ADAM Computer System Power Supply

The Coleco ADAM Computer System Power Supply by Arcade Shopper is a specialized aftermarket hardware solution designed to resolve the Coleco ADAM’s most infamous engineering flaw: its absolute reliance on its heavy factory printer.

The Problem It Solved

When Coleco engineered the ADAM in 1983, they chose not to include a power transformer inside the main memory console. Instead, the massive SmartWriter Daisy Wheel Printer houses the power supply for the entire computer system.

Because of this setup, owners are natively forced to plug in and turn on the loud, bulky printer just to operate the computer—even if they only want to play a standard ColecoVision cartridge or use an external disk drive. If the printer breaks down or takes up too much desk space, the computer becomes completely unusable.

Hardware Architecture & Features

The Arcade Shopper Adam Replacement Power Supply acts as a modern standalone power brick that permanently takes the place of the SmartWriter printer.

• Industrial Core: The unit is built around a high-quality, regulated Mean Well power supply core. This ensures stable, highly efficient power delivery that protects the computer's delicate, vintage logic circuits.
• Multi-Rail Outputs: It cleanly delivers the three distinct voltages required by the ADAM console to boot and run its internal Digital Data Pack tape drives: +5VDC, +12VDC, and -5VDC.
• Desktop-Friendly Design: The enclosure leaves the plastic unpainted in its original industrial color tone. It is engineered to sit cleanly behind, beside, or directly on top of your ADAM memory console to significantly cut down on desk clutter.
• User Interface Quirks: The face of the unit features an integrated, heavy-duty physical power toggle switch paired with a front-facing LED power indicator light so you know when steady current is flowing.
• Interface Cable: It includes the standard power cord and the custom wiring harness required to plug directly into the ADAM's side-mounted DB-9 power input port.

Availability

The power brick historically retails for $120.00 directly through the Arcade Shopper Classic Computers Store, though it frequently moves in and out of stock due to the boutique, low-run nature of retro-computing hardware components