The Sinclair QL Forum

Finally Michele Perini got the permission from Rick Dickinson to publish his great work on the Sinclair QL external Microdrive unit and finish his work.

Here the 3D printed files:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1wwsmviiqhvw ... tOBSa?dl=0

Here the original post in our preservation group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sinclairpreservation/

Enjoy

Hi,

Looks great. But I have fitted my vDrive into the QL case along with the QLSD.

Thrown the Microdrives away, along with the heat sink and power regulator. I fitted a Traco DC-DC converter. But I am waiting the Tetroid replacement power supply.

Derek_Stewart wrote: But I am waiting the Tetroid replacement power supply.

What Tetroid replacement power supply?? I certainly hope so

Derek_Stewart wrote:Hi,

Looks great. But I have fitted my vDrive into the QL case along with the QLSD.

Thrown the Microdrives away, along with the heat sink and power regulator. I fitted a Traco DC-DC converter. But I am waiting the Tetroid replacement power supply.

First: seems that Dave Park made a version that is smaller than the Tetroid one and don't need to be cooled and cost less

Second: you haven't replied to Michele when he asked you something about create a case for your creature "the Q68"

Third: Traco is not working well with Gold Cards, the Tetroid replacement works only with earlier disk interfaces (I've tested and solded because I can't use it at all).

Fourth: Viva l'Italia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outsoft wrote:

Derek_Stewart wrote:Hi,

Looks great. But I have fitted my vDrive into the QL case along with the QLSD.

Thrown the Microdrives away, along with the heat sink and power regulator. I fitted a Traco DC-DC converter. But I am waiting the Tetroid replacement power supply.

First: seems that Dave Park made a version that is smaller than the Tetroid one and don't need to be cooled and cost less

Second: you haven't replied to Michele when he asked you something about create a case for your creature "the Q68"

Third: Traco is not working well with Gold Cards, the Tetroid replacement works only with earlier disk interfaces (I've tested and solded because I can't use it at all).

Fourth: Viva l'Italia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In reverse order....

Fourth:I like l'Italia, food, drink etc...

Third: Not the Traco TSR 1-2450, which supplies 1 amp, but the TSR 2-2450 2 amp version.

Second: I am sorry I did reply, I have been a little busy.

First: There has been no comparison published.

If someone would like to have a free one of my Q-bucks, I'll send a review unit for free, and it can be kept. I do not expect any favorable treatment.

Derek_Stewart wrote:

Outsoft wrote:

Derek_Stewart wrote:Hi,

Looks great. But I have fitted my vDrive into the QL case along with the QLSD.

Thrown the Microdrives away, along with the heat sink and power regulator. I fitted a Traco DC-DC converter. But I am waiting the Tetroid replacement power supply.

First: seems that Dave Park made a version that is smaller than the Tetroid one and don't need to be cooled and cost less

Second: you haven't replied to Michele when he asked you something about create a case for your creature "the Q68"

Third: Traco is not working well with Gold Cards, the Tetroid replacement works only with earlier disk interfaces (I've tested and solded because I can't use it at all).

Fourth: Viva l'Italia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In reverse order....

Fourth:I like l'Italia, food, drink etc...

Third: Not the Traco TSR 1-2450, which supplies 1 amp, but the TSR 2-2450 2 amp version.

Second: I am sorry I did reply, I have been a little busy.

First: There has been no comparison published.

I am sorry about the error in point 2, I mean to say: "I am sorry I did NOT reply, I have been a little busy.

I am sorry for the mix up, I was using my mobile phone.

"
In reverse order....

Fourth:I like l'Italia, food, drink etc..."

And People involved in QL stuff too

"
Third: Not the Traco TSR 1-2450, which supplies 1 amp, but the TSR 2-2450 2 amp version."

The same: Use it the 2 AMP version and is not ok too

"
Second: I am sorry I did reply, I have been a little busy."

Don't worry, we have imagined

"
First: There has been no comparison published.[/quote]"

Yes but there will be soon


"

I am sorry about the error in point 2, I mean to say: "I am sorry I did NOT reply, I have been a little busy.

I am sorry for the mix up, I was using my mobile phone.[/quote]"


Don't worry, I've understand

W Michele!!!

Dave wrote:If someone would like to have a free one of my Q-bucks, I'll send a review unit for free, and it can be kept. I do not expect any favorable treatment.

Me and Michele know very well what are you doing so we will be...not friendly...more than that

Hey, tetroid’s power regulator is basically adequate but was designed for simplicity and cheapness of assembly. It works. It gets a little warm, but that isn’t a problem.

The Tracos are noisy. They really need a couple of big electrolytics and a .1uF and 1uF on the input to filter some noise. They actually have a reasonably clean output but put a lot of noise on the 9v line. There are a lot of fake Tracos out there - if you bought it on eBay it is more likely fake than genuine.

One downside with buck regulators is they can sink a LOT of current into your QL if there is a problem. My Q-buck has a very fast acting current limiter.

PS the microdrive case design is great. Will it take a real microdrive if I make an adapter board for it?