Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

I was at a thrift store yesterday and found a power adapter with output of 9V 1.5A for one dollar. If I replace the connector to with a 3.5mm connector with the correct polarity (which I believe is center positive - but I will need to verify), can I use it as a power supply for a TS-1000 or is the 1.5A too much?

A second question, I recently acquired a ZXPAND+ ZX81 Timex 1000 SD card interface device. Can a standard TS-1000 power supply drive this unit in addition to the computer without any issues? I have yet to install software on a SD card and test the unit.

Thank you!

Joe

Should be fine on both counts I think, but for sure the standard power is enough to also drive the ZXPAND.

Thank you!

Joe

USAJoe wrote: ↑Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:22 am I was at a thrift store yesterday and found a power adapter with output of 9V 1.5A for one dollar.

This is a DC unit I presume, do check, as an AC adapter will kill a TS1000.

USAJoe wrote: ↑Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:22 amIf I replace the connector to with a 3.5mm connector with the correct polarity (which I believe is center positive - but I will need to verify), can I use it as a power supply for a TS-1000 or is the 1.5A too much?

For the 3.5mm “jack” plug, the tip is positive, the sleeve/ring is 0V/“GND”/common.

The TS1000 will only draw the current it needs, so as long as the power adapter can supply at least this amount (which for a TS1000 or ZX81 is between approximately 300mA and 450mA depending on which parts were used to manufacture it). So a power adapter / PSU with a rating of 1.5A is fine

USAJoe wrote: ↑Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:22 amA second question, I recently acquired a ZXPAND+ ZX81 Timex 1000 SD card interface device. Can a standard TS-1000 power supply drive this unit in addition to the computer without any issues? I have yet to install software on a SD card and test the unit.

If the TS1000 PSU has a current rating of 700mA (0.7A) or greater, yes.

Mark

Thank you for the replies!

I've attached a photo of the AC Adapter. The output is is 9V with a solid line over three dash lines. I'm pretty sure that this is a DC output per this information that I found on the internet:

"The output line has three pieces of information: the output voltage (typically 5V, 9V, 12V), a solid line over a dashed line indicating DC or a ~ indicating AC, and a current rating, usually in hundreds of milli-amps for smaller blocks that plug in, and amps for supplies where the brick is separate from the plug. When replacing a power supply, you’ll want to match the output voltage, match the AC/DC output, and the output amperage must be at least as big as the previous supply and it can be bigger. That number is just the maximum the supply is rated for, not how much it will deliver."
If I'm incorrect, please let me know!

Joe

Yes, in the photo, that's a PSU with a DC output.

Mark

Thank you!

Joe