This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:

>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
>
>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG

Most common three pin is +, -, status.
Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
turn on DC.

If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
with a 1K resistor.

Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.

RL

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:55:47 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>
>>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
>>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
>>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
>>
>>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG
>
>Most common three pin is +, -, status.
>
>Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
>turn on DC.
>
>If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
>with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
>with a 1K resistor.
>
>Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.
>
>RL

Thanks for the comments.

No adapter available, hence the issue. I surmise that 10V would be adequate but
have no idea where to apply and what pins are gnd and sense.

Assuming there was a standard for this type connector, I can get one of these
and take it from there rather than opening it up and having another disassembled
unit sitting around.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800567444101.html

Have lots of 12V adapters around and appears that a 9-15V range is acceptable.

Worth the few dollars and waiting until mid January for it. There are Adapters
for dell units but put out 20v. Seems a smoke test is in my future.

Thanks again!

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 13:12:33 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:55:47 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>>
>>>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
>>>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
>>>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
>>>
>>>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG
>>
>>Most common three pin is +, -, status.
>>
>>Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
>>turn on DC.
>>
>>If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
>>with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
>>with a 1K resistor.
>>
>>Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.
>>
>>RL
>
>Thanks for the comments.
>
>No adapter available, hence the issue. I surmise that 10V would be adequate but
>have no idea where to apply and what pins are gnd and sense.
>
>Assuming there was a standard for this type connector, I can get one of these
>and take it from there rather than opening it up and having another disassembled
>unit sitting around.
>
>https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800567444101.html
>
>Have lots of 12V adapters around and appears that a 9-15V range is acceptable.
>
>Worth the few dollars and waiting until mid January for it. There are Adapters
>for dell units but put out 20v. Seems a smoke test is in my future.
>
>Thanks again!

You've probably already researched and sourced batteries for
your laptop. You may also be able to get an operator's manual.
If the original charger/adapter was labeled as 10V, you should
probably not use anything >12. It suggests that only NiMH
or NiCd batteries were anticipated.

Magitronic may be a rebranded device from a more recognizable
mfr - something that may vary from model to model. This won't
make parts or info any easier to obtain, as such mfrs are not
interested in 20+ year old product.

The adapter looks like it may be aimed at different hardware,
so check polarity. A diode test on the input pins would be
informative, if you haven't cracked open the case to find
out.

When was the last time this thing was powered up?

Any other reason than 'I would like to get going', to work
on this thing?

Even working units that gave faithful service at the time
are of questionable value, now. I maintain a W98 Compaq/HP
laptop for the benefit of older test equipment. All would
be considered as landfill by serious pointy heads in the
industry.

RL

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 14:05:06 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 13:12:33 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:55:47 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
>>>>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
>>>>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
>>>>
>>>>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG
>>>
>>>Most common three pin is +, -, status.
>>>
>>>Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
>>>turn on DC.
>>>
>>>If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
>>>with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
>>>with a 1K resistor.
>>>
>>>Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.
>>>
>>>RL
>>
>>Thanks for the comments.
>>
>>No adapter available, hence the issue. I surmise that 10V would be adequate but
>>have no idea where to apply and what pins are gnd and sense.
>>
>>Assuming there was a standard for this type connector, I can get one of these
>>and take it from there rather than opening it up and having another disassembled
>>unit sitting around.
>>
>>https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800567444101.html
>>
>>Have lots of 12V adapters around and appears that a 9-15V range is acceptable.
>>
>>Worth the few dollars and waiting until mid January for it. There are Adapters
>>for dell units but put out 20v. Seems a smoke test is in my future.
>>
>>Thanks again!
>
>You've probably already researched and sourced batteries for
>your laptop. You may also be able to get an operator's manual.
>If the original charger/adapter was labeled as 10V, you should
>probably not use anything >12. It suggests that only NiMH
>or NiCd batteries were anticipated.
>
>Magitronic may be a rebranded device from a more recognizable
>mfr - something that may vary from model to model. This won't
>make parts or info any easier to obtain, as such mfrs are not
>interested in 20+ year old product.
>
>The adapter looks like it may be aimed at different hardware,
>so check polarity. A diode test on the input pins would be
>informative, if you haven't cracked open the case to find
>out.
>
>When was the last time this thing was powered up?
>
>Any other reason than 'I would like to get going', to work
>on this thing?
>
>Even working units that gave faithful service at the time
>are of questionable value, now. I maintain a W98 Compaq/HP
>laptop for the benefit of older test equipment. All would
>be considered as landfill by serious pointy heads in the
>industry.
>
>RL

Not looking for a useful device, just refurbished museum material rescued from
landfill. Has some value as such. Looking to see if it has any sign of life
before investing time into it. Not mine originally so history not known. Was a
286 Motherboard designer before leaving the field so faint memories help working
with these.

Thanks a lot for the adapter comment. Took a closer look and it is not an exact
fit. May be my only choice to modify other than soldering to the pins directly.

It has built in trackball, modem and Floppy, no CD. Looks to be 486 era Pre
Pentium, DOS WFWG 3.1 likely OS.

Found a duplicate under the Tandy Name.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294852607369

My guess at 12V seems good. Just pinout challenged.

Will probe the input pins after my Internet search totally fails.

Much appreciated !!
S

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:53:08 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 14:05:06 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 13:12:33 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:55:47 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <splork@splork.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
>>>>>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
>>>>>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
>>>>>
>>>>>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG
>>>>
>>>>Most common three pin is +, -, status.
>>>>
>>>>Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
>>>>turn on DC.
>>>>
>>>>If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
>>>>with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
>>>>with a 1K resistor.
>>>>
>>>>Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.
>>>>
>>>>RL
>>>
>>>Thanks for the comments.
>>>
>>>No adapter available, hence the issue. I surmise that 10V would be adequate but
>>>have no idea where to apply and what pins are gnd and sense.
>>>
>>>Assuming there was a standard for this type connector, I can get one of these
>>>and take it from there rather than opening it up and having another disassembled
>>>unit sitting around.
>>>
>>>https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800567444101.html
>>>
>>>Have lots of 12V adapters around and appears that a 9-15V range is acceptable.
>>>
>>>Worth the few dollars and waiting until mid January for it. There are Adapters
>>>for dell units but put out 20v. Seems a smoke test is in my future.
>>>
>>>Thanks again!
>>
>>You've probably already researched and sourced batteries for
>>your laptop. You may also be able to get an operator's manual.
>>If the original charger/adapter was labeled as 10V, you should
>>probably not use anything >12. It suggests that only NiMH
>>or NiCd batteries were anticipated.
>>
>>Magitronic may be a rebranded device from a more recognizable
>>mfr - something that may vary from model to model. This won't
>>make parts or info any easier to obtain, as such mfrs are not
>>interested in 20+ year old product.
>>
>>The adapter looks like it may be aimed at different hardware,
>>so check polarity. A diode test on the input pins would be
>>informative, if you haven't cracked open the case to find
>>out.
>>
>>When was the last time this thing was powered up?
>>
>>Any other reason than 'I would like to get going', to work
>>on this thing?
>>
>>Even working units that gave faithful service at the time
>>are of questionable value, now. I maintain a W98 Compaq/HP
>>laptop for the benefit of older test equipment. All would
>>be considered as landfill by serious pointy heads in the
>>industry.
>>
>>RL
>
>Not looking for a useful device, just refurbished museum material rescued from
>landfill. Has some value as such. Looking to see if it has any sign of life
>before investing time into it. Not mine originally so history not known. Was a
>286 Motherboard designer before leaving the field so faint memories help working
>with these.
>
>Thanks a lot for the adapter comment. Took a closer look and it is not an exact
>fit. May be my only choice to modify other than soldering to the pins directly.
>
>It has built in trackball, modem and Floppy, no CD. Looks to be 486 era Pre
>Pentium, DOS WFWG 3.1 likely OS.
>
>Found a duplicate under the Tandy Name.
>https://www.ebay.com/itm/294852607369
>
>My guess at 12V seems good. Just pinout challenged.
>
>Will probe the input pins after my Internet search totally fails.
>
>Much appreciated !!
>S

It may need a battery inserted, to start with a charger
inserted. Though this need not be a fully functional pack,
it should not be an open cct, or have shorted cells (the
usual NiCd end of life).

If you start soldering connector pins, there's not much likelihood
it will ever achieve 'antique' status, in however many years that
takes.

RL

On Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 11:01:10 PM UTC-5, legg wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:53:08 -0500, Splork <spl...@splork.net> wrote:
>
> >On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 14:05:06 -0500, legg <le...@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
> >
> >>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 13:12:33 -0500, Splork <spl...@splork.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:55:47 -0500, legg <le...@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:40:35 -0500, Splork <spl...@splork.net> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>>This is an old Magitronic Laptop I would like to get going. Has 3 pin power
> >>>>>requirement. Need help in pinout and power assignment. Have not found anything
> >>>>>on the net for some time now. Appreciate any knowledgeable comments.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AufWwXEfoxcngjA0zRVKQftC8kQe?e=AUYVEG
> >>>>
> >>>>Most common three pin is +, -, status.
> >>>>
> >>>>Status line typically grounded through <1Kohm is required to
> >>>>turn on DC.
> >>>>
> >>>>If you've got the adapter, you can identify status line
> >>>>with a voltmeter, while making iterative terminal contacts
> >>>>with a 1K resistor.
> >>>>
> >>>>Adapter rating appears similar to generic laptop chargers.
> >>>>
> >>>>RL
> >>>
> >>>Thanks for the comments.
> >>>
> >>>No adapter available, hence the issue. I surmise that 10V would be adequate but
> >>>have no idea where to apply and what pins are gnd and sense.
> >>>
> >>>Assuming there was a standard for this type connector, I can get one of these
> >>>and take it from there rather than opening it up and having another disassembled
> >>>unit sitting around.
> >>>
> >>>https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800567444101.html
> >>>
> >>>Have lots of 12V adapters around and appears that a 9-15V range is acceptable.
> >>>
> >>>Worth the few dollars and waiting until mid January for it. There are Adapters
> >>>for dell units but put out 20v. Seems a smoke test is in my future.
> >>>
> >>>Thanks again!
> >>
> >>You've probably already researched and sourced batteries for
> >>your laptop. You may also be able to get an operator's manual.
> >>If the original charger/adapter was labeled as 10V, you should
> >>probably not use anything >12. It suggests that only NiMH
> >>or NiCd batteries were anticipated.
> >>
> >>Magitronic may be a rebranded device from a more recognizable
> >>mfr - something that may vary from model to model. This won't
> >>make parts or info any easier to obtain, as such mfrs are not
> >>interested in 20+ year old product.
> >>
> >>The adapter looks like it may be aimed at different hardware,
> >>so check polarity. A diode test on the input pins would be
> >>informative, if you haven't cracked open the case to find
> >>out.
> >>
> >>When was the last time this thing was powered up?
> >>
> >>Any other reason than 'I would like to get going', to work
> >>on this thing?
> >>
> >>Even working units that gave faithful service at the time
> >>are of questionable value, now. I maintain a W98 Compaq/HP
> >>laptop for the benefit of older test equipment. All would
> >>be considered as landfill by serious pointy heads in the
> >>industry.
> >>
> >>RL
> >
> >Not looking for a useful device, just refurbished museum material rescued from
> >landfill. Has some value as such. Looking to see if it has any sign of life
> >before investing time into it. Not mine originally so history not known. Was a
> >286 Motherboard designer before leaving the field so faint memories help working
> >with these.
> >
> >Thanks a lot for the adapter comment. Took a closer look and it is not an exact
> >fit. May be my only choice to modify other than soldering to the pins directly.
> >
> >It has built in trackball, modem and Floppy, no CD. Looks to be 486 era Pre
> >Pentium, DOS WFWG 3.1 likely OS.
> >
> >Found a duplicate under the Tandy Name.
> >https://www.ebay.com/itm/294852607369
> >
> >My guess at 12V seems good. Just pinout challenged.
> >
> >Will probe the input pins after my Internet search totally fails.
> >
> >Much appreciated !!
> >S
>
> It may need a battery inserted, to start with a charger
> inserted.

It looks like there are several watch-sized batteries. Its in many of these foreign-builts.