Tiny C64 PSU Rejects Tradition, Embraces USB
The Commodore 64 has traditionally required a bulky iron-core transformer for its power needs. A new product, the PD-64, utilizes USB-PD technology to provide a more compact power solution. This innovative design includes a circuit that effectively converts and isolates the necessary voltages for the C64.
- ▪The PD-64 covers the power port of the C64 and is significantly smaller than traditional power supplies.
- ▪It requests 12 VDC and steps it down to 5 VDC while also inverting it to 9 VAC.
- ▪The design includes a circuit that provides galvanic isolation between the outputs.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Tiny C64 PSU Rejects Tradition, Embraces USB No comments by: Tyler August May 26, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy The Commodore 64 has, by modern standards, the interesting power requirement of needing both 5 VDC and 9 VAC. Traditionally, one would use an iron-core transformer to step-down the wall current — be it 220 V or 115 V, 50 Hz or 60 Hz — to produce the low-voltage AC. That’s how Commodore did it, and that’s how most of the aftermarket replacements do it, too. That iron-core transformer is bulky, though, and [Side Projects Lab] decided that in this day and age of switching supplies and USB-PD he could surely do better. Which he did, with the diminutive PD-64. As you can see, it just covers the power port of the C64, and not much else.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Hackaday.
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