Just bought an Atari 800 and came with wrong power supply, suitable replacement? (in UK)

[Tetlee]

Hi all,

 

Just received an Atari800 which I bought after deciding to upgrade my Atari400. 

 

It has two issues, the first is it came with incorrect power brick, it has one of those multipin connectors on one end which I assume means it belongs with an Atari XL. I'm using my Atari 400 power supply at the moment to test but obviously will need a suitable replacement.

 

I assume those multivoltage jobbies from the likes of Argos/Amazon would be too easy a solution to be viable for either the 400 or 800? Like this https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9829701?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=ixilqlqxt&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:534-693-8244|cid:20296143496|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:1513852656853340514|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:9045348&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20296143496&utm_term=9829701&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=534-693-8244&GPDP=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhL6pBhDjARIsAGx8D5--k1ZbT5vcl5v8K23JhhA_VJGS_PRHr5Qj-KofmwJaSuQr_na8nbUaAi5GEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

If anybody could help with that I'd really appreciate it as I've read the other threads but they're old and couldn't find any valid links to UK items.

 

Aside from this the keyboard almost entirely doesn't work, must numbers work, a couple symbols and space bar but the rest nothing. I guess with this it's safe to assume it's a membrane one(was so crossing my fingers it would be mechanical to save that nightmare) and it's knackered.

 

So yep, excitement sadly turned to disappointment pretty quickly after unboxing, I never seem to properly strike lucky with stuff like this.

 

[Beeblebrox]

@Tetlee

I use these with my 400's/800's in the UK and they are good quality, rock solid and cheap:

 

https://www.poweradaptorsuk.co.uk/2000ma-2a-9v-18va-acac-ac-output-mains-power-adaptor-162-p.asp

You also need this:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174950199535

 

 

 

 

Re the keyboard. See this thread here to save me repeating myself.

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Beeblebrox

[Tetlee]

Thanks Beeblebrox, very helpful. A friend of mine found these but suspect it's the same as what you showed there, but yours works out a little cheaper.. https://atarigiant.com/online-shop/ols/products/atari-400-ac-slash-ac-9v-power-supply

 

Will check out your keyboard link now.

[Beeblebrox]

48 minutes ago, Tetlee said:

Thanks Beeblebrox, very helpful. A friend of mine found these but suspect it's the same as what you showed there, but yours works out a little cheaper.. https://atarigiant.com/online-shop/ols/products/atari-400-ac-slash-ac-9v-power-supply

 

Will check out your keyboard link now.

Yeah, it's around a 3rd of the cost of atarigiants psu. I saw the latter on ebay and was rather surprised at how much they are charging. Generally if you look at their listings they charge quite a bit for most atari kit. (Eg £150 for a 600xl pcb, no casing or keyboard). 

 

I've bought many of the power adapter uk ones alongside the 2.1mm to 2.5mm barrel plug adapters and it's great value for money. If you buy a few of both the psu and barrel plug adapter from those suppliers it works out very well. You could get at least two, one as a backup for your 400. 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Beeblebrox

[TGB1718]

16 hours ago, Tetlee said:

 https://atarigiant.com/online-shop/ols/products/atari-400-ac-slash-ac-9v-power-supply

Just to note, they say it's for a 400, but will fit an 800 etc. however, they omit the current rating which

is as important as the voltage, it may work with an 800 or 1050, but bet it get's really hot

 

[Beeblebrox]

20 minutes ago, TGB1718 said:

Just to note, they say it's for a 400, but will fit an 800 etc. however, they omit the current rating which

is as important as the voltage,  it may work with an 800 or 1050, but bet it get's really hot 

 

"it may work with an 800 or 1050, but bet it get's really hot "

 

Did you mean 810 and 1050?

Edited October 19, 2023 by Beeblebrox

[Tetlee]

7 hours ago, TGB1718 said:

Just to note, they say it's for a 400, but will fit an 800 etc. however, they omit the current rating which

is as important as the voltage, it may work with an 800 or 1050, but bet it get's really hot

 

I ordered the one Beeblebrox suggested in the end anyway, that will go with the 400 when I sell it(sadly can't keep both). I've just finalised rejigging the retro room to accommodate the 800 so the old 400 power pack is now in use with no plans to move it(took me ages getting everything wired back up).

 

Thanks to those links @Beeblebrox it actually sounds like I did just perfect getting the Myler keyboard also, I was initially disappointed to discover it wasn't mechanical as I know some were, but ready a couple of those threads it seems the typically hated membrane is actually a good bet here assuming I can bring it back to life(I better not sing victory yet) but that will be a mission for another day. I'm in no hurry to tackle that as I will only use this for playing games so as long as the spacebar works for Defender(one of my all time favourite games) I'm content for now.

 

Cheers again for the help.

[Beeblebrox]

Great. Yup that is a great psu. Use them all the time. Great for 800 and 400 A8's as I say. Plus of course the 1200xl. 

 

So having the mitsumi mylar version 800 keyboard is a very good thing. Lovely to type on.

 

To fix the mitsumi mylar based keyboard is actually not too bad. Follow Flashjazzcat's video on the topic (which is for the 1200xl but same principal as virtually identical mitsumi mylar and pcb.) Just take it slowly. 

 

Vid here: