Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
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1024MAK
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Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by 1024MAK »

Here are some pictures of an issue 1 board ZX81, where I removed the 7805 series voltage regulator and replaced it with a RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator.

I also fitted two extra 100nF ceramic capacitors (marked "104").

I had originally intended on mounting the RECOM regulator vertical. But that did not work for me, so instead used some tinned solid core wire to make extra long legs at a right angle (90 degrees) so that I could lay the RECOM regulator horizontaly on it's back.

The first 100nF capacitor goes in the two holes in the PCB next to the 3.5mm jack socket for the 9V power input.

The second 100nF capacitor simply goes in two of the three the spare holes on the edge of the board where a switch can be fitted (provision for a channel / frequently band change switch for modulators that support this).

These holes may already be filled with solder. If this is the case, remove the solder with a solder sucker or desolder braid.

I decided to add these extra capacitors for two reasons, first the RECOM regulator is designed to be a straightforward replacement for the conventional 7805 series regulator chips. And having capacitors close to these is recommended to improve stability. This is good practice with any regulator. And secondly, they will help reduce electrical noise on the power lines.

I used thin heatshrink tubing on one capacitor. But this is not nessassary. If you want, you can also heatshrink the wires and legs on the RECOM regulator.

To make the extra leads for the RECOM regulator, I used stripped wires from some solid core telecom or ethernet cable that I had spare. I used a small set of round nose pliers to form a spiral ring on the end, so that it would slip over the leg of the RECOM regulator. Then I soldered it in place.

Note that when soldering the extended legs of the RECOM regulator to the PCB, enough heat may travel up the wire and melt the solder holding the wire to the leg of the RECOM regulator. So use something to hold the regulator in place while doing the soldering.
IMG_3449.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator - top view
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IMG_3450.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator - side view
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IMG_3451.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator - angled view 1
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IMG_3452.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator - angled view 2
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IMG_3453.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator - bottom PCB view
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Mark
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1024MAK
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by 1024MAK »

More pictures...
IMG_3454.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator- top view 2
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IMG_3455.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator- angled view 3
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IMG_3456.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator- angled view 4
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IMG_3457.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator- side view 2
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IMG_3458.JPG
RECOM R-785.0-1.0 switching regulator- side view 3
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Mark
ZX81 Variations
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:!: Standby alert :!:
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PokeMon
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by PokeMon »

Good work, nice fit. 8-)
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1024MAK
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by 1024MAK »

And finally, here is a picture of an issue 1 board showing the PCB tracks, pads, holes and a conventional 7805 voltage regulator for comparison ;)
IMG_3461.JPG
Issue 1 ZX81 showing close up of 7805 voltage regulator
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Mark
ZX81 Variations
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britain4
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by britain4 »

Looks very neat and tidy, I might add those caps next time I open my ZX81 up!
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-B-
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by -B- »

I use the Traco equivalent...
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adonet
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by adonet »

Is there any difference between the Recom and the Traco regulator?
I have been ZX computing since 1981, Zx81, 16Krampack, ZX Spectrum 48, Alphacom32, ZX Spectrum +, Lo>>profile keyboard, ZX Spectrum 128K
Ubuntu 18.04 and Raspberry PI
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1024MAK
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by 1024MAK »

Different devices from different manufacturers that do the same thing. There will be some technical differences, but for use in a ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum (to replace 7805 voltage regulators) or similar applications they are functionally equivalent.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
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:!: Standby alert :!:
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McKlaud
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by McKlaud »

adonet wrote: Sun May 20, 2018 5:50 pm Is there any difference between the Recom and the Traco regulator?
Price only.
Claudius
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adonet
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Re: Pictures of my ZX81 fitted with a RECOM 5V Regulator

Post by adonet »

What regulator would you advice for replacing the regulator in a Toastrack 128K?
The same or one with a higher maximum ampere? I can't really find one.

I found a decent shop that sells the TSR 1-2450 CONVERTER, DC/DC, 5V, 1A, SIP TRACOPOWER for € 8,=
But not one with 1.5A or 2A max output
I have been ZX computing since 1981, Zx81, 16Krampack, ZX Spectrum 48, Alphacom32, ZX Spectrum +, Lo>>profile keyboard, ZX Spectrum 128K
Ubuntu 18.04 and Raspberry PI
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