PET IEEE-488 Double Adapter.

[Hugo Holden]

I wanted to run my SD2PET and my SFD1001 drive from the PET, but had no way of plugging them on at the same time.

I considered how to make a double adapter, triple adapter etc. The logical way was to have the pcb leaving the edge connector extending through a pcb with a rectangular hole and then using a double sided pcb as like a motherboard with other holes and extensions passing through that.

I decided to use what I had at hand, a pcb extension card with tracks on it that I could cut up and modify.

This technique can create a a double, triple or multi-way adapter depending on how many of the perpendicular boards are added along the main pcb strip.

I did not want to rely on just the soldering or glues to make it strong, so I cut rectangular keyways into the sides of the pcb's to mount them solidly. It required making spacers from pcb material and a phenolic block with taped & threaded 4-40 UNC holes (about 10 x 10mm cross section and 62mm long) and having holes to transport the conductors to the bottom surface of the main pcb.

Photos attached. Ignore the spelling error in image Adapter5.

I wonder if anyone could answer this question:

I have now been running both the SD2PET and the SFD1001 (which I hardware configured as Device number 9)

I have been using two versions of the DOS wedge. Both work fine with the SD2PET.

But, oddly, when using these wedges with the SFD1001, the command @S:filename (used to scratch a file) is completely ignored by the SFD1001, but is fine with the SD2PET. But I can scratch files in the SFD1001 with the non-DOS wedge method using the usual:

OPEN 1,9,15
PRINT#1,"S:filename"
CLOSE 1

 

[VERAULT]

I never had an original sfd-1001 or 8250 floppy drive cable when I got my PET. As well as when I got my PetSD+. I ended up buying a few of these $10.00 adapters https://store.go4retro.com/ieee-cable-adapter/ and using standard ieee-488 cables which link together. Which can be gotten for about $15.00 on avg even though I know the price has gone up the past couple years: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384032878227?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

I know this isnt related to the question you asked and I aplogize, but wouldnt that method just be easier for connecting the multiple devices?

 

[Eudimorphodon]

know this isnt related to the question you asked and I aplogize, but wouldnt that method just be easier for connecting the multiple devices?

The problem to be solved here is the SD2PET doesn't have an IEEE-488 D-connector on it like the "real" Commodore disk drives, it's designed to plug directly into the PET's edge connector and completely monopolize it. The normal passthrough cabling system doesn't work because we never get any further than the card edge.

Really the "correct" answer would be building the SD2PET with a passthrough card-edge integrated into it, like the old PETDISK had.

 

[Hugo Holden]

The problem to be solved here is the SD2PET doesn't have an IEEE-488 D-connector on it like the "real" Commodore disk drives, it's designed to plug directly into the PET's edge connector and completely monopolize it. The normal passthrough cabling system doesn't work because we never get any further than the card edge.

Really the "correct" answer would be building the SD2PET with a passthrough card-edge integrated into it, like the old PETDISK had.

Yes that is right, that ebay adapter was of no use to solve the problem as it prevents the use of the SD2PET.

The ADA1450 printer adapter also has that pass through edge connector, but, for example the ADA1200 does not,.

In my case the cable I have that connects to the pass through edge on my home made adapter is a dual flat cable with two of the Centronics connectors on the other ends, so now I can have 3 items attached, the SD2PET, the SFD1001 drive and mt Taylor-wilson printer adapter which has the same connector as the SFD1001. The SD2PET of course also has to be near the edge connector on the PET rear, because it gets its power via a short cable, from the Cassette edge connector.

Here is an interesting adapter I saw on ebay too, but it also prevents the use of the SD2PET:

ULTRA RARE! IEEE & printer adapter for Commodore PET 8000 series computers | eBay

This is a rare adapter designed by Johann Beurer of Austria. Originally designed to be used with the Commodore 8296SK computer but will work with most early versions of the Pet, 8000, 2000, 4000 and 3000 series.

www.ebay.com

 

[VERAULT]

I guess Its been a while since I tried using a disk drive and the sd2pet together.. But that does sound familiar.

 

[C128 Guy]

Like the the Bitfixer PETSD. It is setup as a passthrough so you can use your normal drives off the back of it.