The right Beagleboard xM + PSU

I’m just checking that I am looking at the right Beagleboard xM before I actually order one.

Is this one the one I want to run RISC OS on?
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1823269

Do Farnell do a compatible PSU. Or can anyone suggest somewhere I can get a suitable PSU in Norway?

Thanks in advance
Stan

Yes, that’s the one.

For PSU, Farnell stock thousands. I haven’t tried it, but this one should work, among many others
http://uk.farnell.com/xp-power/vep15us05/psu-ac-dc-10-w-plug-top-5v-2a/dp/1716974
or this one for more current than you’ll probably want (and most likely less efficient as a result):
http://uk.farnell.com/xp-power/vep24us05/psu-ac-dc-24-w-plug-top-5v-2-5a/dp/1716978

Don’t forget to get the right (EU?) mains plug for it… see down the bottom of those pages.

Yes, that’s the one. It doesn’t say what revision it is, but AFAIK the xM rev.C is now fine with RISC OS (can someone confirm this?).

beagleboard.org recommends this DigiKey PSU and also has a link to the (apparently now out-of-date) shopping list. I guess you’ll probably need this Schuko adapter for Norway. Terje may be able to advise on a Norwegian supplier. If you’re missing all the other gubbins, CJE in the UK have put together an Accessory Pack.

Thanks for the replies. I found it a bit difficult to see actually which revision the Farnell board was. Probably missed something obvious there. I’m aware of CJE’s Accessory pack, most of the things I will need I have here from other projects.

Getting the right mains plug is not an issue. Besides various UK to EU adaptors I also have a four way extension lead with UK sockets that I can use.

Thanks for the pointers to the Beagleboard website. It hadn’t occurred to me to go looking for PSU information there.

I bought my BBxM from Farnell a few months back; it was revision C. I’m sure you will get nothing earlier than that.

One thing missing from the BB as supplied is the battery for the real time clock. You can get that from Farnell too. Note two things:

1. you MUST remove a resistor from the BBxM BEFORE adding the battery, as the resistor is actually a dead short across the battery;
2. the battery must be soldered in. It’s a through hole component, and the BBxM provides appropriate holes. If you’ve ever done electronic soldering before, it’s dead easy; if you haven’t, find someone to do it for you.

My xM came from Farnell 2 weeks ago. It’s a rev C. I first used a random 5V 300mA PSU that was lying around… BB came up, but Linux kernel panicked. I had more of a rummage and found one that gives 2A and that was fine. As long as yours has regulated 5V at sufficient amps that should be fine. The Farnell one I listed above is a switching PSU, so should be well-regulated and efficient. Digikey’s postage is rather painful for small orders, so unless you’re getting the xM as well I wouldn’t use them just for a PSU.

Be aware that some of Farnell’s PSUs come with no mains plug at all – they just have contacts in which you slot in the appropriate plug. You just have to buy the right one.

Thanks to you all. Beagleboard and PSU ordered. I should get them next week sometime.

@Dave Higton
What issue can I expect from not having a real time clock battery?
Is there a How To with pictures for the battery mod?
Thanks in advance
Stan

What issue can I expect from not having a real time clock battery?

The BB will default to 1970 January 2nd every time you power it up. Until you set the clock (be it manually or by interrogating an NTP server), all files (including any log files) that the BB writes will have file dates/times in 1970.

Is there a How To with pictures for the battery mod?

Yes, in the appropriate BeagleBoard System Reference Manual. That’s what I worked from. Just remember to remove the resistor BEFORE you even try the battery in place, as the resistor is in fact a zero ohm link across the battery terminals, i.e. a dead short.