mAcTX - ATX to Classic Macs

[Compgeke]

Future Plans: 

In the works right now are:

Quadra 630/6200/etc chassis machines. This one's very early with no finalized design. We need to pull a machine apart and get measurements internally to determine what needs to go where exactly (on a PCB. connector wise). This one's being worked on by @blusnowkitty and is in very early concept stage.


 

Macintosh II/IIx/IIfx. I'm working on this one and I've got some sample connectors from Molex and measurements done on how the PCB fits into the case. This one will be using a Flex ATX PSU since there's plenty of space inside the case and you might want to load up your IIfx with dual Radius Rockets and dual 24 bit Color cards and a network card. That'll draw some power. I've also got an OG II with a dead PSU - and recapping was not the solution (and I don't feel like digging into it right now). Astec problems. 

 

[David Goodson]

Fantastic, I’ll take at least one of the IIsi versions, if not more after every one else has one.

 

[Bunsen]

Thanks for the rundown, Compgeke.  If you like, I'll edit a link to that post into the head comment of the thread. 
 

mAcTX LC. This one is for the LC 1/2/3/Performa variations/etc

Can anyone definitely say what all other models fit in under "etc"?

 

[Compgeke]

Macintosh LC
Macintosh LC II
Macintosh LC III
Macintosh LC III+
Performa 450
LC 475
Performa 475
Quadra 605

Probably some I'm missing here. Apple's product lines were crazy.

 

[Fizzbinn]

Probably some I'm missing here. Apple's product lines were crazy.

In addition to what you have I think it’s all LC/Performa 4xx models.

 

[blusnowkitty]

Ready to buy the mAcTX LC?  

 

[LazarusNine]

PM sent for the preorder. Apologies for the very basic question, but if I need an external power brick to power an 80-watt picoPSU, can the power adapter have either a lower or higher wattage rating if the Mac LC is only drawing a fraction of the power available? The other problem is the voltage rating on a lot of the adapters I’ve found. For those offering higher wattages, the voltage ratings seem to often exceed the 12V of the picoPSU (e.g. 15V+). So, that narrowed my search quite significantly. In short, if I buy this 80w picoPSU,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Box-picoPSU-80-Output-Input-Supply/dp/B005TWE5E6

can I go for this 120w, 12V power adapter?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y8MC5JG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sHi6EbWZPK1PV

Would another adapter rated at 12V, but under 80W (e.g. 65W) also work? Finally, does the linked power adapter above have the appropriate male input for the picoPSU’s input? Thanks!

 

[Jonaducati]

Looking forward to getting one or two of those compact for my two IIsi undergoing PSU issues (though one seems to be working fine but in need for a recap, and the other is working with an inverter board adapted). Great news to find someone that’s bothered about us, vintage mac aficionados. Keep the good work going!!!

 

[sportingt]

So here's the rundown since the thread kind of turned into a jumble.

There're two versions currently just about ready to go. Final hardware revisions done and all that stuff. Just working on the other random stuff like documentation rather than hardware. That, and sorting out 3D printed parts.

The first is the mAcTX LC. This one is for the LC 1/2/3/Performa variations/etc. This is the final design and setup for how it works, sans that heatshrink on the motherboard lead. That'll go. 

View attachment 34137

The next is the mAcTX II Compact. This one's for the Macintosh IIsi mainly but also works in the IIcx, IIci, etc, etc. Hardware wise it's done but I don't have the rear mounting bracket stuff finished yet. All the 3D printed tests are bummed off other people since I don't have a 3D printer myself. I've also got 50 PCBs and parts to assemble 20 full boards already here.

View attachment 34138

Very good project! Is it possible to order one board?

 

[Compgeke]

It's been a while, but I finally have an update. I've got my hands on a 3D printer I can borrow as long as I need, meaning I can actually do brackets without waiting on shipping for every change. 

The first one is for the IIsi - it's nearly completed.

 

Made a few small changes from this test, waiting on that one above to print. It's almost fitting. 

As soon as I can get the IIsi done, I'll whip up something for the IIcx/ci/whatever afterwards. Once all that is done, I'll get some brackets made up by a friend with a much better printer. The prints from this M3D Micro are nowhere near the quality or strength required for actual use - I'm having to reinforce the latching tabs so they don't snap off right away. It's an issue with this printer only though, it's not particularly accurate. 

 

[blusnowkitty]

In addition to the above update, here's some news on the mAcTX LC front:

I do intend to produce another run of boards at some point. However due to the uncertainty of USPS's future, I will not be offering any more for sale until this picture becomes a little more clear. Maybe I will have to move to UPS or FedEx, maybe USPS can rebound from this - I just don't know at this point, and I'd rather not make the buyer deal with this headache as well. At some point there will be a revised model that adjusts the position of the power output thru-holes as well as adding in power status LEDs like the IIc board. I'm in two minds about this, though. If I use thru-hole parts, then the board loses a lot of its original elegance and simplicity and looks way too crowded. If I go surface-mount, then I would only offer the boards as a pre-assembled kit. Choices, choices...

 

[nater]

In addition to the above update, here's some news on the mAcTX LC front:

I do intend to produce another run of boards at some point. However due to the uncertainty of USPS's future, I will not be offering any more for sale until this picture becomes a little more clear. Maybe I will have to move to UPS or FedEx, maybe USPS can rebound from this - I just don't know at this point, and I'd rather not make the buyer deal with this headache as well. At some point there will be a revised model that adjusts the position of the power output thru-holes as well as adding in power status LEDs like the IIc board. I'm in two minds about this, though. If I use thru-hole parts, then the board loses a lot of its original elegance and simplicity and looks way too crowded. If I go surface-mount, then I would only offer the boards as a pre-assembled kit. Choices, choices...

Looking forward to a new run (I missed the first run because I was expecting this forum to email me thread updates, which inexplicably didn't happen for a few months!) I can confirm that USPS is unreliable right now, I have a cable en route that shipped out of CA a month ago and is finally in MA after being in a black hole for two weeks. When I opened up an inquiry with USPS it popped back into existence after a couple of days. FedEx and UPS have been reliable.

 

[Solvalou]

I'm stoked about a possibility of a 630 series PSU solutions. Already had 3 of them buggers blow in quick succession.

It's also one of my very favourite 68K models too being mine is the DOS version with all the AV/networking gear. Oh and IDE, which saves a lot of headaches.

 

[CC_333]

I bought a new-used phone recently (an iPhone SE, just like my old one whose Touch ID broke), and it seems to have just fallen off the face of the earth.  No tracking, no indication that it shipped, nothing.

I've been inclined to think that it's an unreliable seller, but it could also be due to USPS' recent unreliability.  Either way, hopefully I didn't get ripped off.

c

 

[Torbar]

Your project was shown on the latest Adrians Digital Basement video(4:13 in)

 

[just.in.time]

@blusnowkitty I’d be interested in one for the LC1-LC475/Q605 variants when you decide to do another batch of those.

Also, will the future Performa 6200 variation likely work with the Performa 6360?

 

[David Goodson]

My picoPSU-80 I bought for the macTX doesn't work anymore. Luckily I bought 2 of them and the 2nd one works so I was able to determine that it's not macTX that's broken.

It's this one: https://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-80

Any one else had a problem with these? I can't see any obvious disconnection points. Any chance that 80w isn't enough? Should I use a 120w one instead? 

I haven't tried to get it replaced by mini-box yet.

 

[Amiga of Rochester]

I do a lot of Macintosh recapping IISI, IICI, LC* - This is invaluable to me. Please let me know when available, I'd REALLY like to buy this.

I can solder my own, even order my own parts...Is that possible? 

 

[ironborn65]

I'm also interested in a couple of mAcTX LC, are they still available?

thanks

all the best

PF

 

[Mikerophone]

I have a Quadra 605 whose PSU went belly up -- this would be just the ticket! Are they still available, and how? 

Thanks!

Mike in Bethlehem, PA