Last year, I uncovered a forgotten set of prototype Mini PET 40/80 PCBs and built one up. I posted about that at the time and a few months later, someone contacted me about buying a Mini PET, so I sold that.
A few months after that, someone else asked for one, so I built another.
Recently I had another couple of requests, so I thought I should list those on Tindie.
These were the prototype of the 40/80 design (well, actually the second prototype), that went on to be developed into the 40/80D and the Mini PET kits that were sold via TFW8b.
This board has an error on it, two of the pins on the DIP switch were transposed.
Now that I have built a few of these, I have got better at fixing that. I now drill out both of the pads and wire them in, so the full range of options are available.
Due to the timing of the other versions, I never ordered fixed boards, or sold these as a kit. I can't really expect kit builders to do the mod, so I will have this only available as assembled for now.
I did not have a manual written either, but as I have been selling the assembled versions, I have been putting together the missing manual, so now I can properly list it, with all the DIP switches working as intended.
I will see how things go. I only have 4 PCBs left, if there is still interest in those I might order a new set of boards with the error fixed (and I am sure I will also fiddle with some other things, I can't help myself)
This is the version intended for installation in a PET case (although the picture shows an older version)
The white version with the keyboard was intended for standalone use.
I did design a 40/80 version of that (which was the first 40/80 prototype), note there are 5 logic chips on the right hand side, I managed to get that down to 4 on the next version (as seen in the green V1.82 boards I am selling), and the power switch didn't stick (does anyone like that?)
I would need to respin that with the 4 logic chip version and probably no power switch (and again I am sure more changes) - if anyone is interested, let me know.
Since one of the requests was for a replacement board for a PET 2001 case, I have listed the option for the datasette interface board to allow the connection of the internal datasette drive in those cases.
That will be datasette #1, normally the port on the rear, with datasette #2 on the side.
The port is still available, although should not be used for a datasette. It is ideal for providing power to an SD2PET or similar.
You also have the option of mounting the whole board further inside the case, including an SD2PET, so it does not stick out that back of the case.
Ready to restore almost every type of PET from a 2001 to an 8032.
40 and 80 column is supported, as well as normal or business keyboards. (no VIC20/C64 keyboards, no 8xxx-SK, no 64K RAM boards, no SuperPET, no CBM-II, but I think everything else should be OK)
32K of RAM is present, along with a selection of ROMs, BASIC 1, 2, 4 and Mini PET BASIC 4.1 which includes a DOS wedge, improved machine code monitor, self-test and file browser.
This is using all modern chips, other than the last of my stocks of dual port RAM chips, and I have found an alternate microcontroller than can be used without modifying the PCB.
Whilst putting together the listing, I remembered this great video from Sam at Look Mum, No Computer. I had forgotten how good the video was.
The section with Sam installing a Mini PET into a PET case starts just before 3 minutes, but it is definitely worth watching the whole thing:
As Sam says in the captions, you do not need to replace the capacitor in the PET case. I don't think I have found a bad one in a PET case yet. The current consumption of the Mini PET is only around 100mA, compared to the 3A the capacitors were rated for. There is also an extra 100µF capacitor on the Mini PET board.
I did actually order some really nice Nichicon replacements many years ago, so I was ready if I ever need one.
I wonder where they are now....
Adverts
The assembled versions are available from Tindie now:
I am sorry that is a bit pricey, but I have to do each of these as a one off and it's the last of the boards and the RAM chips.
Also available is the recently revived Minstrel 4th (with the updated ROM including Jupiter Ace Forth and ZX81 BASIC), available as a kit or built and tested, from my Tindie store or Z80kits.com
- https://www.tindie.com/products/tynemouth/minstrel-4th-z80-forth-rc2014-jupiter-ace-kit/
- https://z80kits.com/shop/tynemouth-minstrel-4th/
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