The Sinclair QL Forum

I have a CF card adapter (CF-IDE40) connected to a QUBIDE (not an original) but am having problems powering the CF card adapter from pin 20 of the IDE cable

If I connect a 5v supply to the CF adapter it works fine

If I don't connect the 5v supply the power led still comes on suggesting it's getting power from Pin 20, but the card isn't seen

The only jumpers are for 5v/3.3v CF power (set to 5v, no power light if set to 3.3v) and master/slave selection (set to master)

The CF adapter says power is auto detected

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on why it won't work when powered (it seems) from pin 20 please?

Many thanks

This is the CF adapter in question

Hi,

Maybe I misunderstand the question.
When I did this I connected pin 20 to molex connector and pin for 5V.

/Chris

I have a distant memory telling me that some cards only work with 5v. Not sure how true that is.

From what I’ve read “in theory” it should be able to use the 5v on pin 20 without any modifications/cables

I’ve since found an image online showing an adapter plugged directly into the Qubide, rather than on an ide cable like mine, so, as mine can’t plug directly in due to 1 of the 40 holes being blocked, I’ve ordered what looks like an identical adapter to the one in the image, should arrive tomorrow so will see how I get on with that

Many thanks

t0nyt wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:57 am From what I’ve read “in theory” it should be able to use the 5v on pin 20 without any modifications/cables

I’ve since found an image online showing an adapter plugged directly into the Qubide, rather than on an ide cable like mine, so, as mine can’t plug directly in due to 1 of the 40 holes being blocked, I’ve ordered what looks like an identical adapter to the one in the image, should arrive tomorrow so will see how I get on with that

Many thanks

I've hand-drilled the blocked hole out in the past to make them fit.

Thanks Chr$, that did cross my mind but I don’t have a drill bit that small

Will see how I get on with the new one

Many thanks
Tony

Apparently some of those adapters don't work too well - I have one and it didn't recognize the card properly - but it did recognize the flash was inserted, so it must have been getting power - pin 20 had power connected through a diode to avoid issues if the disk / CF card shorts that pin to Ground.

Pr0f wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:23 pm Apparently some of those adapters don't work too well - I have one and it didn't recognize the card properly - but it did recognize the flash was inserted, so it must have been getting power - pin 20 had power connected through a diode to avoid issues if the disk / CF card shorts that pin to Ground.

Thanks Pr0f

The power light and card detect light come on on the adapter just using pin 20, so sounds like the same issue you describe

Will see if the new adapter is any different

Many thanks

Well that was a waste of time, the CF that arrived was identical to the one I had

Can’t be bothered to send it back to Amazon given the price

I just cut the notch out so I could fit it directly to the Qubide and it doesn’t work connected directly either

Not risking buying another though so will have to use PSU (at least until I can find another source)