Retroleum.co.uk

Spare parts for Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and more!

Basket: 0 Items view basket contents

Various second hand accessories.

Click on the product thumbnail for an enlarged view.

As used in the common C64 grey "wedge" PSU (goes in the fuse holder at rear of the unit)

Designed to protect the C64 from a failing PSU: The 7805 regulator inside the original Commodore PSU was given a hard life and run very hot. Additionally, a mod was made by CBM to raise the 7805's ouptut by about 0.2v to overcome losses in the cable/plug/switch (this relied on a couple of resistors). So now, especially with 40 years of ageing, C64 PSUs are notorious for suddenly failing, go over-voltage and possibly damaging the chips in the C64 (which are specified to run between 4.75v and 5.25v).
The unit goes between the PSU and C64 and cuts the 5v line if the output rises above 5.49v (the 9v AC output is not important as this is regulated by the C64 internally).
LED indicates status: Green: power good / Red: Failed (5v output power blocked)

This is most common version of the Zipstik.
Refurbished by myself as follows: Thoroughly cleaned internally and externally, fitted four new high quality Crouzet brand microswitches (up,down,left,right) - these are the same as were used originally much of the time (they have a quiet click - not like cheap clunky types - and operate with appropriate mid-range actuation force: not too loose or stiff )
Fully tested: All directions including the diagonals, both fire buttons and auto-fire are working perfectly.
Very good physical condition - only minor wear and tear / nothing broken inside. The four suckers on the base are present and are in good condition.
Autofire Config: When the autofire switch is on, pressing a fire button creates rapid fire.

Original, fully microswitched Zipstik with auto-fire switch.
Thoroughly cleaned, internally and externally. Old cable replaced with new one.
Has its original microswitches: All directions including the diagonals, both fire buttons and auto-fire are working perfectly.
Good physical condition with just a little wear and tear. The four suckers on the base are present and in good condition.