RAM Packs Alternatives?

[mrtinb]

Have you cleaned your edge connectors of the zeddy? Can you please post a macro photo of your zxpand connector ?

[Moggy]

Although the picture is quite blurred It looks like the solder coating has worn down to the copper tracks underneath in places making the edge connection unreliable, I would do as stroebeljc advises and re-coat the edge connector with solder.

[Karl_G]

Do you live in Europe? I ask because of postage.
In June there will be a 32 to 56 K Ram expansion available in Europe. Of course HRG capable.
Maybe also in the UK, depends on wether Lardo Boffin is willing to produce them.
They are tiny but are made to fit in original Sinclair 16K housings .

I live in the U.S., but this would be perfect. I may will be willing to swallow the cost of postage.

[doperst]

Have you cleaned your edge connectors of the zeddy? Can you please post a macro photo of your zxpand connector ?

20240430_221140.jpg20240430_221240.jpg

Hello everybody.
Maybe thickness of PCB also does matter. My Issue 1 ZX81 has a 1.6mm thick PCB.

[Moggy]

Have you cleaned your edge connectors of the zeddy? Can you please post a macro photo of your zxpand connector ?

20240430_221140.jpg20240430_221240.jpg

Hello everybody.
Maybe thickness of PCB also does matter. My Issue 1 ZX81 has a 1.6mm thick PCB.

Not so much a board problem, more so that the connectors of the day were frankly, rubbish.
Poor grip and when allied to a dirty or worn edge connector even worse. The more modern connectors as mentioned by Paul, in another thread, and fitted to such things as the ZXpand have improved matters greatly and personally speaking I have no wobble problems whatsoever. Give the edge connector a gentle clean every so often, reflow the solder on the edges "fingers" if needed, and all's good.

[doperst]

The more modern connectors as mentioned by Paul and fitted to such things

I can see the difference.

Btw, 40 years ago my father made a base of plexiglas, that fixed ZX81 and 4 memotech units (HRG, Centronics, 32K and 16K) tohether with screws from below. Velcro tape above and fixing screws below. It was rock-stedy.

[Moggy]

That's a great story. Taking the bull by the horns and showing who's boss!

I would have thought it took a bit of power with those 4 power hungry beasts attached, did the standard power block manage it?

[doperst]

did the standard power block manage it?

I believe, it did. Can't tell you for sure, tho, as 40 years have passed.
My father is 89 years old now and we still play Battle 1917 https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/sof ... e-1917-ccs
and Treachery https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/sof ... achery-cvg
from time to time

PSU is still alright, here it is:


but i prefer a modern one, not a cheapo thing, btw:


More pics:

[Moggy]

Your links for the two PSUs are bringing up a 403 forbidden error for me.

At 89 years old your father is probably the oldest Sinclair user yet!! Great to read that he still enjoys it.

[doperst]

Your links for the two PSUs are bringing up a 403 forbidden error for me.

At 89 years old your father is probably the oldest Sinclair user yet!! Great to read that he still enjoys it.

Cheers!
Fixed links.