PowerBook 5xx USB-C PD Adapter

  • It's #MARCHintosh 2025! Join in on the fun and post your project or play with some new stuff in our #MARCHintosh 2025 thread.

mmu_man

Tinkerer
Jan 30, 2022
171
93
28
I started designing the connector years ago but never really finished, I planned on using step-down boards and designing a case, much like @PotatoFi ended up doing for the 1xx series. I was a bit reluctant to sending only 15 volts, and I'd have liked to be able to check on schematics, but I suppose it should still work, after all the battery itself can go as low as 7V, and it seems people are doing it regardless, so better do it properly…

Still a few things to tweak to facilitate the assembly but it works.

PowerBook_5xx_PSU_20250323_223150.jpg


PowerBook_5xx_PSU_20250323_214436.jpg PowerBook_5xx_PSU_20250323_213459.jpg

 
  • Like
Reactions: wottle and eric

mmu_man

Tinkerer
Jan 30, 2022
171
93
28
I really want to confirm from schematics/PCB, but at least testing with AAUI+VGA output, HDD, full brightness, starting Netscape and using the floppy works OK.
 

mmu_man

Tinkerer
Jan 30, 2022
171
93
28
Note it only provides Vmain, so no charging. I'm still investigating if it's possible without extra hardware.
 

mmu_man

Tinkerer
Jan 30, 2022
171
93
28
So, as discussed on MLA, and I tested it, it seems the battery is hooked directly on Vbatt without any current limiter in the laptop, so if we want to charge as well I'll have to design some PCB to add inside. I think it's possible. 🤞