Step down converter 230V to 110V

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KellyP

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#270199 28-Apr-2020 09:40

Sorry it's another step down converter thread.

I have an Apple IIc which I acquired 10 years ago. I haven't been able to power it up due to the standard power pack being a US 110v 60Hz

Specs are: Input 120V 60Hz 25W Output 15Vcc 1.2Amps 18W

My question is, how will the converter deal with the frequency required being 60 Hz? Does it matter in this case?

Also. are the units sold on TradeMe reliable? (i.e. https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/other-electronics/adaptors-chargers/listing-2602017916.htm?rsqid=e1d394dbcc4040e1ad42b697aba3e817-002)

Thanks

Bung

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#2472590 28-Apr-2020 10:00

The Apple psu outputs 15vdc, why not replace it with another without faffing around with stepdown? Apparently other voltages are accepted.

https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/13319/how-can-i-make-an-external-psu-for-an-apple-iic

Rikkitic

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#2472594 28-Apr-2020 10:03

Why mess with that? Any modern PSU with the right voltage and current output will work straight off our mains power. The only issue might be a compatible connector, but you could probably source a spare cable and cannibalise that. Here is a random one from Amazon that would do the trick. There will be many others.

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KellyP

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#2473188 29-Apr-2020 10:34

Thanks for the replies - yes that's definitely the best option. I'll look into it!

RunningMan

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#2473209 29-Apr-2020 10:58

James Bond:[snip] Output 15Vcc 1.2Amps 18W

First thing is to confirm if that is AC or DC. It won't be CC. If it's DC, then as above, just grab an off the shelf power pack that meets the specs. If it's AC, then the downstream circuit is also expecting an AC signal. It's probably OK with a frequency mismatch but would pay to do further checking first.

Bung

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#2473249 29-Apr-2020 11:55

I think the link I posted referenced an Apple manual that put the input voltage range from 9 - 20vdc so it doesn't have to be exactly 15. If you had a 12vdc 1.5a or an 18vdc 1a for example they probably would work.

neb

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#2473363 29-Apr-2020 14:26

Firstly, are you sure it's only 110V? Apple have famously always used switchmode supplies, starting with the Apple II in the 1970s, so you'd expect them to be universal-voltage.

Failing that, they're readily available online.

Finally, it looks like it has a built-in DC/DC converter so you can use any power supply in the 9-20V range. A standard laptop PSU should be fine.

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gregmcc

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#2473439 29-Apr-2020 15:51

Try this

https://www.tsltransformers.co.nz/product/product-122/

very expensive, you may be able to use a lower power one that more closely suits your needs.

there are some conversions to make it work on 230V, but do so at your own risk

http://www.apple2faq.com/knowledgebase/convert-us-power-supply-220v