On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 sethm_at_loomcom.com wrote:
> I'm finally getting ready to tackle my Imsai 8080 restoration. There's
> actually very little involved except cleaning, and bringing up the
> power supply. EXCEPT: The PS transformer is very badly rusted. Oddly,
> the paper wrapping looks fairly OK, it's just the metal core which is
> covered in a lovely, crusty layer of rust.
The one I'm working on was fairly rusty as well. I simply used a steel
brush to take as much off as I could. Otherwise, the rust doesn't harm
anything (unless its eaten half the core away or something). There's also
stuff you can buy at the hardware store to dissolve rust. I was thinking
about using it but didn't bother as the steel brush did a decent enough
job. Its still brown but it adds character.
> Is there a way to recover this transformer and bring it back to life?
> It could be replaced by a modern equivalent, but I'd much rather save
> the original -if possible-.
>
> By the way, the recent discussions about using a light bulb in series
> with the power supply has helped tremendously -- I had no idea where
> I was going to find a Variac; at least, not a cheap one.
Yeah, it worked fine for me. I used a fifteen watt bulb and ran it for
over 4 hours. I bought a light socket that has two prongs on the end so
you can stick it in the wall. I bought some heavy duty alligator clips.
I soldered two clips to each end of some electrical wire (stranded, same
guage as an electrical cord for a lamp). I made two of these. I then
desoldered one side of the power line in the IMSAI. I clipped one of my
wires to the desoldered line. I clipped the other end to one prong on the
bulb socket. I soldered a temporary wire into the hole where the
power line I de-soldered went. I clipped the other wire to the end of
this wire. I then clipped the other end to the other prong on the socket.
Your power supply may make this whole process much easier for you. This
wasn't so bad as it is.
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Tue Sep 22 1998 - 00:27:59 BST