Emulator Pi1541-III Disk Drive 1541 + Epyx Fastload Cartridge, RPi3A+

The device is an emulator of the 1541 disk drive based on Raspberry Pi 3A+.

PCB color: white.

Functionality:

The Pi1541 allows you to play disk images on Commodore computers using a 32GB microSD card. Compatible models include:

• Commodore 64
• Commodore 128
• Commodore VIC-20
• Commodore 16
• Commodore Plus/4

The set includes:

• Power cable with USB plug from the included 5V power adapter.
• 5V power adapter.
• Serial IEC cable for the disk drive.
• Epyx Fastload Cartridge with a reset button (available button colors: white, red, green, yellow, blue).
  The cartridge speeds up disk operations up to 8 times.
• Knob in gold, black, silver, red, and blue colors.

Technical highlights:

• Compatibility that shines:
  Nearly 100% compatibility with the original, including support for many fast loaders (even those with copied originals and demo scene gems). Unlike heuristic guessing in SD2IEC, the 6502 code runs in full cycle-exact mode, just like in 1982.
• Sci-fi-like operating modes:
  • Minimal SD2IEC mode (for browsing PRG and D64 files).
  • Full 1541/1581 emulation after loading a disk image.
  • Support for reading and writing, multiple channels, and sequential files.
• Classy hardware:
  • Mounted on Raspberry Pi 3A+ (version without RJ45 and 3 USB ports compared to Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+).
  • PCB with logic level converter (5V CBM → 3.3V Pi).
  • IEC connectors and chain option (possibility of daisy-chaining with other drives – real or emulated).
  • Version III equipped with a 1.3" OLED display and rotary encoder – folder navigation like on a smartphone, no cumbersome joystick control.
• Media support:
  • Ability to store hundreds of D64 files on an SD card (up to 32GB+).
  • File browsing via Pi keyboard/screen or C64 commands (LOAD "",8", LOAD"",8,1, or simply Commodore button + Run/Stop – only possible with the Epyx Fastload cartridge).
  • Write support – but remember, this is retro! Always back up before your cat sits on the card.
• Power and assembly:
  • Powered by the included 5V power adapter.
  • Compact enclosure.

Based on the project:

https://github.com/tebl/C64-Pi1541-III

Watch the video:

YouTube Video