Denial

Mayhem wrote:My other PAL Vic20 is the same as Elwee. Two prong with the same connector into the computer.

Interesting, I didn't think any PAL version had this power socket. What sort of logo label does it have? Any chance of a photo of the serial label?

I can take one of the bottom of the Vic20, it's quite a high serial number actually (six digits iirc). The power supply itself is possibly a converted US unit, but it's definitely wired for the UK power system, and is featured on the power supply wiki - http://sleepingelephant.com/denial/wiki ... wer_supply (second photo down under the IMAGES heading).

As promised, here's a shot of the Vic20 logo label and serial label.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q167 ... mivgsg.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q167 ... vqvgr5.jpg

I cannot see where you are located in the information posted under your Avatar. However, I really suspect that you might have a N. American early VIC-20 there, because as far as I understood, all early European VIC-20s had a badge like this:

http://sleepingelephant.com/denial/wiki ... _badge.jpg

...and no European VIC-20s used the "brass" and black badge like the one you have.

This type of badge, however, was used on ALL North American 2-prong VIC-20s).

One way to tell for sure would be to open it up and see if the VIC chip is PAL or NTSC.

If that was directed at me Ral-clan, then I thought you knew by now that I lived in the UK

Anyhow, I was 99.9% certain of the answer before opening the machine. The VIC chip says 6561E on it.

As for where I got it from, I inherited the computer from my brother's fiancee, it was their family computer in the 80s, which she discovered in the loft one day and asked if I'd like it. As for where they got it from, probably an ordinary high street store in the UK such as Currys or Dixons.

Oh, Hi Mayhem.

For some reason when I first read this thread the first page didn't show up, so I missed all those posts. I also missed the pictures on the original post of the rectangular power supply socket with the divider. That was the first time I'd seen a power connector like that on the VIC-20.

Are all UK and European 2-prong VIC-20 power sockets rectangular like this rather than the sort of "figure eight lying on its side" that the North American ones have?

I found a Commodore PSU P/N 1001038-04 (240V in and 9V 3A out), rectangular plug with the divider. Very heavy black metal small brick. Apparently it can be opened, as it shows at the bottom four screws with square holes. Has replaceable fuse. Can't remember where I got it, I just dug for it in my drawer after reading this article. Tested and working with an early German VIC w/ rainbow paper label.

The PSU has a P/N NOT mentioned nor illustrated in the wiki page. Should I add it?

ral-clan wrote:Are all UK and European 2-prong VIC-20 power sockets rectangular like this rather than the sort of "figure eight lying on its side" that the North American ones have?

I believe the early PAL Vic20s should have the socket with the divider in the middle, seems to be the common type. I've got one as well in addition to the one I shot, but I'm without a power supply for it currently. Later of course it moved to the DIN socket. I think the one I photographed is becoming somewhat of a weird anomaly at this rate! Made in Japan, with a US logo label, yet the power supply looks like a early US one but is definitely wired for a UK socket and is expecting 230V in.

Oh Commodore, you were full of surprises.

I'm working on a custom power supply for my C64 that can handle VIC's with a DIN-style power connector too. Unfortunately, I still have not found a plug for my two VIC's with two-prong connector. My search continues!

orion70 wrote:I found a Commodore PSU P/N 1001038-04.
The PSU has a P/N NOT mentioned nor illustrated in the wiki page. Should I add it?

You should definitely add it to the Wiki. I would appreciate that Orion70!

Done
I realized it's (tough) plastic and not metal indeed; and it's 240V instead of the 220V of -03 model. We have 220V here in Italy. Will this harm my older VICs?

Shouldn't do, it's only indicating what voltage it expects from the mains, albeit that's fairly flexible. Most devices in Europe are designed to handle 220-240V input. Actually, if there was truly a problem, many older devices here in the UK would have gone faulty as we swapped to using 230V instead of 240V about 15 years ago.

Search and you shall find!
I am a happy man

Ow, and I forgot the best part. The transformer came with a computer as well. My search for a transformer has given me two additional vic-20's!

Glad for you. Congratulations on your new VIC, too. Older two-prong VICs hold a particular charm.