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Northstar floating point card

Why not just integrate all that discrete logic into a CPLD? That would use less power and generate less heat...

Why not just emulate everything in software? That would use less power and generate less heat...
 
Its more that the N* in the UK runs a transformer that a little 'wild'. The DC lines are way higher than they should be and I could cook an egg on my memory cards.

A reduction in heat is something I am going to have to answer at some point on my machine as I dont want to have to run it on a variac all the time.

A possible that has been suggested would be a hidden DC-DC converter to pull the lines down to the correct 8V & 16V rather than what they actually run at.
 
PCB's ordered

I am thinking about my next project too

Would anyone be interested in the Cromemco DA +7A IO card as I have one I can copy.
 
wakefield-heatsinks.jpg

I'm working with someone on a Cromemco board repro. I just had these made by JLCPCB. Second rev. Geometry was wrong on rev 1 due to missing data on wakefield's spec sheet and my bad assumption. Should have known better. Not cheap. $25 ea for qty 2. Haven't looked into larger quantities yet or other sources. Not sure how many we'll want to order yet. Are you guys interested in possibly joining in on an order?

Original heatsinks can seemingly be had through a special order from Mouser if you want to order a large quantity (and wait). Comes to $8-something as I recall. I forget the qty.

I'm also interested in the N* board under discussion here. If there's a list to get on or something let me know.
 
ajacocks said:
Welcome to the forum @Ken_L .

- Alex
Click to expand...
Thanks, I should have made my first post an intro. Too overloaded with stuff to do and wanted to get the heatsink info out. Came across this thread when I was trying to find sources for the heatsink.

Old geezer here. Was a teenager playing with electronics when the PE Altair article hit. A good buddy and myself built IMSAI-ish systems from a combo of kits, and scratch built pieces. Still fun to play with this stuff and do things that weren't possible back then because of lack of money or availability of parts and info.

Will add more if anyone has questions.
 
Got the card and most chips, but haven't got any time to make it to at present. Probably a couple of months before I get chance.
 
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