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- Seperate your C64 keyboard from the CPU.
-
- All parts listed here are from Digi-Key 1-800-344-4539.
- You will need the following list of parts: Price:
- (1) one straight lead header # CHS4OG-ND $ 2.56
- (2) one .100 Flat flex cable assembly ( 6 inches)
- # A9BAG-2006-ND $ 9.03
- (3) one .100 Flat flex cable # A9AAT-2006F-ND (6 inches) $ 5.28
- (4) one 25 pin interface extention (2 meter male to male)
- # AE1010-ND $ 6.93
- (5) two Solder cup type D-sub connector 25 pins (females)
- # A2049-ND $ 4.50
- --------
- Total $ 28.30
- Instructions:
- When you open the C64 (normally 3 screws) you will see how the keyboard is
- plugged into the motherboard. There is a 20 pin ribbon type plug that
- goes into a male fitting on the board with 19 pins ( missing one is a key
- to prevent plugging in the keyboard backwards).
- Carefully unplug that plug (lift at the ends and gently rock as you lift).
- Solder the straight lead header (1) to the Flat flex cable (3). ( both
- will have the same spacing)
- Solder the other end of the Flat flex cable (3) to a 25 pin female connector
- (5). The straight header (1) plugs into the female plug on the keyboard
- connector ( you will need to cut or bend pin number 2 for it to fit).
- This will give you a 25 pin D-sub Female connector for the ksyboard.
- The keyboard assembly is ready to put back in to the computer case.
- ( be sure to remove the computer board first and decide where to put it.)
- You have several choices as to where you would like the 25 pin female
- connector to exit the case (it has lots of holes).
-
- Now take the Flat cable assembly (2) and solder the other 25 pin female
- connector (5) to it. BE SURE THAT THE PINS ON THE TWO 25 pin D-sub
- connectors will match. ( the 25 pin connectors I have seen are numbered)
- Plug the Flat cable asssembly into the motherboard and the computer
- portion is ready to install in your case. ( I used an old C64 case for this)
- You can put it most any where. Built one, use an old IBM tower whatever.
- Again you have some choices to make on where the 25pin D-sub will exit
- but less than the keyboard as the cable is only 6" long.
-
- I did not mention the little power indicator light. You will have 5 extra
- leads on the D-sub if you want to connect the light. Having the light
- come on is a nice touch. You can just solder a couple of wires from
- the motherboard to do this.
-
- For joysticks and mice you will need 2 9 pin D-sub cables. The cheapest
- are Sega joystick extention cables. The 9 pin cables are common as dirt
- so you will have no problem finding what you want. (Radio Shack, ect.)
-
- You also may not want 2 meters of cord between you keyboard and computer
- so you can look for the length you want (male on both ends). I have
- a rig with 2 cables connected to a total of 10 feet (great for games)
-
- If I ever get a case designed I will offer a "kit" for those that
- don't have time to solder about 60 connections. Open to ideas
- on how to improve this and what to use for inexpensive cases that would
- allow access to CMD add ons like the Super CPU and RamLinks.
-
- The main reason for this design is to make using the C64 easier by
- seperating the computer and keyboard (not a new idea) LoadStar has
- the same thing in the issue #140 with simple ribbon cable. My design
- ,just to toot my SID chip, is much more flexable and LOOKS better too.
-
- I'd love e-mail from those that complete this project. Let me know how
- it goes.
-