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!
Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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- mikeysklar
- Posts: 13824
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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.
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.
- njerwqj
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:57 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
Thanks! I apologize in advance for my noob questions. What are Featherwing "expanders"? I searched the site but don't find them.
- mikeysklar
- Posts: 13824
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3417
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2890
- adafruit2
- Posts: 22111
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:36 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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 :)
- njerwqj
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:57 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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!
- TechnoCuban
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 12:52 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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?
- njerwqj
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:57 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
@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
For the team: Any new updates on the Floppy project?
Thanks
- TechnoCuban
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 12:52 pm
Re: Adafruit Floppy project hardware
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.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.