Compact Mac Flyback alternatives?

reallyrandy

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
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New Jersey
I don't know a lot about electrical type stuff but I'd bet there are probably some other options out there for these flybacks on compact Macs with 9" screens. As these Macs get older and older and CRTs and flybacks probably completely out of production by now, it's getting harder to find replacements.
If I search for "Flyback Transformer" on ebay I get around 1,700 returns, most under $35. If I search "Apple Flyback", I get 5 returns and if it says Apple anywhere in the listing the price is quadruple.

I did find this but it's crazy expensive:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1216557807...d=&campid=5338688324&toolid=10001&mpt=6840444

This site seems to be out of them:
https://www.hrdiemen.com/search/index?bmodel=&brand=APP&page=3&utf8=✓

Since Mac Plus, 128, and 512 analog boards are pretty pricey, would the flyback from an SE or SE/30 work in a Plus?
 
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trag

Tinkerer
Oct 25, 2021
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Wow. Someone must have told Dalbani what they had, or they're more clueful than many other sellers.

Not too many years ago they were selling flybacks for less than $10 each. $8 each, IIRC. Checked my records -- that was back in 2013. Longer ago than I thought. Time flies....
 

Drake

TinkerDifferent Board Vice-President 2023
Staff member
Sep 23, 2021
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Wow. Someone must have told Dalbani what they had, or they're more clueful than many other sellers.

Not too many years ago they were selling flybacks for less than $10 each. $8 each, IIRC. Checked my records -- that was back in 2013. Longer ago than I thought. Time flies....
Speaking of "Time Flies"...
Here's the poster for the new movie I designed. 🤣
Screenshot_20211207-215640_Sketchbook.jpg
 

reallyrandy

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
182
81
28
New Jersey
More silly question:
isn't it possible to rebuild these flyback transformers? Probably the specifications are available.
We have so many excellent expert here, maybe not a completely new design, but to renew old ones would be possible to do, I believe.
I'd buy a few of them!
 

reallyrandy

Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2021
182
81
28
New Jersey
I have a MacPlus PSU that is starting to make that high pitched tone from the flyback. Is there a way to doctor it up before it fails? The epoxy seal looks intact and no corona appears in a dark room. Floppy port voltage looks good too.
 

trag

Tinkerer
Oct 25, 2021
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TechKnight posted about rebuilding flybacks either here or on 68kmla. Apparently, even after you get the coils properly wound, which is a major undertaking by itself, there's some process of dipping teh transformer in a pot of hot something or other, sealant or soemthing like that to drive off any internal moisture and seal the coils.

It sounded fairly complicated. Maybe not as bad as taking up electroplating as a hobby...