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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: bradhansen1 on August 14, 2021, 07:30:09 PM
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Hi all, just ordered an A1200 but with no Power Supply. I have an A500 Power Supply.
Can I connect it to my new A1200?
Thanks for all the info...
Brad Hansen
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Yes. absolutely. But beware of the fact that the old PSU can be faulty due to its age and therefore is unsafe to use. Better test the voltages before.
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Depending on the PSU it might deliver a bit more power than a 1200 one so might mean you have a more stable system if you install expansions.
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My A1200 came with an A500 power supply and I was told it was because the A1200 PSU were a bit underpowered.
As others mentioned you'll want to check the thing out thoroughly because of it's age. Especially to check the capacitors.
If you have any expansions on it you'll need something more than even the A500 can provide.
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In 1994 I tried to install a 3.5" IDE hard drive on my A1200 and it point blank refused to work with the original power supply. It was Gordon Harwood that suggested I get a 'HEAVY' A500 brick and not the lightweight one. Great advice and she is still running today. I make sure all my 1200s have the heavy A500 brick.
https://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/scuzzblog_august17/scuzzblogdaugust17_1403x.htm
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There were several models with 5V amperage around 2.5 to 4 A. something like this would be ideal: https://www.c64psu.com/c64psu/56-1408-commodore-amiga-a500-a500-a600-a1200-psu.html
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I hear about heavy A500 PSUs and light A1200 ones but my A500 plus had a lightweight PSU and the A1200 one weighed a load more. I sold the A1200 one on eBay and just dug out a photo. It was labelled A600 and had a 3 amp 5v line. This was in a 1993 Desktop Dynamite pack.
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There were several different models back in the days, a (german) overview can be found here:
http://amigawiki.org/doku.php?id=de:models:power_supply_external
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Back then when the A1200 came out my friend switched immediately to his old A500 heavier. The New that came along stayed in it's bag. This was in Finland.
Now with two modified PC PSU:s but with PIV,Apollo060,HD,CD, etc. Other Only for games, 020 "turbo" with 8Mb,HD,extradd.
The looks are terrible and maybe the noise. Poor PSU Amiga wires are cut that can only been seen if psu a bit hidden with still good airflow.
Newer solution if wanted to add anything later. Usually allways do and they are in production still when looking at the two mags that come.
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Thought you may like to see this video. Actually happened whilst I was making the video of the power supply.
https://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/scuzzblog_january20_1/v/car_sbd_010120_36v.mp4
https://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/scuzzblog_january20/scuzzblogdjanuary20_0101.htm
Some of the lighter weight PSU units were filled with resin and that is why they are heavier.
Most of the PSU units for the A590 are heavy weight also. I have a dozen or so Amiga 1200/500/600s running here each day and they all use the heavy bricks. I haven't used a lightweight original A1200 PSU since around 1994.
You can always tell if a PSU is on the way out. If you switch on whilst the unit is not connected to the Amiga, just listen out for a dull heavy thump. The discs in one of the caps are getting closer and when they touch the above happens as in the video.