Page 10 of 39
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:27
by stephen_usher
Yes. It's the next version on, which means better key caps.
However, it relised upon the fibre optic cables rather than using a set of broadcast LEDs, so I'm going to have to mod it.
There's also a slightly worrying tinkle of something lose inside.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:29
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 19 May 2021 16:27
Yes. It's the next version on, which means better key caps.
However, it relised upon the fibre optic cables rather than using a set of broadcast LEDs, so I'm going to have to mod it.
There's also a slightly worrying tinkle of something lose inside.
Fibre optic cables? sounds rather odd. And let's hope that rattle isn't anything serious!!
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:40
by stephen_usher
Thankfully the rattle was merely one of the axles of one of the feet which had broken off. That should be relatively easy to fix.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:41
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 19 May 2021 16:40
Thankfully the rattle was merely one of the axles of one of the feet which had broken off. That should be relatively easy to fix.
Panic over :dizzy:
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:43
by stephen_usher
rubber_jonnie wrote: 19 May 2021 16:29
Fibre optic cables? sounds rather odd. And let's hope that rattle isn't anything serious!!
Yeah, the Apricot F1, F2 and F10 all used IR between the keyboard, track ball and main unit. In the case of the F1's keyboard it had three LEDs and a large lens, along with a plce to put the fibre optic cable. In the F2 it seems that they forwent the broadcast approach and went for a fibre. It also looks as if there's an input for the mouse on this keyboard too.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:47
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 19 May 2021 16:43
rubber_jonnie wrote: 19 May 2021 16:29
Fibre optic cables? sounds rather odd. And let's hope that rattle isn't anything serious!!
Yeah, the Apricot F1, F2 and F10 all used IR between the keyboard, track ball and main unit. In the case of the F1's keyboard it had three LEDs and a large lens, along with a plce to put the fibre optic cable. In the F2 it seems that they forwent the broadcast approach and went for a fibre. It also looks as if there's an input for the mouse on this keyboard too.
Well at lest it theoretically sounds like you have a path forward for the KBD, even if you have to build a transmitter module, you should surely be able to hook it into the later KBD. What about the lens though, is that just to spread the IR wider rather than focus it?
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 16:55
by stephen_usher
Well, at the very least I can investigate the output. It shouldn't take too much effort to release the light! :-)
At the moment the LED is down a tube (into which the light guide would have slotted) I just need to somehow bring this to the outside world... Or hack a cheap fibre optic cable to fit.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 18:06
by stephen_usher
OK, the keyboard works. I managed to fit it in my rucksack for the cycle home, powered it from the bench power supply and pointed the LED hole at the F1 and I was able to set the time and date.
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 20:06
by stephen_usher
Having the right screws to put the machine back together really helps!
The set of M3 set screws I got in my RS delivery made it possible to finally do a full build of the machine (without the floppy at the moment).
It could do with a hell of a retrobright but it's starting to look OK, especially with a keyboard:
IMG_2294.jpg
Re: New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"
Posted: 19 May 2021 22:38
by stephen_usher
Oh. Don't buy Gorilla Epoxy resin, it's rubbish.
Instead of going off and becoming rock hard and hard to get off surfaces it becomes a rubbery thing which just peels off. I'm going to have to get some proper stuff to re-glue the F1 case.