Can I use a VIC 20 adapter with a c64?

[keoni29]

I just bought a c64, but they gave me the wrong adapter: a vic 20. Is doesn't fit in the c64, but I wonder if the juice coming out of it is suitable for a c64.

[zylon]

no.

[keoni29]

Don't they both output 5V?

[unholy]

From the Denial Wiki:

 

"The power supply of the revision C is similar to the one supplied with the Commodore 64 and uses exactly the same type of connector with same pinout assingment. However, the VIC-20 model is rated for less power so it is not recommended to use a power supply from a VIC on a 64.

 

People who accidentally or intentionally powered their 64 with the power supply of a VIC-20 revision C often damaged their 64 when the 5V regulator in the power supply failed and output excessive voltage resulting in damage to the 64's CMOS DRAM chips."

[keoni29]

Okay, I'll just have to find one (I already found one on the web, but it's brown as sh!t) Maybe I just build one myself. How hard can it be?

[31336haxx0r]

I can't remember anymore, does the C-64 really need +5 V and 9 VAC or is the AC signal rectified to yield +12 V? If the latter is the case, you could use any brick PSU or wallwart that outputs +5 V and +12 V. Like those for USB hard disks and stuff.

[unholy]

The 9VAC input is used for a number of things:

• to power the Datasette via the User Port
  
• to create +12V, +9V, and additional +5V
  
• to provide 50/60Hz signal for the TOD clock.
  

That's for the original (breadbin) model. I understand there are some differences in how C64C handles things. In any case, it's not impossible to modify a C64 to run off +5/+12VDC (from an ATX PSU, for instance), but it is a lot of hassle.