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+--- Thread: Question about Microbee power supplies (/thread-350.html)
Question about Microbee power supplies - CheshireNoir - 20-07-2021
Hi All,
I'm going to start building a new power supply for my new Microbee (A Series 2 "Personal Communicator". I am seeing varying notes on the voltages, and want to make sure I get the right one. I see most sources quoting a voltage of 12V. I see some sources quoting 10V and saying 12V runs "too hot".
Now, if I have a 9V regulated PSU (With plenty of overhead in the Amps), can I use that? 10V are available but at a much higher price. Are 12V going to make my system run hotter than usual?
Cheers and thanks in advance!
Chesh
RE: Question about Microbee power supplies - ChickenMan - 20-07-2021
Microbee original power supplies were 12v and yes the voltage regs got very hot indeed with no/little ventilation. Later units were supplied with 10v supplies. I personally use a 10v Compaq Laptop power supply after changing the end plug. I also use a PS2 8.5v power supply that puts out about 8.8v and both work well for everything I have and nothing gets hot. So I dont think you will have problems with your 9v supply.
RE: Question about Microbee power supplies - someone - 21-07-2021
##SAFETY FIRST!##
Scan your microbee PCBs and read the voltage ratings on the Tag Tantalum capacitors.
+12 Volts applied to your bee could cause some of its Tantalum capacitors to glow, burst into flames, launch a fireball, make a horrible smell and make a fizzing noise.
As for the voltage you should use, it is determined by the voltage divider network on the reset circuit on the coreboard.
9 Volts seems about a reliable minimum.
The input voltage does not need to be regulated but needs to be reasonably below the VW (voltage working) specification of the capacitors attached to the voltage input.