Apple IIe Power Cord Question

14 posts / 0 new
Last post
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 3 months ago
Joined: Aug 2 2014 - 09:58
Posts: 2
Apple IIe Power Cord Question

Hello. I just inherited an Apple IIe system, but the power cord to go from the wall socket to the main CPU is mysteriously missing. The power supply in the computer is an Astec (part AA11040B, 115VAC 50/60Hz) and probably the original to the system. It looks to have the same connection as my modern PC's but I don't want to risk destroying it with guesswork. I haven't been able to find anywhere what cord I need for this computer, and can't seem to find any for sale specifically for it. Can anyone tell me what cord I need for this, and perhaps where I can get one? Thank you in advance for humoring this ignorant peon.

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 10 months ago
Joined: May 27 2009 - 01:37
Posts: 1002
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

I use my PC power cords all the time.

Here2Learn's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 months 1 week ago
Joined: May 22 2013 - 20:37
Posts: 178
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

HELL YEAH!! One I know the answer to. It is the same kind of cord. Go for it.

BillO's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 5 months ago
Joined: Jun 20 2014 - 18:03
Posts: 258
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

3rd vote here. The correct cord is a PC cord. One and the same.

Offline
Last seen: 2 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2013 - 13:01
Posts: 849
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

The non-platinum unenhanced iie had a problem with heat from the power supply, resulting in the necessity of a Kensington System Saver. It was not recommended that you run your iie for more than 15 minutes if you did not have a Kensington System Saver. So, technically, the correct "power cord" is a Kensington System Saver for those iie computers.

--My 2 cents.

Offline
Last seen: 10 years 3 months ago
Joined: Aug 2 2014 - 09:58
Posts: 2
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

Thanks, everyone who responded! I think this unit has historically been fine without a system saver, but if it starts acting up I will definitely invest in one. Much obliged!

Offline
Last seen: 1 year 10 months ago
Joined: May 27 2009 - 01:37
Posts: 1002
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

You can just put a small pc fan in there and blow the air around. The case then becomes a radiative heat exchanger. A kind of "Stealth System Saver"..

I had this working with:

0- Microsoft RamCard 16K
1- Grappler+
2- AppleCat II + 212 card
3- Videx 80 column
4- Z80
5- Sider HDD interface
6- Disk II
7- TimeMaster II H.O.
A- Videx keyboard enhancer
B- Lowercase chip
C- Sup'R'Mod RF modulator

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 2 months ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

The non-platinum unenhanced iie had a problem with heat from the power supply, resulting in the necessity of a Kensington System Saver. It was not recommended that you run your iie for more than 15 minutes if you did not have a Kensington System Saver. So, technically, the correct "power cord" is a Kensington System Saver for those iie computers.

Wait, what? That's not right. Don't get me wrong, I think keeping the IIe and cards cool is a good thing, but the Kensington System Saver's main claim to fame was that it was a convenientlssy placed power switch.

Offline
Last seen: 3 years 8 months ago
Joined: Feb 17 2013 - 16:18
Posts: 149
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

The non-platinum unenhanced iie had a problem with heat from the power supply, resulting in the necessity of a Kensington System Saver. It was not recommended that you run your iie for more than 15 minutes if you did not have a Kensington System Saver. So, technically, the correct "power cord" is a Kensington System Saver for those iie computers.

Wait, what? That's not right. Don't get me wrong, I think keeping the IIe and cards cool is a good thing, but the Kensington System Saver's main claim to fame was that it was a convenientlssy placed power switch.

Well, maybe. My probably-NOS Apple //e, equipped with a 1MB RAMWorks card, SSC, Transwarp, parallel card, Thunderclock, and Disk II card, will crash or reboot after 15 minutes or so without a System Saver.

My Platinum //e did the same thing, but I connected a couple of small (40mm, I think) fans to the +5v pads conveniently located at the front of the motherboard and kind of wedged them in the case under the keyboard. They provide little airflow but it's enough to keep the system from crashing.

(I think it's the Transwarp card that pushes them over the edge...)

Offline
Last seen: 2 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2013 - 13:01
Posts: 849
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

The non-platinum unenhanced iie had a problem with heat from the power supply, resulting in the necessity of a Kensington System Saver. It was not recommended that you run your iie for more than 15 minutes if you did not have a Kensington System Saver. So, technically, the correct "power cord" is a Kensington System Saver for those iie computers.

Wait, what? That's not right. Don't get me wrong, I think keeping the IIe and cards cool is a good thing, but the Kensington System Saver's main claim to fame was that it was a convenientlssy placed power switch.

The system saver also had two power outlets on the back of it, one was usually used for the monitor.

The main source of heat on a non-platinum unenhanced iie comes from the power supply. Without any cooling or more amperage, you're just asking for trouble. It'll happen sooner or later.

Offline
Last seen: 5 hours 15 min ago
Joined: Jun 18 2010 - 13:54
Posts: 793
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

I think the only reasonable answer is to spend $99 for a "shielded" Monster power cable.

Or maybe this:
Rare 1984 Apple Macintosh Mac 128k/512k Power Cord Cable

Offline
Last seen: 2 years 2 months ago
Joined: May 27 2013 - 13:01
Posts: 849
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

I think the only reasonable answer is to spend $99 for a "shielded" Monster power cable.

Or maybe this:
Rare 1984 Apple Macintosh Mac 128k/512k Power Cord Cable

Shielding prevents interference, but usually it's done with a line conditioner.

Here2Learn's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 months 1 week ago
Joined: May 22 2013 - 20:37
Posts: 178
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question

I think the only reasonable answer is to spend $99 for a "shielded" Monster power cable.

Or maybe this:
Rare 1984 Apple Macintosh Mac 128k/512k Power Cord Cable

What is even funnier is that one sold at that price.

BillO's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 5 months ago
Joined: Jun 20 2014 - 18:03
Posts: 258
Re: Apple IIe Power Cord Question


What is even funnier is that one sold at that price.

But is that laughable, or really, really sad?

Hmmm, you know, at that price I have enough of those around here for a nice little vacation...

Log in or register to post comments