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?

[Franko]

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?

You could have a look a this site...

http://www.lemon64.com/forum/

I went through 14 C64s in the space of two years, but it was nothing to do with the PSU, it's was down to me trying to hook things up to the ports that I shouldn't have...

I don't ever recall seeing a black PSU on the C64 (even way back in 82), just wondering why you can't hook it straight up to your TV...

[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.

[Franko]

There are a lot more C64 forums out there, but that one looks like it's still being used regularly.

If your TV has a SCART socket you could easily make up a cable and use the composite signal that way, much better picture than using the RF...

[Franko]

Here's another C64 Forum, don't know how good it is, haven't had time to check it out properly yet...

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/forums/

[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?

[Franko]

It depends which output your C64 has there were two version a 5 pin DIN & an 8 pin DIN. The 5 pin version only give out a Composite signal, while the 8 pin version gives out both Composite & SVideo.

You can easily buy 5 & 8 pin din connectors here in the UK and I'm pretty sure you'd be able to find them online in the USA.

I've never had a power supply problem with any of my C64s, even the one I still use today is from 1985 and still runs perfectly. So personally I don't see the need for any sort of power protection.

Your right about that other site on closer inspection it does look a bit sketchy..