CORE + SID Power Draw?

[m00dawg]

I was curious as to how many amps the CORE and SID modules together draw? I was thinking of taking a 9V or 12V power brick and splitting the output to both modules so I only need a single plug. I have one 12V 1A and one 9V 800mA but I plan on taking one back if possible and using just one of these.

I plan on adding the additional modules (LCD, Knobs, LED array, etc.) but will probably stick with one SID for now since it will take some time to find more of these guys (particularly the 8580 it seems).

I saw the schematics for using the C64 PSU, but would like to use something more custom and to leave it for my C64 just in case I want to play with it (albeit it no sound of course :)

Any help is appreciated!

[Wilba]

The big problem is the heat generated in the 5v regulator when the input is a lot higher, like 12v.

The C64 PSU is good in this respect as it puts the 5v regulator on a massive heatsink. I think it's just a big transformer with two 9v AC outputs, where one 9v AC output goes through a rectifier/regulator to produce the 5v DC, and the other 9v AC output goes straight down the power cable.

So you can probably just power the Core and SID's 5v requirements without too much current (<100mA) and the 7805 won't get too hot, but if you're going to add a backlit LCD and LEDs, then the current draw will go up and up and the regulator will start to overheat.

[m00dawg]

Ah that makes sense. Yes, I do plan on adding LEDs and an LCD module once I get the initial stuff built. I think I will either go with your suggestion of using the C64 power-brick (it's not like I really use the C64 itself too much anyway, so I suppose it can share) or just break out a custom power board.

For now, it sounds like I can go ahead and return the extra power-brick I had to buy from RadioShack (bleh) and worry about the big stuff later :)

Thanks for the help!

[Wilba]

Yeah, good decision, if you have the C64 PSU you should use it, it's a lot easier and you don't have to worry about overheating the 5v regulator.