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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: k4lmp on February 16, 2013, 08:54:36 PM

Title: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: k4lmp on February 16, 2013, 08:54:36 PM

Anyone ever think about trying to build an expansion board, that would plug on the side of the A500, like the Bodega Bay?  You could make it bare bones, so it could be put in an enclosure of your choosing, and use, say, an ATX power supply onboard, so it doesn't pull power from the A500.  There are a lot of people on various boards that still build stuff for Amigas, I wonder if there was enough interest, if anyone would be willing to try?  I for one would be interested.  There are a ton of A500s still being used, so I think there would be a demand.  Anyone have any ideas, or would this even be possible?

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: Heiroglyph on February 16, 2013, 09:33:24 PM

IMHO, A2000's go for nothing these days, so I'm not sure how much call there really is for one.

I'd rather have a nice CPU for a 2000 personally.  060's for them are very rare.

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: Ral-Clan on February 16, 2013, 09:42:22 PM

I'm pretty sure I've seen an expansion board like this on some old Amiga hardware museum site.  If not, I'm sure it has at least been attempted by homebrew electronics project people.

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: k4lmp on February 17, 2013, 03:02:52 AM

Quote from: Heiroglyph;726611

IMHO, A2000's go for nothing these days, so I'm not sure how much call there really is for one.

I'd rather have a nice CPU for a 2000 personally.  060's for them are very rare.

I agree, and I have 2 A2000Hds.  I still think it would be nice to be able to expand the A500.  I know there are several people who make custom memory expansions and such for the A500, and I am sure it could be done.  It is beyond my capabilities :) but there are a lot of smart people in the Amiga community that have the know how to do it.

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: Heiroglyph on February 17, 2013, 03:40:25 AM

I'm all for expanding the 500, but I think internal would be cooler than turning it into a 2000.

Put an 060 with RAM, Indivision ECS and fast storage into a 500 and I'm all ears.

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: Ral-Clan on February 17, 2013, 04:20:43 AM

The A2000 is the solution, yes.  But the A500 with its wedge shape just looks so cool nowadays.  I agree, A500 with internal expansions just looks great on a desktop.  This has only become possible lately with smaller components, etc.  In the old days the "desk sprawl" of the A500 was not as attractive!

Title: Re: Build a Bodega Bay Type Expansion
Post by: Heiroglyph on February 17, 2013, 08:31:10 AM

I seem to remember quite a few Zorro II for A500 plans on Aminet.

What the Bodega Bay had going for it was that it was complete and had a professionally designed case, the actual hardware isn't that hard to make.