VIC humming, then going black and white

pixel · Post by **pixel** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:48 pm

Is it the RF modulator perhaps? The thing is also getting very hot. Isn't that strange? The space bar is also defunct. Hope this can be fixed easily. !$%&@!

pixel · Post by **pixel** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 3:06 pm

Now the colors are back with a lot of color noise. And this thing is getting really, really hot. Barbecue hot. I'm not exactly amused…

pixel · Post by **pixel** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 3:12 pm

Explains the good state of the original package. This thing never worked really. *beer*

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:24 am

I assume you got a 2-prong VIC-20. It has the 5 V regulator built inside the case, and that gets warm.

If the computer hasn't been turned on for 10+ years, chances are that most electrolytic capacitors inside have de-polarized and/or dried up. The regulator requires good voltage stabilization on input and output, which defunct caps can't deliver. And then the regulator gets *hot*.

You'll need a good collection of spares and a soldering station to get the VIC in good shape again. Perhaps take it to a local retro meeting?

Post by **joshuadenmark** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 4:09 am

Thomas is building a replacement for this 5 volt regulator, to get rid of the heat.

http://lovskog.net/projects/index.php/2 ... d-is-here/

srowe · Post by **srowe** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:18 am

That's really neat. Are these going to be available for sale?

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 1:29 pm

I've got a two prong Vic20, and yes, it can get quite hot, but I've not seen the colour problems attributed here so far. Maybe I don't leave it on long enough? Usually it's on for 20-30 minutes at most at a time currently.

darkatx · Post by **darkatx** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 6:32 am

That's the first thing I was thinking when he said it was now working...after warming up. I immediately thought it was bad caps. The next thing folks notice is that the warm up time interval gets longer and longer until you're ultimately down for good.

srowe · Post by **srowe** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:37 pm

This site also has an LM 323 replacement

http://www.ezsbc.com/index.php/psu5.html

pixel · Post by **pixel** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:53 pm

Thanks everyone!

The top if the power regulator reads "SH 323".

e5frog · Post by **e5frog** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 9:38 am

Get the above mentioned replacement for $8.95 to get a cooler machine, shipping was only $6.95 (to Sweden) so they seem to have reasonable shipping costs. Swap all electrolytic caps if you have no way of testing them... and maybe then it will run just fine.

Maybe stuff one of these new type of linear regulators in there instead:
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/e ... s=LT1085CT
I was trying to see what size heat sink is needed or a number about efficiency, found nothing.

A new LM323 costs over $30 on DigiKey at least, but it might be OK, could be just the caps - or something else.

Denial

VIC humming, then going black and white

VIC humming, then going black and white

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Re: VIC humming, then going black and white

Re: VIC humming, then going black and white

Re: VIC humming, then going black and white

Re: VIC humming, then going black and white

Re: VIC humming, then going black and white

Re: VIC humming, then going black and white