Adafruit Floppy project hardware

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njerwqj
 
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Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by njerwqj »

Hi Folks,
What's the latest on the Adafruit Floppy project? Specifically, the hardware. I've watched all the videos but am a bit confused as to what hardware is actually required to connect a 5.25" floppy drive to a PC to read disks. I heard "Feather" mentioned a few times, but not sure if there is a dedicated board just for the Floppy project.
Fantastic project!
Thanks!

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mikeysklar
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by mikeysklar »

You can use a Feather M4 Express or RP2040 board for the microcontroller running greaseweazl / fluxengine firmware.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4884


The FeatherWing Friend and Super Duper Floppy Flooper are not for sale, but data files are available:

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Floppy
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Floppy_PCB

Those are the keyparts. You will still need IDC adapters and Featherwing expanders.

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njerwqj
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by njerwqj »

Thanks! I apologize in advance for my noob questions. What are Featherwing "expanders"? I searched the site but don't find them.

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mikeysklar
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by mikeysklar »

There is a FeatherWing Tripler and Doubler options for prototyping. Ladyada was using those in the videos. That is what i meant by "expander".

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3417
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2890

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by adafruit2 »

the hardware got delayed by an avalanche of product revisions required by the part shortage - there were like 20 revisions! but we're almost done :)

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njerwqj
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by njerwqj »

Oh cool! I hadn't seen any mention of the project since around January and thought it might have been abandoned. I was trying to piece together from the videos snips and comments what hardware and software was needed to make this actually work, but couldn't figure it out. I look forward to your updates!

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TechnoCuban
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by TechnoCuban »

Along the same lines as this question... I couldn't find any new information on the hardware for use with the Adafruit_Floppy and my particular concern is power for 5.25 drives. I'd like to use a TEAC FD-55GFR and a Pico which I already have to read some 5.25 floppies via Adafruit_Floppy. I am concerned/confused about power. If I supply the drive separately with its normal power connector (12v and 5v) via external supply, will this hurt the Pico since its pins operate at 3.3v? I was hoping there was hardware or a guide that would guide me to the answer. I watched all the videos that included a 5.25 but that part of what was going on was always out-of-frame LOL. Does anyone know how I should wire up the power?

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njerwqj
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by njerwqj »

@TechnoCuban I have the same TEAC 5.25 drive and it needs it's own dedicated 12V to operate. Then you can power whatever is connected to the cable (GreaseWeazle in my case - couldn't wait for the Adafruit Floppy), or the Pico, etc. with it's own power supply.

For the team: Any new updates on the Floppy project?

Thanks

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TechnoCuban
 
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Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware

Post by TechnoCuban »

The power connector on the TEAC has a 12v wire and a 5v wire. Are you saying I should not connect the 5v wire. I don’t understand where the the power will come for the signals that the drive itself sends on the cable. In the data sheet it says the high *output* signals are 5.25v max and since the pico is not 5v tolerant like some other microcontrollers that’s what’s got me worried.

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