Mac Plus to Mac Classic keyboard lead/cable?

[macclassic]

Having aquired a Mac Plus with no keyboard I wonder if I can connect it to a Classic keyboard by grafting a phone connector onto an ADB lead - with the right pinouts.

Does anyone have any experience of doing this, is it possible?

 

[aftermac]

My guess would be no, since the Plus has no ADB controller on the motherboard.

 

[tomlee59]

Aftermac's speculation is indeed correct. The two types of keyboards have totally different electrical interfaces. It's not a simple matter of swapping connectors. You'll have to find yourself an older keyboard to go with that Plus. A keyboard from any of the original compacts (128K, 512K, 512Ke, Plus) will work.

There were also third-party keyboards (e.g., datadesk), but they're somewhat rarer. Post a "wanted" ad on the Trading Post here, and you might get lucky.

 

[Bolle]

this may help you:

http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=938

 

[Maccess]

The earlier posts are correct: There is no Apple Desktop Bus controller in a Mac Plus.

It's a serial controller that only works with keyboards complying with Apple's serial keyboard protocol.

Datadesk's Mac101E keyboard has both an ADB and serial port. I have one of these and have used it with a Plus and 128K.

 

[macclassic]

I see, it's either serial or ADB.

The adapter mentioned by bolle is very interesting but I haven't built anything since a radio crystal set!

Ever surprised by this forum.

 

[Gumby]

Having aquired a Mac Plus with no keyboard I wonder if I can connect it to a Classic keyboard by grafting a phone connector onto an ADB lead - with the right pinouts.
Does anyone have any experience of doing this, is it possible?

I have an old yellow Mac Plus keyboard with cable you can have for shipping. I'll oly ship to the US since I don't want to be hassled with customs forms. let me know.

 

[quinterro]

A MacPro Plus keyboard made by KeyTronic has both ADB and the phone jack connectors on it.

 

[macclassic]

Thank's for the thought Gumby, unfortunately I live in the UK.

But I have since bought a mouse from eBay.co.uk and when this arrives it should allow me choose the settings to connect the Plus to my ethernet network through an AsanteTalk adapter - even if I have to copy paste letters and numbers with the mouse from info boxes!!!

 

[macclassic]

A MacPro Plus keyboard made by KeyTronic has both ADB and the phone jack connectors on it.

Alas, I am on a sub, sub budget with this Plus but thank's for the information, it all helps.

 

[macclassic]

This is the mouse I bought for my Plus, has anyone seen this brand of serial mouse before?

http://picasaweb.google.com/bromptys/Mouse

?

 

[Mike Richardson]

I remember reading once about how somebody made an ADB to phone jack thingy converter.

 

[Bolle]

I remember reading once about how somebody made an ADB to phone jack thingy converter.

.......

this may help you:http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=938

 

[Mac128]

Wow man ... deja vu ...

http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=20992#20992

http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=23422#23422

I know searching the forum is a lost art, but at least read the thread you're posting too ...

On another note ... there's this:

http://www.applefritter.com/node/314

http://www.applefritter.com/node/313

http://www.applefritter.com/node/294

 

[macclassic]

As a footnote I finally bought a Plus keboard off eBay and had to repair 12 of it's key switches!

But it's OK now.