pingosimon

So...how about this one?

Well there are a lot of different kinds of bridge rectifiers, according to the links.

Thanks guys, that definitely clears up how the bridge rectifier works, at least in this circuit!

Well I'll take you guys' word for it that they don't matter, but if you typed or linked to something explaining why, I'd gladly read it!

Meh, I'm sure he'll be good for something else down the road :) I'm already confused again...the schematic shows two writes coming from the plug, labeled "5VDC." If the ground is not labeled, does that mean it doesn't matter which wire is coming from the ground and which from that actual +5V line?

Thanks a lot guys! I'm getting closer and close to understanding this. My dad explained to me last night how switches are represented in schematics. A lightbulb went off and I realize why I didn't understand the switch part of it before :P About the bridge rectifier, one of my friends explained it to me this way: If you rotate that image 90 degrees clockwise, you essentially have it oriented how your schematic is. The negative side is where the two diodes are pointing away from the connection. The positing is where the diodes are pointing towards the connection. Your schematic is labeled, just not obviously so. There is a (+) label beside the rectifier part name, and a (-) label below. Follow those lines back to the rectifier and you have the + and - connections. Or, for the easy answer, look at the diodes on the schematic. The diodes are the things marked like black triangles with a line on top in case you don't know. There are 4 connections there. Negative is the left one between the diodes. Positive is the right one between the diodes. The ~ connection is on top and bottom. By this explanation, it seems that the ~ DO matter. Is this particular PSU circuit just an exception?

Alright, I reallly need help. My dad and the three friends I have who might be of help can't figure these out, either. I found the pairs of leads on the power switch that are continuous. I don't understand why there are only two power switch symbols on the schematic. The datasheet doesn't help. I found the + and - of the bridge rectifier, but I can't figure out which ~ is which. Does it matter? The datasheet doesn't help.

Crimping and plug assembling successful! Not as hard as I thought it'd be! Now to figure out where the wires go.

Thanks guys! I looked at some data sheets for the switch, but it's still a bit confusing. I'll try the continuity test when I get home, then look at the sheets more to see if they make more sense. Crimps & Plugs: if it's one wire for one plug hole, will I need more than one wire coming out of my PSU breadboard? Should I have multiple wires in one hole, or should I link different holes together on the solder side, so each wire has its own hole? I'll get a crimping tool asap. Power SUpply: I thought the AC pins were supposed to be 14V? I think my beige PSU says 14V and my black one says 9V. Oh well, apparently they're both outputting the right amount. Where have you guys mounted the 2200 cap at the end of the last SID module? Seems like it would get messy to try to attach it to the same breadboard as the rest of the PSU circuit.

Also, my C64 power LED has two wires in it. Why does the schematic show 3? Last question for tonight :P I measured the voltages of my C64 PSU connected to my wall. I got about 5V between the ground and the DC pin, but only 10.5 volts between the two AC pins. I get the same result with two different C64 PSUs. Is this normal?

Alright, so I have my Core, two SID modules and a DIN and DOUT module finished! Onto the Optimized PSU...without the luxury of a PCB. If anyone can guide me to some information on how to read schematics, I'll gladly read it. I've been googling and asking people to no avail, so I figured I'd ask here. 7809: The pins are just 1, 2, 3, left to right? Power switch: Smash TV game me an extra one of his! A Salecom T80-R. It looks like one of these http://www.allproducts.com/ee/salecom/06-t80r_print.html I can't find a datasheet so I don't understand how each of the 6 leads are wired. Physical connections: I'm building this on a breadboard. Will the ends of the PSU circuit (marked 14VDC and 5VDC on the schematic) be loose wires? Those should have plugs, like this http://www.avishowtech.com/mbhp/images/c2p.jpg right? Can more than one wire be stuffed into one plug, or should all the wires come out from the breadboard? I'm referring to the fact that there seem to be 4 to 6 wires coming out of the 5VDC icon, and two from the 14VDC. Hope this isn't annoying...I tried to do it myself, but I just don't know enough!

That parts list would be amazing! I'm starting out building a stereo SID setup, but if I upgrade it I'd probably go for the full MB-6582

Right, I get that the two voltages combine. I guess I don't understand why there is a 7809 within the PSU circuit.

Ah, thanks! I found those parts on Mouser, except the 7-pin DIN socket and the power switch. Anyone know where I can get those? SmashTV is out :( Another Optimized PSU question: Will it work later if I want to add a CORE and a pair of SID modules with 6581 SIDs? The 7809 in there worries me. EDIT: ok I found two DIN sockets on Mouser, but they're chassis mounts.

Ah, so I do need to buy some parts. I can find most of them, but where do I get a B40C800? That's a bridge rectifier, right? And what's a good way to buy a single 7809? I'll go to Fry's tomorrow, but their website isn't giving me much hope that they'll have what I need.

Just curious, why are these schematics so different? http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_sid_c64_psu.pdf http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_8xsid_c64_psu_optimized.pdf Is the 2 SID one obsolete now? I was going to make that one, since it's simpler and I only have two SID modules at the moment, but I don't want to to be obsolete when I decide to upgrade to a 4 SID setup. There are extra capacitors on the 8xsid design. Are those found in the C64 also, or do I need to buy them separate? Should this whole system be connected to a circuit board? I'm going to my dad's tomorrow to try to set up the PSU...he knows a bit more about all this stuff than I do.

heh, I tried to salvage the power in socket and the power switch from one of my C64s with disastrous results. The C64 PSU is probably my best option, since I want to power a CORE, two 6582 modules, and eventually two more 6581 modules. Where do you get these sockets and switches, and how do you connect the C64 PSU to the CORE and SID module J1/J2 pins? (I have the schematics, I'm wondering about physical connections...crimps/plugs/solder?)

ah that makes sense. I just put together another SID board and got 6.6 volts. Glad to confirm I didn't do anything wrong!

I got my CORE up and running! I soldered everything onto the SID module board, and tested the voltage between pin 14 and pin 28 of IC!, the SID chip plug. I'm only measuring 6.72 volts. I'm using a 9v battery and connecting it to J1 of the SID module. 6.2 volts when I change the polarity. Measuring the battery alone gives me 8.5 volts. What's going on?

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I needed! I'll order a few few of these options so I can have them all in front of me when I feel like making a final decision.

Well a 9v battery worked fine for just testing the voltage across pins! I'm going to keep looking into using the C64 power supply. Maybe use the plug and on/off switch from the C64. I can't find any plugs that would fit onto the two pins of the circuit board. I tried all sorts of phrases in google. What have CORE builders here done before?

Yep, I've read that paragraph many times! I have an AC adapter that fits those specs. But what about the physical connection? J1 is two pins. The AC adapter is a cylindrical plug.

Well I got my core all assembled (except for inserting the chips). The next step is applying power to the thing so I can test voltages. For now, I can use just some wires coming from a 9v battery, 9v 500mA AC adapter, or my C64 PSU. What's the long-term solution for powering the MIDIbox? I've found the schematics for the core and the optimized PSU, but neither make reference to any special plugs. Is it really going to be just soldered wires? Should I salvage the power plug from my C64? Thanks!

Nice find! Seems like a super obscure thing to come across. How necessary/useful is it, though? Has anyone's SID chips stopped working due to heat?

Woohoo, my order finally arrived! I also just ordered two LCD screens: http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=LCM-S02002DSRvirtualkey69600000virtualkey696-LCM-S02002DSR http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=NHD-0220GZ-FSW-GBW-Lvirtualkey66010000virtualkey763-0220GZ-FSW-GBW Now to go buy a couple tools and some good solder.