Last week I found this YouTube video on building a low cost VIC-20 two-prong power supply. The video is from 5 years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3WDOUbzKZM
I was able to zoom in on the part of the video that shows the power adapter. It's has the following markings:
Model #: K10145WHGN-1
Voltage: 9VAC
Power Rating: 25VA
I ordered two of the adapters, and received them about a week later. While waiting, I went to a local large thrift store that has a large supply of used power adapters and cords. I found several two-prong adapter cords that looked correct, and bought two for about $2 each.
Following the steps in the video, I cut one of the cords and crimped on two 16-14 AWG spade terminals. I then connected the cable to the adapter, and plugged it in so that I could test the voltage at the two-prong connector before trying it on a VIC-20 board. It was a little over 9V as expected. I connected it to a working VIC-20 board that I had just repaired, and the system booted fine. I checked the voltages at the user and cassette ports, and they were 5V. I got the same 5V readings for the BASIC and KERNAL chips (pin 24). I left the system running for a while to check chip heat, and they were normal (warm for this version of the VIC-20).
As an aside, I never really learned how to crimp on connectors very well in the past. So I used this YouTube video to help me with the process of creating a quality crimp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goxVeefDpQg
It's not a pretty solution, but at least I can sell a used two-prong VIC-20 with a power supply now. I'm thinking about buying more adapters to see if I can take one apart and put it in a nice housing, and have a corded two-prong wall plug come out of the other side of the housing so that it looks more like a power supply. And besides, the adapter is large and takes up a lot of outlet space.
Have fun!
Joe
Build a two-prong power supply for cheap!
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