Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

Thanks. It is a Sinclair Ram pack. Turns out it is not so easy to find an unregulated supply. But if simply adjusting the voltage makes it possible to work with and without the ram pack, then I like the regulated variable voltage PSU again.

Neither is it easy to find a 3.5mm mini phone plug to 2.5mm female barrel adapter. Only at Digikey and for $11 with S&H. I'll make it from a phone plug I have laying around and one of the adapter ends that ships with the PSU.

Ok - got this sorted.

Thank you!

As the 16k rampack is worth nothing compared to the ZX80 I'd use a regulated PSU and sell the ZX80 without the rampack.

Thanks. I was surprised that the ram packs held such little value. I bet they were pretty dear in the day. I'm eager to see if the adjustable voltage supply will make for the best of both worlds.

Andre

Most users had one, and remember the wobble problems they introduced.
The contacts of their connectors are sh....

Got it. My brother warned me that the connection was sh... So all of a sudden you lose everything.

I'd have thought there'd be an aftermarket male to female ribbon cable to make better contact and isolate the rampack.

This is kind of fun for me to explore, even though I have no interest in owning and using the Sinclair. I appreciate everyone's comments.

Andre

There were ribbon cables for the later ZX Spectrum, but they were stiff so did not really help...

Mark

I remember a few magazine ads of the time offering ribbon cables for the ZX81 also.

Rich Mellor of Sell my retro also sold a ribbon cable to use with the ZX80 zxpand combo.