If you use an AC adapter with more amps (like 2), you can run the printer without the batteries.
On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 7:35 PM Philip Avery <pav...@xtra.co.nz> wrote: > > Wow - all this Pocket Computer activity. > > One thing I encountered when replacing the Ni-Cd batteries in the > cassette/printer for my PC-2, was the printer requires these batteries to be > present even if the unit is operated on mains power. It uses the batteries as > a current sink, the mains unit can't provide peak requirements. > > Reminds me to get my PC-2 and printer out for its yearly run-up. I always > marvel at the small-print these things are capable of. > > Philip > > On 9/08/2018 7:41 AM, Jim Toth wrote: > > My PC-2 and CGP-115 do deserve medical grade printer pens. Nothing but the > best. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Brian White > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2018 12:57 PM > Subject: Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer > > You can get new pens, as in actually new, not new old stock, from a german > medical supplies company, and you can get new motor pinion gears by 3d > printing believe it or not. I have also found the gear in brass, from a r/c > helicopter company, but those appear to be no longer manufactured, just > existing stock. > > The pens and gears are the same as for the CGP-115 and a bunch of other > plotters that all used the same engine. The paper size is different though. > > http://tandy.wiki/CGP-115 > > > > On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 10:08 PM Jim Toth <jt...@localnet.com> wrote: >> >> You can still purchase PC-2 printer pens? Excellent. Where? >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Ron Lauzon" <rlau...@gmail.com> >> To: <m...@bitchin100.com> >> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2018 9:46 PM >> Subject: Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >> >> >> My PC-4 was my constant companion through college and into my first >> job. I picked up a PC-2 at the Tandy Corporate auction and got bit by >> the pocket computer bug. >> >> What I've put together is this: >> + PC-1 - usually had bad screens over time. >> + PC-2 - frequently people left the AA batteries in them when they >> stopped using them. The batteries leaked. So always check the >> battery compartment before buying one. Leaky batteries can cause a >> great deal of damage. >> The printer/cassette interface is where the flaws are. The printer >> gears tended to wear out. Also the rechargeable battery packs are >> shot by now and are leaking. >> There are some people who refurbish the printers (new batteries and >> new gears), but they will be more expensive. Surprisingly, you can >> still purchase the pens. >> + PC-3 - Not much that I know of. I only have 1 in my collection and >> it has no problems. The printer even works. >> + PC-4 - No problems with the pocket computer itself that I know of. >> The printer batteries are shot by now. Usually they don't leak, but >> the batteries are not meant to be replaced. But with some work, the >> printers can be made to work with an AC-adapter. >> >> On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 8:01 PM megarat <mega...@yahoo.com> wrote: >> > >> > Hey folks, a recent thread here highlighted my interest in the old >> > TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computers (rebadged from existing Casio and Sharp >> > models). I always had a fascination with these things as a kid, and I was >> > lucky enough to own one of them for a while (a PC-5), so I'm entertaining >> > the possibility of hunting some of them down. >> > >> > I'm concerned, however, with how well these models age. Specifically the >> > electrolytics (and how easy are they to replace?), the LCD display (do >> > they have a tendency to fade/bleed?), and the keypad (do those little >> > chicklet keyboards still hold up years later?). >> > >> > Are there any PC collectors on this list that can offer me some >> > advice/guidance? Thanks. >> > >> > /CAM >> >> >> >> -- >> Ron Lauzon - rlauzon at acm dot org >> Homepage: http://webpages.charter.net/rlauzon/ >> Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/ >> >> TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model 100/102 >> Some people like to work on old cars. But old computers are cheaper >> and don't require a big garage. >> > > > -- > bkw > > -- Ron Lauzon - rlauzon at acm dot org Homepage: http://webpages.charter.net/rlauzon/ Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/ TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model 100/102 Some people like to work on old cars. But old computers are cheaper and don't require a big garage.
