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Idea: Macintosh Classic III (LC550+M1420)

mg.man

Well-known member
I do like the SE/30 style AB form factor idea...
OK, so this may be a hair-brained idea... and I know many 'folk hate the LC PSUs... but seeing as the plan is to base this on a LCIII, what about using the guts of a LC PSU - since that PSU is sufficient to drive the 'board + floppy + HD, and pumps out all the needed voltages (including -12V for RS422 / LocalTalk).

A new "board" could then be designed to put the CRT circuitry onto - "SE" style. Perhaps even allowing the LC PSU to remain in its full metal jacket. Isn't the A/B single-sided - so, should be simple to layout?

(correction - CRT, not video, and no need for audio, since that's on the logic 'board already)
 

Trash80toHP_Mini

NIGHT STALKER
Actually considered going that way, Also thought about going the direction of the innovation from the folks who do the much simplified IIsi/LC verson of a PicoATX PSU, forget the name offhand.

Not fully wedded to flatplating an available PSU component below the mezzanine level though I'd like that.

By doing an SE/30 form factor board for the Classics (with the rest of the Compacts as well) I think I'm meaning something different than the words I've managed to string together so far. The thing I'm beginning to love abolut the Classic is that in no way shape of form is its Power/Cooling budget achieved anything like its forbears! :p

What I'm visualizing as an SE/30 style makeover of the Classic II A/B:

1 - clear the lining of that full metal jacket (nice 'nic) of all but video circuitry/flyback and harness/power connectors as required.
2 - adequate PCB silicon forest is clear cut to bolt a high output, Seasonic style SE/30 PSU replacement right up to the new A/B PCB?
3 - implement self-discharge bleed to everything attached, so no metal can requirement for PSU or poking around under the cap?

That ducted fan setup buried on in the Classic chassis is looking quite elegant the more I look at it from every angle in the pics I've harvested. It may be the only adequate cooling setup ever implemented on a Compact Macintosh, and no again, the CC is NOT Compact!

The engineers look to me to have pulled off the quietest, most efficient method possible for directing airflow across the components most in need of it? Are they really lined up like that? Burying the muffin and using the hot stuff like baffles in a muffler can't possibly push SE/SE/30 level decibel output through that nice big grill on the back of the bucket? Still couldn't get active cooling like that past SJ, but he was insane in the Pirate Period. Did the gang with the knowhow finally pull it off or what? :unsure:


edit: thinking along the lines of a parallel Hybrid A/B Development topic. Thoughts?
 
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mg.man

Well-known member
So... another hair-brained idea... first, an admission, I do like the "clean" lines of the Classic and Classic II... Now that that's out of the way... what about putting an LCD in there instead of the CRT? Since we're zeroing in on an LCIII foundation (which will pump out color), why not give it what it wants? We could use something like this:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1025133052/lcd-bracket-for-macintosh-plus-b-stock?ref=share_v4_lx - with a curved/formed clear acrylic or plexiglass panel in front...
 

mg.man

Well-known member
Of course, going this route would also avoid all that nasty / high voltage analogue circuitry.... 😀
 

Johnnya101

Well-known member
I think that's what @aeberbach was working on, not sure what model it was for though. I would love an LC/Classic III board, new power supply, new LCD... All looking period correct ish. Would be very reliable.
 

Trash80toHP_Mini

NIGHT STALKER
I've loved the clean lines of my Classic since I first dragged its rain soaked curbed carcass off a gritty street in the big bad rotten Apple twenty years ago. But mostly I like the Classic's case for Optical Drive upgrade.

LCD/CD etc. are tangential subjects here. I'd love to join in if you want to start up a new topic about Classiccase mods. ;)
 

aeberbach

Well-known member
I think that's what @aeberbach was working on, not sure what model it was for though. I would love an LC/Classic III board, new power supply, new LCD... All looking period correct ish. Would be very reliable.
Hi - I worked on it, it's done, but for SE and SE/30 models. Kind-of working now on displaying video from those models on a color LCD but I have been really busy.
 

Johnnya101

Well-known member
Hi - I worked on it, it's done, but for SE and SE/30 models. Kind-of working now on displaying video from those models on a color LCD but I have been really busy.
Good to hear. Did you ever post any final update photos? Any other plans on selling a kit or putting together a list or something?
 
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