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Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 6:47 pm
by desiv
gammaray wrote: Fri Nov 02, 2018 6:20 pm... manuals are like gnomes or mushrooms around here!
Yep, I used to always swing by the computer book section when my wife and I would hit the used book stores, but I never found any good computer manuals... I finally stopped swinging by to check for them.
Still no idea where my wife's sister found those, but glad she did! ;-)
I suppose I should make it a point to keep looking. Just in case...

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 8:07 pm
by desiv
OK, more evidence that this purchase and I were meant to be... ;-)
My purchase also included 2 printers. A ZX Printer and a Timex Sinclair 2040.
I haven't tried either printer (I did get 6 sealed rolls of paper that I think are for the ZX Printer), but I noticed that the only power supply I had for anything was a 9V that was in the ZX Printer box. (Not sure if it is the one that came with the printer.)
The power supply runs the Zeddies (see, I am working on the name part!) fine.
But in researching the other printer, I see it needs a separate power supply. Checking around, it needs a 24v 1.2a and it needs to be 24vAC. Hmmm.
So I go to my power supply drawer, pull out the first decent size wall wart power supply I see...
24vac 1.5a. And the plug on the end.. Looks like it fits... :-)
(Of course, I haven't tested either printer so no guarantee that they will work, but still...)
If it does, I will have to see about some paper for one of them. (Hopefully it is the 2040, as my research seems to imply that a standard roll of fax paper cut to the right size might work???)

No, I don't intend on doing a lot of printing... ;-)

I also did see the thread here on the replacement belt for the ZX Printer. Good part is that I do have a 3D printer to try if needed. Although, I have never tried any flexible filaments on it...

Just aesthetically, I prefer the ZX Printer. The size and form factor are awesome.
Although based on youtube videos, man that little printer is loud!!! ;-)
Not sure I need them, but just in case I did order a spare keyboard and an overlay (since I have the US models... ).
Hoping to have the time to work on them next weekend or sooner...

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pm
by Moggy
Glad to see you've caught the bug!

As for the printers, the 2040(known as Alphacom in the UK and sold by Tandy) is the one to persevere with. no need to cut down fax rolls as any 100mm till receipt thermal paper roll will do the job.(served me well for thirty years)

If the paper is white then it is for the 2040 which is a thermal printer, if the paper is silver in colour then it is for the Sinclair which is an electrostatic or spark printer(which really got up the FCC's nose) and uses two electrodes or styli to burn away a silvered top paper layer to reveal a black, bottom layer which in theory is supposed to be the print.

As for the Sinclair one can I suggest you use it for land fill as in my humble opinion they are a piece of dreck. :lol: (tongue firmly in cheek) and if the 3d belt thing ever sees a successful light of day I will change my name to Betty.

Plus if you are state side they are illegal to use over that side of the pond with no FCC approval (radio and ozone emissions) and the only supply of silvered paper,( which this electronic abortion needs) , in the world is in a box in my attic. (yes I was the cretin who got lumbered with it)

The 2040 power supply is indeed a 24/25 volt AC unit with the DC conversion done on board the printer.
If you have paper for the 2040 Then a simple test is to press both buttons together and the printer goes into a self test mode printing a series of the CHR 8.


Great to have an enthusiastic member on board so have fun!

Best Regards.

Moggy.

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 10:39 pm
by desiv
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmGlad to see you've caught the bug!
Yep, guilty. ;-)
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmAs for the printers, the 2040(known as Alphacom in the UK and sold by Tandy) is the one to persevere with. no need to cut down fax rolls as any 100mm till receipt thermal paper roll will do the job.(served me well for thirty years)
Good to know. I just have to decide if I need a bunch of rolls, as it looks like I have to buy a bunch to get them. ;-) (At least on Amazon and e-bay)
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmIf the paper is white then it is for the 2040 which is a thermal printer, if the paper is silver in colour the it is for the Sinclair which is an electrostatic or spark printer(which really got up the FCC's nose) and uses two electrodes or styli to burn away a silvered top paper layer to reveal a black, bottom layer which in theory is supposed to be the print.
Yep, I double checked the sealed rolls I have and they are listed as ElectroSensitive paper, so that is the paper for the ZX Printer. Not sure I'll do much printing with it, but glad I have it. I think I'll mostly have the ZX81 on the shelf for display / backup and that little ZX Printer will look nice sitting next to it. But I'll have the 2040 (if it works) available for any actual prints I might want to do...
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmAs for the Sinclair one can I suggest you use it for land fill as in my humble opinion they are a piece of dreck. :lol: (tongue firmly in cheek) and if the 3d belt thing ever sees a successful light of day I will change my name to Betty.
There is actually a youtube video of the belt printed, but not installed and working. I have my doubts that TPU (flexible filament) would be strong enough for a belt also... But I haven't actually printed with TPU, so ...
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmPlus if you are state side they are illegal to use over that side of the pond with no FCC approval (radio and ozone emissions) and the only supply of silvered paper,( which this electronic abortion needs) , in the world is in a box in my attic. (yes I was the cretin who got lumbered with it)
And I have 6 sealed rolls on this side of the pond now. I always figured most of my old computer stuff is probably sketchy to run. Seems like metal shields are the first thing to go when working on them. ;-)
That said, my newer asian made 3D printer might be the most likely to set the house on fire. I tend to monitor it as such to be safe. ;-)
Moggy wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:54 pmThe 2040 power supply is indeed a 24/25 volt AC unit with the DC conversion done on board the printer.
If you have paper for the 2040 Then a simple test is to press both buttons together and the printer goes into a self test mode printing a series of the CHR 8.
Good to know. When I get some paper, I'll test it out that way first!
Thanx!

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 10:47 pm
by dessony
Welcome to the ZX81/TS1000 Group!

From an American to an American,
Dessony

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 2:06 am
by gammaray
Make sure you get the KDLX keyboard enhancements from Pokemon ... they are worth their weight in gold!

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:41 pm
by desiv
OK, I thought this was awesome.
I found out that I have the instructions for the Sinclair 16k RAM pack.
I love this bit:
A little mental arithmetic should show that the computer can theoretically handle up to 960 program lines when fitted with the expansion pack. In practice, no program is likely to need this much....
:-)

desiv

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:05 pm
by gammaray
:D :lol: :) :lol:

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 1:36 am
by mhudson52
"and if the 3d belt thing ever sees a successful light of day I will change my name to Betty"

Well, I hate to inform Moggy that I now have a ZX printer to further proof out my belt design that has already had a successful tryout.

Matter of fact, the .STL was posted to the forum a few months back, though some may have missed it.

The most difficult part of that project is reproducing those dang styli. I have a pretty good process developed, but it is very time-consuming due to their size. If someone still has the styli and just needs the belt, that makes it a whole lot easier to get that old printer sparking again.

Regards,
Mike

Re: New member from Oregon, USA

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:19 pm
by Moggy
mhudson52 wrote: Sun Nov 11, 2018 1:36 am "and if the 3d belt thing ever sees a successful light of day I will change my name to Betty"

Well, I hate to inform Moggy that I now have a ZX printer to further proof out my belt design that has already had a successful tryout.

Matter of fact, the .STL was posted to the forum a few months back, though some may have missed it.

The most difficult part of that project is reproducing those dang styli. I have a pretty good process developed, but it is very time-consuming due to their size. If someone still has the styli and just needs the belt, that makes it a whole lot easier to get that old printer sparking again.

Regards,
Mike
A shame they aren't certified for use state-side (ozone and radio interference.) :lol:

More seriously though well done Mike for a fantastic result which should be of great benefit to the collectors but it it has to be admitted that the lack of a paper supply means they will only remain curios to be wheeled out once a year to print "hello world" then it's back on the shelf.

The on-board ULA and one of the transistors were a weakness on early printers (causing poor printing and faded printing after prolonged use) as well as the belts which where swapped for better items when serviced or repaired by Sinclair or their agents and should you have any paper avoid high humidity when storing as according to Sinclair this could cause poor print finish.

Again a great result Mike.

Regards.

Moggy.