08-19-2015, 04:48 PM
(08-17-2015, 01:13 PM)admin Wrote: After reading through the link above, it seems that some type of special interface is required? I thought that 8" drives used standard 34 pin connectors (the ones I have seen on eBay appear to). What is necessary? What is the TG43 thing? I have been trying to find a reasonably priced 8" floppy drive. Any ideas on what I should actually be looking for? What about the adapter for a 34 pin connector?
The physical interface is different (50 pin vs. 34 pin for the vast majority of 8" drives). The TG43 line indicates to the drive to use increased write current for inner tracks (most early 8" drives do not keep track of the track they're on so cannot apply this increased current without outside help). The DBIT FDADAP board I linked to in my initial post (http://www.dbit.com/fdadap.html) handles this signal and also adapts the standard PC 34-pin interface to the (mostly) standard 50-pin interface. It's very convenient.
I'd keep my eye out for a Shugart 851, they're reliable and rugged. If you can find one (or two) already in an enclosure, even better, as that'll solve the power requirements (early 8" drives need 24V DC as well as 115V AC for the spindle motor).