Amiga A1200 eSATAp Project
I finally got my A1200 eSATAp project finished.
See my A3000D eSATAp project for tools needed.
Additional tools are hacksaw, file, vise.
look over all the pictures before starting this project. I plan to place the pictures in an order for each step of the project. This requires soldering on the Amiga and drilling two holes in the case. If you are unwilling to make modifications to the Amiga.... STOP.
Be aware that static can kill the Amiga so ground yourself with a ground strap. In north America we use a split phase system 240 across the transformer with center tap which is neutral and bonded to earth ground. Voltages are 120 volts 60hz to neutral for lights and small appliances, water heaters, AC units are 240 vac 60hz. Our 120 vac will tickle you but over the pond 240 vac 50hz will KILL you.
Take your time on this project.
Disassemble the A1200, remove the keyboard, floppy drive and power connector, led lights connector, and HD IDE cable and bracket. Remove the small plastic cover on the rear right that is used for expansion adaptors.
On the SATA to eSATAp adapter mod, remove the circuit board from the bracket and cut off each end of the mounting bracket as shown. On an old pc bracket break off the two ears and solder them to the eSATAp bracket as shown separated by about .75" or 19.05mm. I used thumb tacks to hold everything for soldering. Thin the mounting bracket be for soldering the ears keep everything good and level. Get the bracket good and hot so the solder will flow and allow to cool before moving. Check that the ears have a strong bond make file off any solder that may interfere withe the bracket and the case. The circuit board needs to be filed off by about 1mm from the RFI shield on the left side for clearance. On the case there are plastic will interfere with the bracket notch the bracket for clearance. Attach the circuit board to the mounting bracket and position it in the case where it would fit and make a reference mark on the right of the bracket to the case, Remove the circuit board and place the bracket to the mark. Make sure everything is level and with a sharpie pen mark the two mounting ears to the case and drill the holes with a drill bit that is slightly larger than the screws, you may need longer screws and use tapered screws so they don't stick out. Mount the circuit board back on the bracket. I found it is easier to connect the power and SATA cable before mounting the adapter to the Amiga. Route the cables as shown using tape where there may be interference.
Making up the power cables, I used the wiring from a pc PSU making it long enough (approx.. 20 inches or .508 m) to reach the eSATAp adapter and to the IDE2SATA adapter. Solder all the wires of each color to one wire for easier soldering to the circuit board, use heat shrink tubing and heat it with a heat gun or a match. For a ground, scrape the silkscreen (green paint) thin the area and thin each wire and solder them to the circuit board as shown. The black wire is the longest to reach the ground on the mother board. The cable shown is a mockup held together with tubing.
With an ohm meter check for shorts to ground from the red and yellow wires. Turn on the Amiga should boot up, check that the yellow wire has +12 volts, and the red has +5 volts. Turn off the Amiga and connect the wiring connectors and the SATA cable and the eSATAp adapter place tape on the unused eSATAp connector and screw it to the case.
Reassemble the Amiga using care with the keyboard connector and the added wiring for clearance. This will make it much easier to transfer files from a windozzz pc to the Amigas and backing up the WD and Work partitions to an back up drive will be a cinch.
Enjoy