PD-64 C64 PSU: A Compact USB PD Replacement for the Commodore 64 Power Supply
By
IronWolve
A second-rack bagel that's nearly first-rack. Tasty stuff.
Summary
Side Project's Lab introduces the PD-64 C64 PSU, a compact USB Power Delivery replacement for the original Commodore 64 power supply unit. The video explains why the original C64 brick PSU is problematic for modern owners, and demonstrates how the PD-64 provides the necessary 5V DC and isolated 9V AC voltages (the latter being critical for the C64's internal time-of-day clock) in a small form factor with built-in safeguards, eliminating the need for the bulky original transformer-based unit.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe Commodore 64 needs two separate feeds: 5V DC and 9V AC at 50 or 60 Hz.
That AC line matters, since the C64 uses its frequency for the internal time-of-day clock.
Older PSU designs rely on a transformer to create the 9V AC line.
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