While the 1541 Ultimate 2 tape extender has a good length for the C64 and C128, it’s not long enough for the C128D, nor does it fit in the tape slot. Here’s a small hack that I’ve made to fix that.
I only had SIL headers available when I made this, so I soldered 2 x 2×5 pins together creating a 10p male-male IDC header. I had to custom make the cable as it didn’t make a 1:1 connection from the original extender cable to the tape header.
If you’re creating one like this, make note that a standard 10p IDC cable doesn’t work here as the extender cable isn’t standard connected to the header. All odd numbers on the extender cable is connected to even numbers on the IDC header, though the direction is corret. See table below for reference.
| Extender pin | IDC Cable pin |
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 6 |
| 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 8 | 7 |
| 9 | 10 |
| 10 | 9 |
The tape header on the extender is too wide to be plugged into the C128D. I was lazy and only connected 6 wires here, but recommended is connecting all 10 to prevent noise/stray signals (Thanks e5frog).
This is something a Dremmel can take care of, just cut off the additional plastic used for screws.
Violá, ready to use the 1541 Ultimate 2 tape extender.
Don’t know which of the two adapters you’re using on the 1541U-II but why not just open the connectors (or connector and resolder cable if you have the small adapter), remove ribbon cable and replace it with a longer one?
The ground cables are there to reduce interference between signals, I’d not recommend skipping them or use a cable where they are bunched up together.
This was a quick fix. And I didn’t want to destroy the original cable as I use it for my C64’s as well. But I had Gideon (the guy who makes and sells the 1541 Ultimate carts) make me a new adapter with proper length cable so I have something only for my C128D.
If you’re refering to me not using all the pins on the adapter itself, those pins aren’t being used on the original cable either. Only pins 1-6 are used.
Btw, you shouldn’t have time to read my simple articles. I have a PLA (through a friend) needing to be made and shipped from you 😛 Really looking forward for that, good work btw 🙂
Not destroy, just modify. 😉
I understand if you didn’t want to take the risk.
My adapter, the small one at the cartridge end has every second wire connected to ground, so five ground and five for signals. I have an early version, perhaps he changed it from this perfect design to something less perfect for some reason…? Here’s an example showing the ground connections of the small adapter card:
http://s18.postimg.org/rsqltq1ex/001_Img_2977.jpg
I’d guess you have the four “unused” cables connected to ground as well – you may not need to hook them up to get it to work but it’s a good idea to have them in the ribbon cable.
If I measure the five pins in the row closest to the edge of the datassette side they are all connected together.
Too bad Gideon couldn’t get the narrow type connector so it would fit all machines, I had to cut into the first version of the adapter to make the datassette have a proper connection.
http://s30.postimg.org/6v8vjsey9/Img_2997.jpg
After that he made the narrow version you have.
I’m at Martin’s order, all the others have been shipped, had to wait for some more parts as I accepted some more orders than I initially planned for. So, no later than next week, no earlier than tomorrow. 😉
If you stop writing interesting stuff I’ll have more time doing what I should do instead of what I want to do. 😉
Not destroy, just modify. 😉
I understand if you didn’t want to take the risk.
My adapter, the small one at the cartridge end has every second wire connected to ground, so five ground and five for signals. I have an early version, perhaps he changed it from this perfect design to something less perfect for some reason…? Here’s an example showing the ground connections of the small adapter card:
http://s18.postimg.org/rsqltq1ex/001_Img_2977.jpg
I’d guess you have the four “unused” cables connected to ground as well – you may not need to hook them up to get it to work but it’s a good idea to have them in the ribbon cable.
If I measure the five pins in the row closest to the edge of the datassette side they are all connected together.
Too bad Gideon couldn’t get the narrow type connector so it would fit all machines, I had to cut into the first version of the adapter to make the datassette have a proper connection.
http://s30.postimg.org/6v8vjsey9/Img_2997.jpg
After that he made the narrow version you have.
Just shipped those U17 PLAnktons for you…
I had to read my post again, it’s been a while since I wrote it anyway. And you’re of course right. I’ll fix the post when time permits 😉
Thanks for shipping, I know you’re busy, and from time to time lacking parts, we are a few who’ll be the happy new owners of this. Looking forward to test this.
While a few of my articles might be interesting, I’d think its a good thing that scanning takes up most of my time, so you can do some work hehe.
(I approved both of your comments, let me know if you want me to delete one of them).