If you're like me, you're thinking that you'd like to own a Commodore 1581 Disk Drive, but the crazy high prices have kept you away from realizing your dream. Well, here is your chance to build your very own Commodore 1581 replica disk drive.

This is the new version, the next iteration in the evolution of my 1581 PCB. I've further refined the design through further optimization of traces, and re-positioning of some components to allow easier connections to the IEC/Device Selection and Power link points when building a dual drive. The C5 issue has been resolved as well as the silk screen mis-naming that was present in the last version of the board.

The exciting new addition is the inclusion of optionally installing 28 surface mounted LEDs directly to the perimeter of the PCB. This is comprised of 14 LEDs on the top and 14 LEDs on the bottom. You may install any combination you'd like. For example, you could install only lighting on the bottom of the drive, or perhaps a different color between the top and bottom. It's really a blank canvas for your creativity to shine (literally).

As with the previous versions, this new version 2.5 still allows for the 1581D/1582 connections for linking two boards together when the builder wants to construct their own DUAL 1581 Drive (1581D/1582). Improvements over previous versions are noted above.

It should be said that important builder information is provided in the BOM (included in this shared project). Please read through the entire BOM before ordering parts and/or building the board.

This is my 1581 Enhanced board. The PCB itself is based on the original board design, and as such, is compatible with the original case. Placement of the ports and switches are in the original locations. I wanted to make this board for the community in a way that anyone wanting a 1581 with a bit of skill (or friends with the skills required to assemble this) could have one of these drives for a fraction of the cost of an original drive.

The board itself supports standard Amiga modified floppy drives, and with the Toms adapter board ( https://gitlab.com/toms01/1581-pc-drive-adapter ), all you need for a floppy drive is virtually ANY 1.44 IBM compatible floppy drive mech. The PCB supports single or dual drive ROMS, so you can for example have just the original DOS rom, or you can have JiffyDOS and the original rom (switchable from a jumper on the board).

I've also enhanced the board such that you no longer need to use an original Commodore 1541-II/1581 power supply. Once built, you can power this board with ANY power supply between 7.5 and 25VDC. Either powering methods have been maintained on the board, and are selectable with a single jumper setting. This means, if you want to power it with any power supply you have laying around within those parameters, you can. Or, you can power the drive with a factory power supply. Only one method can be active at any time, so no damage can occur. I implore you however to observe the polarity markings on the PCB when hooking power up to the Alternate power circuit. Always best to double check before applying power.

The W65C02 is not TTL compatible and as such, is not supported by this board. The proper configuration is noted in the BOM.

As with my previous board revisions, I'm also not restricting the use of this board. So you can purchase PCB's for yourself, or you can purchase a truck-load and sell them in your shop or on eBay. Do what you like with the boards. All I ask is if you're selling them, please link back to https://corei64.com . I am not however giving the Gerbers away, because providing them through PCBWay ensures you're going to get a quality product, and the small percentage I get from purchases of this board from PCBWay helps fund my ongoing efforts to provide other cool projects to our community.

Your support is always greatly appreciated.

Everything you need to build this board can be found right here. The BOM contains a list of the parts you may choose to order. Obviously you should find the best vendor that works for you. All links provided are there for your reference. Feel free to find the required parts from the best location and for the best price that works for you, your budget and location.

Enjoy!

P.S. If there's anything you feel should be added to the BOM, please let me know and I will update it.