Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Jonathan Yuen]

Hello,

That should work, something similar to that works for me.  I noticed the USB 
power thing I'm using now gives 5.5 volts unloaded, didn't measure it with a 
load on it.  Not sure of the current, either, but a lot of the usb power 
supplies give more than the stock 500 ma that is the USB standard.

jonathan.y...@mykopat.slu.se

Från: M100 [m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com] för Jan Vanden Bossche 
[jan80...@yahoo.com]
Skickat: den 30 december 2017 12:13
Till: m...@bitchin100.com
Ämne: Re: [M100] USB Power cord

OK.

So, a normal USB smartphone adapter (1000 mA) is fine, hooking the Model T up 
to a PC with a standard USB port (500 mA) probably is not.

Indeed, you need to take into account serial communication, wich draws a lot of 
current, apparently.

Now, how do I go about making such a cable?
I get a compatible (right angle?) plug from an electronics shop.
And I just cut up a USB cable and connect the red wire (+5V) to the external 
plug and the black (gnd) to the internal pin?

pin and color layout of a USB-connection:
https://www.moddiy.com/product_images/uploaded_images/patillaje-conector-usb.jpg

Correct ? Or is that an over-simplification? (I am an electronic blank)

Greetings from the TyRannoSaurus
Jan-80



From: Brian White <bw.al...@gmail.com>
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Sent: Thursday, 28 December 2017, 23:54
Subject: Re: [M100] USB Power cord

I think the specs say 400ma (at 6v, 5v would draw more current to compensate 
for the lower voltage) it will draw different amounts of power depending on 
lots of things.
* is it currently trying to charge a dead internal batt?
* is it currently running software that uses both cpu and ram as much as 
possible?
* is it currently powering the barcode light?
* is it currently outputting rs232 or parallel or modem traffic, or all at the 
same time?
* is it currently outputting cassette audio and holding down the cassette 
remote relay?
* does it have all possible ram chip locations populated and an option rom 
installed?
* is here a peripheral drawing any power from the system bus connector?
* is the ambient temperature hot or cold?
etc...

You have to allow for the worst possible case and then be a good 25% above that 
at least, AND, all current values go up a little if you are feeding 5v instead 
of 6v.

A common 1000ma usb charger should still be generously safe, but with 5v, 500ma 
or less is probably getting into territory where it just works most of the time 
by luck because most of the time is not the worst possible case.
On the other hand, if you do exceed a too-weak charger, all it hurts is the 
charger, aside from interrupting whatever you were doing at the time.



On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 2:53 PM, Josh Malone 
<josh.mal...@gmail.com<mailto:josh.mal...@gmail.com>> wrote:
My 102 measures <70 mA

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Francesco Messineo
<francesco.messi...@gmail.com<mailto:francesco.messi...@gmail.com>> wrote:
> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Jan Vanden Bossche 
> <jan80...@yahoo.com<mailto:jan80...@yahoo.com>> wrote:
>> What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
>
> I'm not sure about these, but my Olivetti M10 (roughly similar to the
> M100) works fine with an old telephone charger rated at 300 mA (5V).
>
> Frank

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Josh Malone]

Excellent find! Thank you.

On Fri, Dec 29, 2017 at 9:03 AM, Brian White  wrote:
> There are pre-made polarity reverser cables that have male and female ends,
> and righ-angle. They seem to be marketed for guitar effects pedals. I found
> them to get an off-the-shelf way to power a Model 600.
> The ones I got had red plugs but here is a different one
> http://ebay.com/itm//232510759498
>
> Or search "polarity reverse 2.1" in google or ebay to find others. Any that
> say 5.5 x 2.1 fit.
>
> It's not ideal of course, but neither is using a usb charger in the first
> place.

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Brian White]

There are pre-made polarity reverser cables that have male and female ends,
and righ-angle. They seem to be marketed for guitar effects pedals. I found
them to get an off-the-shelf way to power a Model 600.
The ones I got had red plugs but here is a different one
http://ebay.com/itm//232510759498

Or search "polarity reverse 2.1" in google or ebay to find others. Any that
say 5.5 x 2.1 fit.

It's not ideal of course, but neither is using a usb charger in the first
place.

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 12:45 PM, Mike Stein <mhs.st...@gmail.com> wrote:

> We had a lengthy discussion about this almost exactly 2 years ago. IIRC
> the bottom line was that the M100 would run happily on 5V without step-up
> conversion but whether you used a plain cable or a step-up adapter the
> problem was finding one with a center negative.
>
> I think John H found one but I don't know if you could easily find one
> today; probably easier to just cut, reverse and resplice a center positive
> cable.
>
> m
>
> - Original Message -
> *From:* Kurt McCullum <kurt.mccul...@att.net>
> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 27, 2017 8:29 AM
> *Subject:* [M100] USB Power cord
>
> Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center
> negative with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time
> back but I thought I’d check. I have not seen one lately.
>
>
>
> Kurt
>
>

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Mike Stein]

We had a lengthy discussion about this almost exactly 2 years ago. IIRC the 
bottom line was that the M100 would run happily on 5V without step-up 
conversion but whether you used a plain cable or a step-up adapter the problem 
was finding one with a center negative.

I think John H found one but I don't know if you could easily find one today; 
probably easier to just cut, reverse and resplice a center positive cable.

m
  - Original Message - 
  From: Kurt McCullum 
  To: m...@bitchin100.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2017 8:29 AM
  Subject: [M100] USB Power cord


  Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center 
negative with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time back 
but I thought I'd check. I have not seen one lately.

   

  Kurt

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Josh Malone]

My 65mA test results had the system running a BASIC application that
accessed memory and printed to the LCD. I don't think the CPU changes
power states on the M102. I did not have the modem active, though.

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 9:52 PM, Peter Vollan  wrote:
> When I used my model 100 to call bbses, I noticed that
> telecommunicating ran the batteries down fast.
>
> On 28 December 2017 at 14:54, Brian White  wrote:
>> I think the specs say 400ma (at 6v, 5v would draw more current to compensate
>> for the lower voltage) it will draw different amounts of power depending on
>> lots of things.
>> * is it currently trying to charge a dead internal batt?
>> * is it currently running software that uses both cpu and ram as much as
>> possible?
>> * is it currently powering the barcode light?
>> * is it currently outputting rs232 or parallel or modem traffic, or all at
>> the same time?
>> * is it currently outputting cassette audio and holding down the cassette
>> remote relay?
>> * does it have all possible ram chip locations populated and an option rom
>> installed?
>> * is here a peripheral drawing any power from the system bus connector?
>> * is the ambient temperature hot or cold?
>> etc...
>>
>> You have to allow for the worst possible case and then be a good 25% above
>> that at least, AND, all current values go up a little if you are feeding 5v
>> instead of 6v.
>>
>> A common 1000ma usb charger should still be generously safe, but with 5v,
>> 500ma or less is probably getting into territory where it just works most of
>> the time by luck because most of the time is not the worst possible case.
>> On the other hand, if you do exceed a too-weak charger, all it hurts is the
>> charger, aside from interrupting whatever you were doing at the time.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 2:53 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:
>>>
>>> My 102 measures <70 mA
>>>
>>> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Francesco Messineo
>>>  wrote:
>>> > On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Jan Vanden Bossche 
>>> > wrote:
>>> >> What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
>>> >
>>> > I'm not sure about these, but my Olivetti M10 (roughly similar to the
>>> > M100) works fine with an old telephone charger rated at 300 mA (5V).
>>> >
>>> > Frank
>>
>>

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Peter Vollan]

When I used my model 100 to call bbses, I noticed that
telecommunicating ran the batteries down fast.

On 28 December 2017 at 14:54, Brian White  wrote:
> I think the specs say 400ma (at 6v, 5v would draw more current to compensate
> for the lower voltage) it will draw different amounts of power depending on
> lots of things.
> * is it currently trying to charge a dead internal batt?
> * is it currently running software that uses both cpu and ram as much as
> possible?
> * is it currently powering the barcode light?
> * is it currently outputting rs232 or parallel or modem traffic, or all at
> the same time?
> * is it currently outputting cassette audio and holding down the cassette
> remote relay?
> * does it have all possible ram chip locations populated and an option rom
> installed?
> * is here a peripheral drawing any power from the system bus connector?
> * is the ambient temperature hot or cold?
> etc...
>
> You have to allow for the worst possible case and then be a good 25% above
> that at least, AND, all current values go up a little if you are feeding 5v
> instead of 6v.
>
> A common 1000ma usb charger should still be generously safe, but with 5v,
> 500ma or less is probably getting into territory where it just works most of
> the time by luck because most of the time is not the worst possible case.
> On the other hand, if you do exceed a too-weak charger, all it hurts is the
> charger, aside from interrupting whatever you were doing at the time.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 2:53 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:
>>
>> My 102 measures <70 mA
>>
>> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Francesco Messineo
>>  wrote:
>> > On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Jan Vanden Bossche 
>> > wrote:
>> >> What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
>> >
>> > I'm not sure about these, but my Olivetti M10 (roughly similar to the
>> > M100) works fine with an old telephone charger rated at 300 mA (5V).
>> >
>> > Frank
>
>

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Brian White]

I think the specs say 400ma (at 6v, 5v would draw more current to
compensate for the lower voltage) it will draw different amounts of power
depending on lots of things.
* is it currently trying to charge a dead internal batt?
* is it currently running software that uses both cpu and ram as much as
possible?
* is it currently powering the barcode light?
* is it currently outputting rs232 or parallel or modem traffic, or all at
the same time?
* is it currently outputting cassette audio and holding down the cassette
remote relay?
* does it have all possible ram chip locations populated and an option rom
installed?
* is here a peripheral drawing any power from the system bus connector?
* is the ambient temperature hot or cold?
etc...

You have to allow for the worst possible case and then be a good 25% above
that at least, AND, all current values go up a little if you are feeding 5v
instead of 6v.

A common 1000ma usb charger should still be generously safe, but with 5v,
500ma or less is probably getting into territory where it just works most
of the time by luck because most of the time is not the worst possible case.
On the other hand, if you do exceed a too-weak charger, all it hurts is the
charger, aside from interrupting whatever you were doing at the time.



On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 2:53 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:

> My 102 measures <70 mA
>
> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Francesco Messineo
>  wrote:
> > On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Jan Vanden Bossche 
> wrote:
> >> What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
> >
> > I'm not sure about these, but my Olivetti M10 (roughly similar to the
> > M100) works fine with an old telephone charger rated at 300 mA (5V).
> >
> > Frank
>

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Josh Malone]

My 102 measures <70 mA

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Francesco Messineo
 wrote:
> On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Jan Vanden Bossche  
> wrote:
>> What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
>
> I'm not sure about these, but my Olivetti M10 (roughly similar to the
> M100) works fine with an old telephone charger rated at 300 mA (5V).
>
> Frank

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Jan Vanden Bossche]

What amps does a Model 100/102/200 need ?
A USB-port on a computer gives 500 mA max.The charger for my smartphone gives 1 
AThe charger for my tablet gives 2 A
The charger for my Raspberry Pi3 gives 2.2 A

What do I need, what can I use ?
Of course, the possibility to use a Model T with a standard (kinda) USB charger 
increases its portability. Greetings from the TyRannoSaurus
Jan-80

  From: Kurt McCullum <kurt.mccul...@att.net>
 To: m...@bitchin100.com 
 Sent: Thursday, 28 December 2017, 14:07
 Subject: Re: [M100] USB Power cord
   
Thanks everyone. Good to know I can just make one.

Kurt

-Original Message-
From: M100 [mailto:m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com] On Behalf Of Jim Anderson
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2017 9:59 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] USB Power cord

> -Original Message-
> 
> Based on what I've seen of the M102 at least, I don't think there's 
> any reason it needs a true 6v supply. Mine functions just fine at 5v.

I found the same thing with the M100 and T200 - the low battery indicator 
doesn't come on until the voltage from the AA cells is below 4.8V so one day I 
figured I'd try cutting the USB cable off a dead mouse at work and putting a 
barrel plug on the end.  I've been using it off and on for months - seems to 
work great.  (Caveats - it would be nicer if I had a 90-degree barrel plug like 
the original Tandy power supply has, and of course if you unplug the cord from 
USB without also disconnecting it from the barrel socket you'll be running on 
your memory backup nicd/supercap until you notice)

It's amusing - people I show the machine to at work are amazed that it runs so 
long on AA cells, but for some reason it hits much closer to home when they see 
it being powered by a tiny phone charger cube.  "That whole computer will run 
off THAT?"  Yes, with plenty to spare.  Imagine how long an M100 would run if 
it had an ipad's battery...







        jim


   

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Kurt McCullum]

Thanks everyone. Good to know I can just make one.

Kurt

-Original Message-
From: M100 [mailto:m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com] On Behalf Of Jim Anderson
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2017 9:59 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] USB Power cord

> -Original Message-
> 
> Based on what I've seen of the M102 at least, I don't think there's 
> any reason it needs a true 6v supply. Mine functions just fine at 5v.

I found the same thing with the M100 and T200 - the low battery indicator 
doesn't come on until the voltage from the AA cells is below 4.8V so one day I 
figured I'd try cutting the USB cable off a dead mouse at work and putting a 
barrel plug on the end.  I've been using it off and on for months - seems to 
work great.  (Caveats - it would be nicer if I had a 90-degree barrel plug like 
the original Tandy power supply has, and of course if you unplug the cord from 
USB without also disconnecting it from the barrel socket you'll be running on 
your memory backup nicd/supercap until you notice)

It's amusing - people I show the machine to at work are amazed that it runs so 
long on AA cells, but for some reason it hits much closer to home when they see 
it being powered by a tiny phone charger cube.  "That whole computer will run 
off THAT?"  Yes, with plenty to spare.  Imagine how long an M100 would run if 
it had an ipad's battery...







jim

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Jim Anderson]

> -Original Message-
> 
> Based on what I've seen of the M102 at least, I don't think there's
> any reason it needs a true 6v supply. Mine functions just fine at 5v.

I found the same thing with the M100 and T200 - the low battery indicator 
doesn't come on until the voltage from the AA cells is below 4.8V so one day I 
figured I'd try cutting the USB cable off a dead mouse at work and putting a 
barrel plug on the end.  I've been using it off and on for months - seems to 
work great.  (Caveats - it would be nicer if I had a 90-degree barrel plug like 
the original Tandy power supply has, and of course if you unplug the cord from 
USB without also disconnecting it from the barrel socket you'll be running on 
your memory backup nicd/supercap until you notice)

It's amusing - people I show the machine to at work are amazed that it runs so 
long on AA cells, but for some reason it hits much closer to home when they see 
it being powered by a tiny phone charger cube.  "That whole computer will run 
off THAT?"  Yes, with plenty to spare.  Imagine how long an M100 would run if 
it had an ipad's battery...







jim

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Jonathan Yuen]

Hello,

I made one with a usb connector on one end and the right barrel thing on the 
other, and it powers my M100 without any step-up power.

Jonathan

jonathan.y...@mykopat.slu.se

Från: M100 [m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com] för Kurt McCullum 
[kurt.mccul...@att.net]
Skickat: den 27 december 2017 14:29
Till: m...@bitchin100.com
Ämne: [M100] USB Power cord

Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center negative 
with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time back but I 
thought I’d check. I have not seen one lately.

Kurt

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Tom Hoppe]

I bought this one back in January 2016 and I know that it works great with
my M100:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H01VGTQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8=1

Unfortunately this specific one is no longer available, but there may be
others that are similar. I remember there being a polarity changing adapter
that was not needed.

Tom


Sent from my iPad

On Dec 27, 2017, at 5:29 AM, Kurt McCullum  wrote:

Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center
negative with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time
back but I thought I’d check. I have not seen one lately.



Kurt

Re: [M100] USB Power cord

[Josh Malone]

Based on what I've seen of the M102 at least, I don't think there's
any reason it needs a true 6v supply. Mine functions just fine at 5v.

-Josh

On Wed, Dec 27, 2017 at 8:29 AM, Kurt McCullum  wrote:
> Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center
> negative with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time back
> but I thought I’d check. I have not seen one lately.
>
>
>
> Kurt

[M100] USB Power cord

[Kurt McCullum]

Does a USB step up power cord still exist that will provide 6v center
negative with the proper plug? I know there was one available some time back
but I thought I'd check. I have not seen one lately.

 

Kurt