ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Any discussions related to the creation of new hardware or software for the ZX80 or ZX81
MaFli
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 5:14 pm

ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by MaFli »

Finished soldering my DIY RAM PACK clone today. But first, many thanks to Markus Brenner who made both the gerberfiles and 3D model of the enclosure.
I had started to draw the PCB myself, based on schematics and pictures I found on the web, but Markus was kind enough to send the complete gerber set to me.

Managed to pick up 20 pcs of the 2114 RAM chip via Ebay. No clue if they are working yet as I didn't have the guts to turn on my newly restored ZX80 with RAM PACK yet... Will try that after posting this.
Anyway here are some pictures:
RAMpackPCB.JPG
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Components soldered in place:
RAMpackComp.JPG
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3D printed enclosure:
RAMpack.JPG
RAMpack.JPG (72.56 KiB) Viewed 5150 times
And fitted to my ZX80:
RAMpackZX80.JPG
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I am still looking for a (blue) connector with longer leads instead of the one fitted now. On the pictures I've seen the original connector was not mounted flush against the PCB. But it still fits onto my ZX80.
I bought an original RAM PACK via Ebay, which should arrive one of these days, so I can have a look at the rivets. They seem to be different from the ones used on the ZX80.

Anyway... found a small program to check the total RAM size. So time to power up...
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1024MAK
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Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by 1024MAK »

Looking good :D

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

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MaFli
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Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 5:14 pm

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by MaFli »

1024MAK wrote: Wed May 31, 2017 8:44 pm Looking good :D

Mark
Thanks :) And it is working too! Had the guts to turn it on. No magic smoke... Program reports a whopping 4096 bytes of RAM! :shock:

RAMcheck1.JPG
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RAMcheck2.JPG
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Moggy
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Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by Moggy »

:ugeek: :ugeek: :ugeek:

What else can I say!?
sirmorris
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Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by sirmorris »

What moggy said!
Moggy
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Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by Moggy »

@Charlie

He said where's my sodding MIDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus on looks alone I'd buy that little bugger! :D


I also think the rivets are the same as the case after visiting this site where Markus Brenner's name is mentioned....

https://fjkraan.home.xs4all.nl/comp/zx80/rampack.html
MaFli
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 5:14 pm

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by MaFli »

Moggy wrote: Wed May 31, 2017 9:16 pm @Charlie

He said where's my sodding MIDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus on looks alone I'd buy that little bugger! :D
I also think the rivets are the same as the case after visiting this site where Markus Brenner's name is mentioned....

https://fjkraan.home.xs4all.nl/comp/zx80/rampack.html
MIDI will be added in V2 :-)
I actually got in contact with Markus via the owner of this website. But the rivets are different. The ones on the ZX80 have 2 prongs and on the RAM PACK they've got 4. And the head is also slightly bigger. I should be able to verify as there is a genuine RAM PACK coming my way :-)
And then I can also make a better sticker with the correct orange colour.
I could order more boards if people are interested, btw. Had to pay quite a bit for two boards. Mainly because I didn't want to have solder mask :(
Moggy
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Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by Moggy »

Understood MaFli It is a thing of beauty well done sir. :D
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1024MAK
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Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by 1024MAK »

Ooh, an offer of more hardware goodness. I need a partner for this...
IMG_4648.JPG
My ZX80
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:D

So, yes, I would be very interested ;)

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Moggy
Posts: 3231
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: ZX80 RAM PACK DIY clone

Post by Moggy »

OOO that looks a bit poorly Mark and is that a 2364 ZX81 ROM chip that's been fitted as they usually look like this?

A switchy reg goes nice in there though too tall to mount vertically,would like to see this when fully restored. :D

Oh and don't forget a heat-sink on each chip!!

realising his blunder Moggy hides.
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