Power Supplies
The VIC-20 uses an external power supply (transformer in an black external metal or plastic case). All power supplies are connected to the VIC-20 at the right hand side of the computer near the joystick port and power switch. There were several models of power supply made over the production life of the VIC-20. During the first few years, the power supply was attached to the VIC-20 with a two prong connector. Later, cost-reduced versions of the VIC-20 used a DIN type connector. The DIN type power supply was largely the same as that used for the Commodore 64 (the C64's power supply was later moulded in beige plastic). There was also at least one third-party (Maxtron) manufacturing a replacement power supply compatible with the VIC-20.
Although the numbering system used on VIC-20 product numbers is not fully understood by users & collectors, it seems that the suffix (i.e. -01, -02, -03, -06) may refer to the region the power supply was sold in (i.e. N. America, Europe, Japan) or perhaps the voltage type of the power supply (110V / 220V).
Denial forum member "Mayhem" recalls that early Commodore power supplies sold in the U.K. did not come with outlet plugs attached. The user had to install one him or herself!
Early Two-Prong Connector Type
This is used by the older generation of VIC-20s. The external power supply is a simple 9V transformer, with no electronics included inside it. This unit is typically very reliable. It is normal for the unit to "buzz" at 60hz lightly. This type of power supply can be opened and the internal fuse replaced (250V, 0.5A). When the fuse is blown inside this power supply, the VIC-20 will not operate. Some two prong VIC-20 power supplies share the same part number, but are quite different in terms of appearance & construction.
Part No. | Description | Market | Input | Output | Openable? | Replaceable
Fuse? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1001038-02 | Rectangular metal case version shipped with VIC-1001 and early Japanese made VIC-20s. | N. American / Japanese | 120VAC, 60/50Hz | 11VAC, 38VA | Yes | Unknown |
1001038-03
(early version?) |
Metal case. Identical in appearance to 1001038-02. Shipped with some VIC-20s sold in U.K. | European | 220V, 50/60Hz | 11VAC, 38VA | Yes | Unknown |
1001038-03
(later version?) |
Power supply for some German VC-20s. Small, black, stepped, black moulded plastic cube. | European | 220V, 50Hz, 27VA | 9V, 3A | No | Yes |
1001038-04 | Small, black, stepped moulded plastic cube.
Identical in appearance to 1001038-03. 240V instead of 220V. |
European | 240V, 50Hz, 27VA | 9V, 3A | No | Yes |
902502-01 | Similar to 1001038-03. Small, stepped, black moulded plastic cube. | N. American / Japanese | 117V, ?? | 9V AC, ?? | No | No |
902502-02
(early version) |
Identical in appearance to 902502-01. Small, stepped, black moulded plastic cube. | N. American / Japanese | 117V, 60Hz, 400mA | 11.5VAC, 30VA | No | No |
902502-02
(later version) |
Larger, rectangular case with rounded corners. | N. American / Japanese | 117V, 47-63Hz, 40W | 10VAC, 30VA | Yes | Yes |
Later DIN Connector Type
The VIC-20 revision C uses a different type of power supply which provides 9VAC and regulated 5VDC. Since the 5V regulator is external with this revision of the VIC-20, it dissipates much less heat and consumes less power.
The power supply of the revision C is similar to the one supplied with the Commodore 64 and uses exactly the same type of connector with same pinout assingment. However, the VIC-20 model is rated for less power so it is not recommended to use a power supply from a VIC on a 64.
People who accidentally or intentionally powered their 64 with the power supply of a VIC-20 revision C often damaged their 64 when the 5V regulator in the power supply failed and output excessive voltage resulting in damage to the 64's CMOS DRAM chips.
Doing the opposite - powering a VIC-20 revision C with a 64's power supply - is perfectly safe.
These power supplies are also very susceptible to failure. All electronic components are sealed in epoxy inside the brick and cannot be easily repaired.
It is interesting to note that if the 9V component of the power supply fails, the VIC-20 will still operate, but certain functions (such as the datasette port) will not supply power. Some DIN connector power supplies for the VIC-20 share the same part number, but have slightly different cases & labels.
Pin | Use |
---|---|
1 | GND |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | +5V |
5 | |
6 | 9V AC |
7 |
Part No. | Description | Market | Input | Output | Openable? | Replaceable
Fuse? |
Manufactured |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
251052-02
(first known model) |
Rectangular black plastic case with few ridges. Sticky label on top.
This specific model is reputed to destroy C64 computers |
N. American / Japanese | 117V, 50/60Hz | 5V DC-7.5W, 9VAC-2.5VA | No | No | Taiwan |
251053-02
(early version) |
Rectangular black plastic case with few ridges. Sticky label on top. | N. American / Japanese | 117V, 50/60Hz | 5V DC-8.5W, 9VAC-9.0VA | No | No | Singapore |
251053-02
(later version) |
Rectangular black plastic case with few ridges. Commodore logo moulded into top.
A similar looking power supply was later produced in a whiter colour to match C64c. |
N. American / Japanese | 117V, 50/60Hz | 5V DC-8.5W, 9VAC-9.0VA | No | No | Singapore |
251053-04 | Identical in appearance to the later version 251053-02.
Rectangular black plastic case with many ridges, Commodore logo moulded into top. A similar looking power supply was later produced in a whiter colour to match the C64c. |
European | 220V, 50Hz | 5V DC-8.5W, 9VAC-9.0VA | No | Unknown | |
251053-06 | Beige plastic wedge. Rounded corners. Commodore logo moulded into top. | European | 220V, 50Hz, 33VA | 9V-1A, 5V-1.5A | No | Yes | |
Maxtron PS-01
(third-party product) |
Rectangular black plastic case with silver label on top. | N. American / Japanese | 117V, 60Hz, 40W | 5V DC 1.7A, 9VAC, 1.0A | Unknown | Unknown |
It is quite simple to create a new power supply for the VIC utilizing the DIN connector from a failed/suspect supply. Requirements: 1. 9V AC power supply 1.0A (Some older analog modems have this. It has to be AC for timing signals) 2. 5V DC power supply >2A. These are fairly common, although 2A would require a switching transformer or a rather large wall wart. An old PC power supply will do (the kind with the hard switch).