Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[birt_j]

The danger with too low a voltage is the low voltage circuit kicking in which 
will stop whatever is happening at the time. The unit uses a 5 cell NiCad pack, 
5 * 1.2V = 6V. A freshly charged pack might be more like 6.5V, so using a 6V 
regulated supply should work.

 

The danger with devices of this age with a pack installed is trying to run it 
plugged in all the time. This will overcharge the pack and quickly destroy it. 
The recommended procedure was to charge when the low battery light came on and 
charge 8-12 hours. The length of time depends on the device in question and 
should be in the manual. These days we have charge controller chips which makes 
this a non-issue.

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Charlie Hoey
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 8:58 AM
To: m100@lists.bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

 

Thanks a lot for that, Jeff. I believe I actually used a switching 5v supply, 
which turned out to be enough. 

 

Would it be a safe-ish strategy to aim for a regulated/switching power supply 
that hits the lower end of the battery pack's voltage? I had imagined it would 
just draw as much current as it needed as long as I kept the voltage under 
control, but I hadn't considered the battery being a sort of active power 
regulation component in the way you're describing. Super interesting, there's 
always more to know.

 

 

 

 

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Charlie Hoey]

Thanks a lot for that, Jeff. I believe I actually used a switching 5v
supply, which turned out to be enough.

Would it be a safe-ish strategy to aim for a regulated/switching power
supply that hits the lower end of the battery pack's voltage? I had
imagined it would just draw as much current as it needed as long as I kept
the voltage under control, but I hadn't considered the battery being a sort
of active power regulation component in the way you're describing. Super
interesting, there's always more to know.

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Charlie Hoey]

Was perusing the archive and noticed this thread, I can confirm the PC-2
plotter runs happily without a battery if you upgrade the power supply.
Just get newer one with the same polarity and voltage, but higher amperage.
I think mine was 2A, but *definitely* double check that polarity!

Also, first post on the forum so hopefully I'm not spamming everybody with
a 3 year old thread

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Jesse Huyett]

Thanks all for the recommendations and links. Looking forward to getting
this all up and running.
Esp appreciated as working from home/ stir-crazy due to mostly stuck inside.

Next on the project list does deal with my T102/ DVI so promises I'll keep
topics relevant to the group next time.

Again thanks.
Regards,
Jesse

On Tue, Mar 31, 2020 at 3:53 PM Philip Avery  wrote:

> Thanks Ron, that's good to know.
>
> Philip
>
> On 1/04/2020 8:07 am, Ron Lauzon wrote:
>
> The batteries only give the extra "oomph" to run the solenoids when
> printing.
>
> But it's possible that the printer is reporting batteries too low.
>
> Note that you can use a more powerful AC adapter to power the
> printer/PC-2.  I have a 2A one for my set up.  Then you don't need the
> batteries at all.
>
> --
> Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/
>
> TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model 100/102
> - Tandy 1100FD - Commodore 64 - TRS-80 Model 4P
> RC2014 (Mini and Pro) - Altair-Duino with TI Silent 700 - VT320
> terminal/Raspberry Pi 0
> Some people like to work on old cars.  But old computers are cheaper and
> don't require a big garage.
>
>
>
> Mar 31, 2020, 14:58 by pav...@xtra.co.nz:
>
> I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function. They
> provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.
>
> Philip
>
> On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:
>
> Hello All,
> Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this seems to be
> a welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free to point me elsewhere,
> tell me otherwise, or state where I can stick this thing.
>
> Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
> I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power was getting
> through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
> Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going through the
> self check...
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
> Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
> Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone familiar
> with the startup process and know what I should look for next?
>
> Regards,
> Jesse
>
>
>
>

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Philip Avery]

Thanks Ron, that's good to know.

Philip

On 1/04/2020 8:07 am, Ron Lauzon wrote:
The batteries only give the extra "oomph" to run the solenoids when 
printing.


But it's possible that the printer is reporting batteries too low.

Note that you can use a more powerful AC adapter to power the 
printer/PC-2.  I have a 2A one for my set up.  Then you don't need the 
batteries at all.


--
Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/

TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model 
100/102 - Tandy 1100FD - Commodore 64 - TRS-80 Model 4P
RC2014 (Mini and Pro) - Altair-Duino with TI Silent 700 - VT320 
terminal/Raspberry Pi 0
Some people like to work on old cars.  But old computers are cheaper 
and don't require a big garage.




Mar 31, 2020, 14:58 by pav...@xtra.co.nz:

I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function.
They provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.

Philip

On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:

Hello All,
Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this
seems to be a welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free
to point me elsewhere, tell me otherwise, or state where I can
stick this thing.

Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power
was getting through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going
through the self check...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone
familiar with the startup process and know what I should look
for next?

Regards,
Jesse

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Brian K. White]

Pens and gears: http://tandy.wiki/CGP-115
--
bkw

On 3/31/20 3:04 PM, Jesse Huyett wrote:

Hello Phillip,
Thanks much for the response.
Good to know. I thought this could be removed without any loss in 
functionality. I am using a bench supply which pushes more amps than the 
wall wart if it matters.
I plan on building a pack for this anyway and will definitely see if 
this helps.


It was also recommended that gears rotating the pens may need replaced. 
Googling now for a source.


Thanks again and Regards,
Jesse

On Tue, Mar 31, 2020 at 2:58 PM Philip Avery > wrote:


I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function. They
provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.

Philip

On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:
 > Hello All,
 > Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this seems
 > to be a welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free to point me
 > elsewhere, tell me otherwise, or state where I can stick this thing.
 >
 > Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
 > I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power was
 > getting through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
 > Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going
through
 > the self check...
 > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
 > Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
 > Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone
familiar
 > with the startup process and know what I should look for next?
 >
 > Regards,
 > Jesse




--
bkw

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Ron Lauzon]

The batteries only give the extra "oomph" to run the solenoids when printing.

But it's possible that the printer is reporting batteries too low.

Note that you can use a more powerful AC adapter to power the printer/PC-2.  I 
have a 2A one for my set up.  Then you don't need the batteries at all.

-- 
Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/

TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model 100/102 - 
Tandy 1100FD - Commodore 64 - TRS-80 Model 4P
RC2014 (Mini and Pro) - Altair-Duino with TI Silent 700 - VT320 
terminal/Raspberry Pi 0
Some people like to work on old cars.  But old computers are cheaper and don't 
require a big garage.



Mar 31, 2020, 14:58 by pav...@xtra.co.nz:

> I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function. They 
> provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.
>
> Philip
>
> On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>> Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this seems to be a 
>> welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free to point me elsewhere, tell 
>> me otherwise, or state where I can stick this thing.
>>
>> Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
>> I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power was getting 
>> through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
>> Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going through the 
>> self check...
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
>> Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
>> Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone familiar with 
>> the startup process and know what I should look for next?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Jesse
>>

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Jesse Huyett]

Hello Phillip,
Thanks much for the response.
Good to know. I thought this could be removed without any loss in
functionality. I am using a bench supply which pushes more amps than the
wall wart if it matters.
I plan on building a pack for this anyway and will definitely see if this
helps.

It was also recommended that gears rotating the pens may need replaced.
Googling now for a source.

Thanks again and Regards,
Jesse

On Tue, Mar 31, 2020 at 2:58 PM Philip Avery  wrote:

> I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function. They
> provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.
>
> Philip
>
> On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:
> > Hello All,
> > Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this seems
> > to be a welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free to point me
> > elsewhere, tell me otherwise, or state where I can stick this thing.
> >
> > Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
> > I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power was
> > getting through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
> > Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going through
> > the self check...
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
> > Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
> > Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone familiar
> > with the startup process and know what I should look for next?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jesse
>
>

Re: [M100] Warning: Not a(n) M100 but a PC-2 question.

[Philip Avery]

I have one of those. The printer needs the batteries to function. They 
provide current sinking beyond what the wall wart does.


Philip

On 1/04/2020 5:04 am, Jesse Huyett wrote:

Hello All,
Asking here having seen some other handhelds come up, and this seems 
to be a welcoming group for all things Tandy. Feel free to point me 
elsewhere, tell me otherwise, or state where I can stick this thing.


Pocet Computer 2 with the Printer/ Cassette Interface.
I passed the first "CHECK 6" error having realized no power was 
getting through due to a bad Cadmium battery.
Removed and now getting the pleasant sound of a printer going through 
the self check...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncEeFjXthA
Still ends up on CHECK 6 though.
Definitely getting power, doesn't seem jammed, ...  Is anyone familiar 
with the startup process and know what I should look for next?


Regards,
Jesse