A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

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stephen_usher
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by stephen_usher »

Not many components on that board so should be a quick build.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 25 Mar 2025 12:23 Not many components on that board so should be a quick build.
Yeah, just waiting for the remainder of parts to arrive.

Should be done in a few days.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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HigashiJun
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by HigashiJun »

Looks good !
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 26 Mar 2025 00:40 Looks good !
Thanks :)

Small issue though, it suggests on github that the board can be powered from the Amstrad, but I just don't think that is true, however once all the parts are here I should be able to test out the theory. I'm just waiting on IC's and some connectors.

In case it requires power I've got a PicoPSU coming and the way the schematic seems to work is that there is a 12v barrel jack into the ISA board, and that feeds the PicoPSU, which in turn powers the ISA board and the Amstrad PPC.

I have all the pinouts, so I should be able to adequately test the ISA board voltage outputs before I plug it into the machine, hopefully ruling out any chance of magic smoke!!!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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HigashiJun
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 00:54 Small issue though, it suggests on github that the board can be powered from the Amstrad, but I just don't think that is true, however once all the parts are here I should be able to test out the theory. I'm just waiting on IC's and some connectors.
I guess the Amstrad is powered via an AC/DC adapter.

In such case, you can still use a splitter to power your machine and the board at the same time (provided the voltage is the same):

Splitter.jpg
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 26 Mar 2025 05:18
rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 00:54 Small issue though, it suggests on github that the board can be powered from the Amstrad, but I just don't think that is true, however once all the parts are here I should be able to test out the theory. I'm just waiting on IC's and some connectors.
I guess the Amstrad is powered via an AC/DC adapter.

In such case, you can still use a splitter to power your machine and the board at the same time (provided the voltage is the same):


Splitter.jpg
It has a single 12v input and if I'm reading it right (not 100 % sure) the ISA board has a spot to plug in the PicoPsu and a power connector, plus a connector on board to serve the PicoPsu with 12v.

So the power brick I'm using at the moment would power the ISA board and the ISA board then powers the PPC over the expansion connectors.

It's a bit janky but means no need to split the 12v power, it'll just go into the expander rather than the PPC.

Also, I found this in the service manual: "When an expansion unit is fitted, the PPC must be powered via the expansion connectors." and that fits in with my understanding of what's what.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 08:40 It has a single 12v input and if I'm reading it right (not 100 % sure) the ISA board has a spot to plug in the PicoPsu and a power connector, plus a connector on board to serve the PicoPsu with 12v.

So the power brick I'm using at the moment would power the ISA board and the ISA board then powers the PPC over the expansion connectors.

It's a bit janky but means no need to split the 12v power, it'll just go into the expander rather than the PPC.

Also, I found this in the service manual: "When an expansion unit is fitted, the PPC must be powered via the expansion connectors." and that fits in with my understanding of what's what.
Ok, get it now...

I didn't catch the end of your previous post.

Quite weird to power the Amstrad via the expansion.
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 26 Mar 2025 09:42
rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 08:40 It has a single 12v input and if I'm reading it right (not 100 % sure) the ISA board has a spot to plug in the PicoPsu and a power connector, plus a connector on board to serve the PicoPsu with 12v.

So the power brick I'm using at the moment would power the ISA board and the ISA board then powers the PPC over the expansion connectors.

It's a bit janky but means no need to split the 12v power, it'll just go into the expander rather than the PPC.

Also, I found this in the service manual: "When an expansion unit is fitted, the PPC must be powered via the expansion connectors." and that fits in with my understanding of what's what.
Ok, get it now...

I didn't catch the end of your previous post.

Quite weird to power the Amstrad via the expansion.
Yeah it is odd. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of instructions on the github, so it isn't really clear that this is the case, and it hints the expander can be powered from the Amstrad, but looking at the service manual, the power pins on the connector are all inputs to the machine and not outputs, then with the spot for an onboard PicoPSU it started to make sense.

Trouble is the 20 pin ATX connector I can only seem get from Ali Express, so I'll have to wait for those to arrive.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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HigashiJun
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 10:05 Trouble is the 20 pin ATX connector I can only seem get from Ali Express, so I'll have to wait for those to arrive.
:(
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 26 Mar 2025 10:11
rubber_jonnie wrote: 26 Mar 2025 10:05 Trouble is the 20 pin ATX connector I can only seem get from Ali Express, so I'll have to wait for those to arrive.
:(
Indeed
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...

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