PowerBook 5xx USB-C PD Adapter

[mmu_man]

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.

mmu_man (@[email protected])

Attaché : 3 images Still needs a few tweaks but… USB-C power adapter for the #PowerBook 5xx… #Mac68k #RetroComputing

m.g3l.org

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.

Note it only provides Vmain, so no charging. I'm still investigating if it's possible without extra hardware.

 

[mmu_man]

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.

So, someone confirmed using 15V Vmain without trouble for a year, I guess we're pretty safe there.

 

[PotatoFi]

Wow, that is exceptionally clean and compact. I absolutely love it, nice work!

 

[mmu_man]

So, instead of just doing the math and applying the datasheet for the chip I found, I started writing a KiCad plugin to do that for me… Someday I should just do stuff instead of spawning other projects