Converting AIIGS PSU from 115V to 230V. Is it possible???

[BEU]

[SIZE=medium]Recently I bought an Apple IIGS from US. I live in Europe and want to convert the power supply from 115 volts to 230 volts if its possible. The PSU is Astec model AA13581 , Apple no 699-0126. There is no switch inside the PSU for different voltage.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Has anybody managed in converting this PSU to 230 volts?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I have not found any scheme for this PSU on the internet. Picture of the PSU below.[/SIZE]

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[Macdrone]

Not sure but an Apple II power supply has a switch to do it and they are interchangeable it might be possible.

 

[Elfen]

That is strange. Most Apple II PSUs have a wire jumper inside to switch from 115 to 230 VAC if it does not have an external switch to do the 115/230 switch with, this has nothing! Later on Apple IIGS and Mac PSUs switched automatically, but this one does not seem to do that!

This a First Gen/Version IIGS? That seems to be the case here. You should be able to an updated PSU for it.

 

[MidnightCommando]

Looking at the board picture you posted, I believe it is indeed possible, but you'd probably need to replace a few parts, including the smaller of the two E-I transformers.

Without the thing in front of me, I can't determine that completely though, so caveat lector, and undertake any modifications in consultation with someone grounded (ha!) in mains appliance work.
 

If you can find a TV or Hi-Fi repairman to talk to, that might be worth the consultation fee.

Edit: possibly also the bigger of the transformers, I think. Derp.

 

[olePigeon]

Would it not be easier to just get a Euro IIgs power supply?

 

[NJRoadfan]

230VAC Apple IIgs machines aren't exactly all that common. One option would be to gut the power supply and put in a higher wattage switching power supply. The stock unit isn't all that powerful.

 

[Bunsen]

^ I agree.

IMO, modifying mains voltage power supplies, unless you know precisely what you're doing, is a bad idea.  Better to simply replace the whole power supply with a known working one that fits in the same cavity and has the output voltages & currents you need.

The IIGS PS is physically large, so there is plenty of space in there for a better, stronger modern power supply.  An ATX power supply from a cast off PC, for example*.  Keep the IIGS one aside for restoration or conversion another day, or to put back in if you ever want to sell your machine as "stock" configuration.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321021668762 is an easy option (though postage makes it not cheap).  With a bit of research you can probably knock up an ATX-IIGS adapter yourself fairly easily.  Or find an industrial PS with the necessaries* and wire that in.

* IIRC, the IIGS has a -5V line which is not commonly supplied on newer ATX system.  A negative voltage regulator (a cheap part) can tap that off a -12V line.

 

[Bunsen]

001 GS Motherboard power connector.

  _ 
 |  | 
 |7|  -5V             0.25 A 
 |6| -12V             0.25 A 
 |5| +12V             1.0 A 
 |4|  +5V             4.0 A 
 |3|  No connection 
 |2|  GND 
 |1|  GND 
 |_| 

The pins are numbered as above when you are sitting in front of the 
computer, i.e. 7 is closest to the back of the motherboard.

 

[Bunsen]

Drat, I can't get the font tag to stick.  That is supposed to be equal spaced ASCII showing you the pinout of the motherboard power connector.

Original is here - ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple%20II%20pinout.txt

 

[BEU]

Thank You Bunsen and all others for very good advice. You are right, its maybe dangerous to rebuild the high voltage components in the PSU. And maybe very complicated.

In fact I have a working PSU at home from a computer thats destroyed. Its lacking the - 5 volt but I will build a voltage regulator with a 7905 regulator  .

So I will keep the original 115 Volt PSU. 

Thank You all for help with this problem. I will report later.

 

[BEU]

Final report concerning the PSU for A IIGS and 230 V.

The original PSU (115V) is left in place. I had an old ATX PSU that was rebuilt according to Your suggestions. A negative voltage regulator was added inside the PSU  ( http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/datasheet/CD00000450.pdf)  converting - 12V to -5 V. The ATX connector was modified to fit the AIIGS connector. The new PSU is outside the AIIGS .

It working perfect, and the original PSU is left without modification.

Thank You all for advice.

 

[uniserver]

another thing to consider is Mac LC power supply,  and those are automatic auto-ranging.

I'v done this 2 times already, once with an apple IIe and once with a IIgs.

here is the thing though,  as NJ has already stated, the current psu is kinda weak, well this one is even less.

as long as you are aware of your power should be fine.

The Re-Capped LC psu worked great in my apple IIe

128k / 80 column card installed.  Apple Disk II card,  a floppy drive.

The IIgs had 1.25 megs of ram and an 800k floppy hooked up, worked good.

Using the LC PSU I wouldn't load up the case with fancy cards,   However, lots of these newer cards you can get 

like iDisk and Network cards etc they are made with newer lower power tech anyways.

PS:

i sent a couple LC PSU's to COSMO a while back, I think he has already converted some apple's as well.