiggled.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 13 Jul 2021 18:35
by Tomswork
Oh that is old school right out of a 60's tv set
Tom