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220V to 240V for 1541 / 1570

Project: Modify drive for 240V operation.
Target : 1541 (not 1541-II), 1570
Time   : 20 min.
Cost   : 0. Zero. Null. Nada. Zilch. Nothing.
Use    : - Reduce/avoid read errors
         - Enhance drive's lifetime

Summary

Connect the input line to the remaining input of the transformer.

Details

The transformer of very many 220V-1541s and 220V-1570s is prepared for 240V operation. You just have to resolder the drives voltage input line to the 240V line of the transformer.
This can greatly reduce the heat generated, which is very often the cause of read errors. Above that, it enhances your drive's lifetime, since the European mains voltage has changed to 230V in 1989.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pull off all cables and open case.
  2. Remove the printed circuit board.
  3. Now you will see the transformer, the fuse holder and the power jack. There are four wires leading from the transformer to a plug which connects to the PCB. The remaining three wires belong to the input of the transformer; one of them should be soldered to the power jack, one to the fuse holder and one unconnected.
    If you have an ohmmeter, proceed as follows: Move the power switch to the ON position (the drive should stay unplugged) and measure the resistance between the two outer pins of the power jack and write it down. Then measure the resistance be- tween the unconnected wire and each of the other two wires (one going to fuse holder, the other to power jack). When the measured resistance is slightly above the value you wrote down, you have found the wire which has to be unsoldered and where you have to solder the yet unconnected wire. If the re- sistance is way below the value you wrote down, you found the wire which you should not touch :-)

    If you have no access to an ohmmeter, unsolder the red wire connected to the fuse holder and solder the black wire to it instead. It is very likely that this is correct (at least this applies to all my floppy drives), if it is not, replace the fuse you have blown, resolder the old wire to the fuse holder and replace the wire you did not touch yet with the unconnected one.

  4. Re-install the circuit board; close the case, but do not tighten the screws yet.
  5. Plug in power cord. CAUTION! Do not open the case until you pulled off the power cord again!
  6. Switch the drive on and see if it works. If it does, turn it off and tighten the screws.

Possible failures


Updated: October 9th, 1997
Created: February 4th, 1997
Status : Verified on October 9th, 1997

Site copyright © 1997 by Marc-Jano Knopp
This document is part of MJK's Commodore 64 & LCD Page
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