Can I use the PSU from a C64 on my Plus/4 ?

[mostlyharmless]

Hi folks !

I have a Plus/4 that is missing the PSU, so I wonder if it is possible to use a PSU for a C64 ?

The Plus/4 have the same connection, but can I try this without destroying anyting ?

[administrator]

Yes, you can use a C64 Power Supply on a Plus/4, according the very knowledgable Ray Carlson. He says: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/plus4.txt

The power supply for the Plus/4 is the same as the C-64, namely the
non-repairable "black brick" which outputs two voltages: 5 volts DC at
about 1 Amp, and 9 volts AC. Although some Plus/4s were built with the
round DIN type connector, most have a square 4 pin type, similar in
appearance to the C-128 but not compatible. The pinout is as follows
(viewed facing computer):

----v----
9VAC ------|-0 0-|------ 9VAC
| |
+5VDC ------|-0 0-|------ Ground
|_________|

Note: you can use a standard power connector jack removed from a spare
C64 motherboard to replace this unavailable square DIN type. It fits in
the same place on the Plus/4 board without modification. Then you can use
a standard C64 power supply, but as rare as the Plus/4 is, I would
recommend a more reliable power pack than the old Commodore black brick.

On a related note, this is what we wrote about the hardware in our PLUS/4 article: http://www.commodore.ca/products/264/Co ... family.htm

The 264 family had seemingly needless hardware complexities. On the plus side, Commodore 64 drives and printers were compatible because 264's also used Commodores IEC Serial Bus. Monitor and RF Modulator TV connectors were also the same on both products. Further, Commodore 1531 'datasets' originally designed for the VIC-20 and common to the C64 would connect to these new machines with the aid of an adaptor.

264's could be even upgraded to a substantial 80K of RAM, although I have never even heard of anyone even attempting this expansion.

Commodore completed design and started a small production run of 1551 floppy drives which transmitted data four times as fast as a notoriously slow Commodore 1541 floppy. Its speed came from being connected to the Expansion Port rather than the more traditional Serial Port.

On the negative side 264's Commodore produced only one joystick that would function on a 264. The cartridge slot was brand new so C64 cartridges could not be inserted into a 264 and given the 264 series very low sales volumes, there were only four 264 series cartridges ever produced.

I hope this helps