Curious Sinclair ZX81 Power Supply

[nehpets123]

Hi All,

I don't know if anyone can shed any light on this Sinclair power supply that I got with a ZX81 that I recently bought. I've had a few Zeddy 81's over the years and I've never seen one like this before. Is this a kit model or maybe from an 80?

Anyway, not really important but just curious if anyone knows anything about or what it was originally shipped with.

Grateful for any info.

Cheers,

Stephen

[nehpets123]

Sorry, forgot the picture!

[XavSnap]

Hi,

May be an early Sinclair Spectrum 16/48k power supply…
Any infos on the back (Uk,CE,US legals logos) ?

[1024MAK]

It’s not the same as a ZX80 PSU that I obtained. And it’s definitely not the same as the UK700 (standard ZX81), UK1200 (supplied with the ZX Printer when used with a ZX81) or the UK1400 (standard ZX Spectrum) PSUs.

Do however keep in mind that Sinclair Research Ltd contracted out the manufacturer of the PSUs supplied with the ZX80, ZX81 and the ZX Spectrum computers (not sure what happened when Amstrad took over).

Maybe it was intended for use with another Sinclair product?

Mark

[nehpets123]

Thanks guys for the reply guys. Mystery solved, it's actually a power supply for a Sinclair Calculator. I came across a couple through some searching which look identical apart from the black cable.

Following Xav's suggestion I had another go at reading the tiny text on the base. The part number is 51151-060, it's virtually unreadable (black text on black background) and impossible to photograph but I was able to read it using a pair of close focus binoculars (of all things). The text says -

Supply 240v 50Hz
Output 9v 50mA
Max Current 100mA
Part No 51151-060

Thanks for the suggestions.

Cheers,

Stephen

[1024MAK]

No good for powering a ZX80 or a ZX81 then (not enough power output)

Mark

[Lardo Boffin]

There is another curious one here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spectrum-Pow ... 890.l49292

[Moggy]

There is another curious one here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spectrum-Pow ... 890.l49292

Apart from the wrong plug (ZX81 type) I doubt a 250 mA power pack would even boot a spectrum.

EBAY POWER PACK.

I would say this is another calculator power pack similar to the one pictured below which is for a Sinclair calculator and also rated at 250 mA.

[Lardo Boffin]

I did suggest to the seller that it is clearly not a Spectrum PSU and if they included the part number it may actually sell to someone who knows what it is and wants one.

[XavSnap]

Sinclair Mains 9v Adapter 51151-060 For Sinclair Oxford 100/150 Calculators