Some C64 Questions?

[Super TWiT]

I know this isn't a c64 forum, but hey that's why this in general chat:)  Anyway, I just got a commodore c64 off of ebay (working in picture at least).  It appears to be pretty old (not a newer revision) and at this point sits happily with my amiga 500 under my bed... I can't hook it to the tv at the moment, will buy one of those composite to f-jack things to plug in the back of the c64. I did at least plug it in and the power led came on, and the datasette drive that came with it does indeed work when plugged in. However, I have the dreaded original black power supply. I have heard that when these things die, they often times spew extra voltage on the 5 volt line! How common is that?
 
Secondly, I have heard that some people recommend heat sinking the pla chip. Is that really necessary? I mean how much heat does it put out anyway?

 By the way, can anyone recommend a good c64 forum site?

[Super TWiT]

Thanks for responding! Didn't think I would get a response for awhile in the general chat area! Anyway, I am not sure, but I was thinking that the black power supply was the original. I can't hook it up to my tv directly because of two reasons:

1. I don't have the switch box (even if I did, it connected via spades not present on my tv) or cables (so the nice composite outputs available from the DIN port are unavailable:()

2.The built in rf modulator connects via a phono jack, (this was meant to be plugged into the switch box). It will work when plugged into the coxial port on the tv, but I need to have that adapter. (Will stop by radioshack and get one soon)

By the way, lemon64 looks like a great forum.

[Super TWiT]

Yeah, I saw that forum too, looks a little sketchy... Anyway, I thought about making the cable, but where would I get the din connector? I don't have scart but composite since I'm in the states, but I think that there is a composite version you can make too. I read here that you should build a "protector circuit" for your c64 to keep it from dying should the power supply fail and there is an over current on the 5 volt line. Now, I'm no electronics wizz, but can't you just solder a fuse in place to protect it?