Winter start on third cranking

Modding and Technical Issues

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
beamrider
Vic 20 Scientist
Posts: 1447
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Winter start on third cranking

Post by beamrider »

Recently fired up one of my vics from storage. What was noteworthy is that it took three attempts to boot up, a bit like an old car on a cold morning.

Attempts:

1) a flickery screen that went black after a short while

2) flickery screen with random characters visible then froze

3) booted up fine

Anyone offer explanations on the likely failing component(s)?
User avatar
eslapion
ultimate expander
Posts: 5458
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:50 pm
Location: Canada
Occupation: 8bit addict

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by eslapion »

You know you could've destroyed your VIC-20 doing that ?

The capacitors from the power supply are toast and need replacing.

DON'T turn your VIC-20 on again until you do.

BTW, It's impossible to tell if your VIC uses an internal PSU (2 prong PSU) or has an external one (round C64 style connector).

If it's a round connector PSU, trash it and NEVER use it again. The power cap inside is dead and may damage the computers you try to power up with it. These PSUs are full of epoxy and are nearly impossible to fix.
Be normal.
User avatar
beamrider
Vic 20 Scientist
Posts: 1447
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by beamrider »

Thanks, it's interesting that I only noticed this after swapping out my regular vic as was having issues with the WiModem.

Any way to check which power supplies are good?
User avatar
eslapion
ultimate expander
Posts: 5458
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:50 pm
Location: Canada
Occupation: 8bit addict

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by eslapion »

beamrider wrote:Any way to check which power supplies are good?
To answer that question, I need to know what type of VIC-20 you have.
Be normal.
User avatar
beamrider
Vic 20 Scientist
Posts: 1447
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by beamrider »

I have a few of both types, but the two in question are both 5-pin.
User avatar
mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by mrr19121970 »

7 pin din. You can get a sav64 from skydivingirl or snip out the voltage regulator and add UBEC instead.
User avatar
RobertBe
Vic 20 Elite
Posts: 2304
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:48 pm

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by RobertBe »

Or get Ray Carlsen's Computer Saver - internal, mid-line, or deluxe version - and use it with the VIC-20, if you wish to keep the original power supply.

Merry Christmas,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
User avatar
mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by mrr19121970 »

Rays PSUs are super I have one, but not everyone is willing/able to spend 100$ or more. A UBEC will set you back 2$
User avatar
RobertBe
Vic 20 Elite
Posts: 2304
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:48 pm

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by RobertBe »

mrr19121970 wrote:Rays PSUs are super I have one...
I am talking about the three versions of his Computer Saver, which are priced at $20, $35, and $50. See

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cables.html
...but not everyone is willing/able to spend 100$ or more.
Ray Carlsen has three versions of his replacement power supplies, which are priced at $35, $80, and $100. See

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/custom%20ps.html

Not including his pricing for power supplies with many multiple outputs, C16, Amigas, and disk drives/RAMLink,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Last edited by RobertBe on Tue Dec 20, 2016 2:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
RobertBe
Vic 20 Elite
Posts: 2304
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:48 pm

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by RobertBe »

I wrote:Ray Carlsen has three versions of his replacement power supplies, which are priced at $35, $80, and $100.
Oops, I missed his variant, priced at $90, which has a C64/VIC-20CR output and a C128 output.

Not including his pricing for power supplies with many multiple outputs, C16, Amigas, and disk drives/RAMLink,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
User avatar
beamrider
Vic 20 Scientist
Posts: 1447
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by beamrider »

So being lazy I have ordered a PSU from Ray.

I have a few 2 pin vics. Are these then at risk even when operating from a good psu due to the aging internal regulator?

If so, can they be modified intenally with a UBEC?
User avatar
mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by mrr19121970 »

The 9v transformer will generally be OK.

The internal transformer you should worry about. The bridge rectifier and voltage regulator get hot and will wear. The electrolyte capacitor (C29 from memory) that smooths the AC ripple is old and could be replaced too. Ray Carlson recommends removing the heat sinks and applying new thermal grease and reattaching them really tightly.
User avatar
beamrider
Vic 20 Scientist
Posts: 1447
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by beamrider »

So you're saying it's not possible to replace the internal transformer with the UBEC?
User avatar
mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by mrr19121970 »

Yes it is possible. Remove VR1 and add it.
User avatar
eslapion
ultimate expander
Posts: 5458
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:50 pm
Location: Canada
Occupation: 8bit addict

Re: Winter start on third cranking

Post by eslapion »

beamrider wrote:So being lazy I have ordered a PSU from Ray.

I have a few 2 pin vics. Are these then at risk even when operating from a good psu due to the aging internal regulator?
The component that ages is the capacitor, not the regulator but in the case of 2 prong VICs, this component is physically obvious and easy to replace with a new one.
Be normal.
Post Reply