🇺🇸 Texas Instruments TI 99/4A: Part 1 (First Look & Power Supply) [TCE

[@JVHShack]

This reminds me of something that I want to do with my TI-99/4a (sliver one with the Mitsumi keyboard) which is to move the entire power supply outside of the machine to reduce to heat and preserve it for longer. I wanted to use the 4 pin connector to go directly to the brown wires inside from a Mean Well style PSU. As for the US power supplies, the US "wall wart's" provision for the screw hole on top is to have the computer owner remove the single screw holding the plastic outlet cover and try to make sure it doesn't fall off while plugging in their computer's power. If the outlet is recessed too far into the wall, it can make the task a bit of a circus act. Since the floor laying style of power supply that you have there has that additional extension, that's a bit of tangible history right there. That extension was permanently glued to the PSU and it would probably be destroyed if someone tried to pry it apart. I think there was a TSB (technical service bulletin or equivalent) released by Texas Instruments about that, IIRC. I can't remember what it was all about, though.

[@MotownBatman]

I just got a TI-99/4A for $20, It's Beautiful Condition, but I didnt get the Power Supply, I was gonna look up something Never like a USB-C adapter for all teh broken consoles I atempt to repair if its Cost Effective. Well Done!

[@Brfff]

Nice! Check the video description for three alternate power options (that I know about) - alternatively, if you're in the US and don't mind paying for shipping from Australia, you're welcome to one of my spare ones - they're pretty useless to me here, but they're a little heavy.

[@MotownBatman]

@@Brfff Thats an Amazing Offer!! but I would have to believe the Shipping to Detroit would be Pricey LOL

[@Brfff]

@@MotownBatman Umm, yeah ... not sure the weight but if it's 2kg then you're looking at minimum of about US$43 ... you could buy a 2nd machine with power supply in the US for just a little bit more! www.ebay.com/itm/296724264325

[@Brfff]

www.ebay.com/itm/395689677574

[@MrWaalkman]

Long before I had ever seen a TI-99/4A I had bought both the keyboard and the first style of power supply that you have. I still have them. The power supply I used to power my test board, and the keyboard is still in its original package. Your power supplt on the right at the end of the video has those jumpers that you mentioned, with one cut out.

[@Brfff]

I think these are the keyboards ... sold by Radio Shack ... Archer Model 277-1023. Looking at the asking prices, you're probably better off buying two complete 99/4A systems! www.ebay.com/itm/226375278666 ... or archive link when ebay one stops working: archive.is/lk7mY

[@Brfff]

Archived ebay listing of the keyboards (for posterity) archive.is/xXLPP

[@matthewspence3251]

The power supplies are pretty good on these, nothing to fear, unlike the commodore bricks. The keyboards are probably the most problematic, be gentle with the stackpoles or they split at the corners. Mine had cracked solder joints under the keys so a reflow was needed.

[@Brfff]

Yeah, they're just transformers aren't they? Not a fan of the later Commodore PSUs ... that's why I prefer the original 9VAC VICs ... nice & simple!

[@CheshireNoir]

Stackpoles have advantages and disadvantages. You can see the little contacts "clapping" on the inside when you push down the plunger.

[@Brfff]

Yeah, Jeramy (@JVHShack) designed a replacement keyboard for the Atari 800, for example.

[@CloudCuckooKing]

You are thinking of Usagi Electric, with the majestic sidecar setup. It's easy enough for me to remember, because I went through an anime obsession in my teens, and it's just the Japanese word for "rabbit" which he uses for a mascot for his channel.

[@Brfff]

Ahh ... 兎 ... "rabbit", thanks! I'll remember that now! I studied Japanese for five years at high school and two years at uni ... but that was 30 years ago, and a lot of Finnish pushed out most of the Japanese I knew ... although I still know most ひらがな, カタカナ and some of the basic 漢字 (and how to look them up if I don't!)

[@matthewspence3251]

This weekend : 42nd Annual Chicago TI-99/4A International World Faire, at the Evanston public library… 26-Oct-2024 free…

[@Brfff]

That'd be cool ... hopefully they have at least one fully expanded like Usagi's! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmrYp6GjrK2slaM

[@tye3333]

What’s your outro song?

[@Brfff]

In this video it's "Lavender Haze" from Karl Casey's "White Bat 31" album karlcasey.bandcamp.com/album/white-bat-31

[@jesusisunstoppable4438]

I had this when I was a kid. But not that blue thing. Mine was the texas instruments ti-99/4a home computer.