Solderless installation
Plug-in harnesses replace the original PSU connectors. No soldering on the motherboard, no chassis modifications, no permanent changes.
ATARI ST
Solderless drop-in PSU kit built around the industrial Mean Well RPD-60A. Replaces the aging original PSU in your Atari ST, STE or Mega ST in about 30 minutes.
What you get ↗
Replace the aging PSU in your Atari ST, STE or Mega ST
The SidecarTridge Mean Well PSU Kit drops a modern, industrial-grade power supply into the bay where your tired original PSU lives. The kit pairs the well-known Mean Well RPD-60A open-frame PSU with a custom riser PCB, the right harnesses and the mounting hardware to fit the original ST/STE/Mega ST chassis. No soldering, no chassis modifications, and one less reason for your machine, your peripherals and your SidecarTridge boards to die a slow death by sagging rails.
From €45 plus taxes. Ships from Spain. Atari ST, STE and Mega ST.
Key features
Industrial Mean Well RPD-60A
Built around the medical/industrial-grade Mean Well RPD-60A, with clean and stable +5V, +12V and -12V rails sized for the Atari ST family.
Custom riser PCB
A dedicated riser board mounts the Mean Well unit in the original PSU bay, lined up with the existing case posts. No glue, no zip ties, no improvisation.
100-240V auto-range input
Universal AC input on both sides of the pond. The PSU detects 110V or 220V automatically, no jumpers, no manual switching.
Complete harness in the box
Motherboard harness with the right JST and TE connectors, AC input cable and Speak-on terminal block. Everything you need to wire the new PSU end to end.
Fits the original PSU bay
Designed for the Atari ST, STE and Mega ST original PSU footprint. No bent metal, no plastic surgery on the case.
What you get in the kit
SidecarTridge Mean Well PSU Kit
from €45 plus taxes
- Riser PCB for the Mean Well RPD-60A, with mounting holes that line up with the original PSU bay
- Mean Well RPD-60A open-frame PSU, 100-240V AC input, +5V / +12V / -12V output
- Motherboard harness: JST VH3.96 6-pin to TE 171822-6 6-pin, 10 cm
- AC input harness: JST VH3.96 3-pin (2 pins wired), 10 cm
- Speak-on 2-pin terminal block for the AC connection
- 8x Philips M3 4 mm screws for the riser and PSU
- 4x M3 nuts and 4x M3 washers for the PSU mounting
The Mean Well RPD-60A is shipped from our stock, in its original packaging.
Installation overview
- Unplug the Atari from the wall and open the case.
- Unscrew the metal RF shield to reach the PSU. On ST and STE only the PSU portion needs to be taken off; on the Mega ST the full shield comes out. The shield is reinstalled at the end, so the machine ends up in its stock configuration.
- Remove the original PSU and keep the screws, you will reuse the bay.
- Mount the Mean Well RPD-60A on the riser PCB with the provided M3 hardware, then bolt the assembly into the original PSU bay.
- Wire the motherboard harness between the new PSU and the existing motherboard connector, and wire the AC input through the Speak-on terminal block.
- Double-check the AC wiring, close the case, and power on.
Step-by-step photos and tips live in the PSU quickstart guide and the SidecarTridge PSU documentation.
Compatibility
| Atari model | Status |
|---|---|
| Atari ST, 1040 STF, STFM | Supported |
| Atari STE | Supported |
| Atari Mega ST | Supported |
| Atari Mega STE | Not supported |
| Atari TT | Untested |
| Atari Falcon | Not supported |
| Atari 520ST (external brick) | Not supported |
The Atari 520ST short uses an external power brick that this kit is not designed to replace. If that is your machine, the External USB-C PD PSU is the right product.
Specs
- Weight: 220 g
- Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 50 mm
- AC input: 100-240V AC, 50/60 Hz, auto-range
- DC output: +5V, +12V, -12V
- Motherboard connector: JST VH3.96 6-pin to TE 171822-6 6-pin harness, 10 cm
- AC connector: 2-pin Speak-on terminal block
- PSU datasheet: Mean Well RPD-60A
Frequently asked questions
Hardware & compatibility
Does it work on 110V mains in North America?
Yes. The Mean Well RPD-60A is a universal-input PSU and accepts anything between 100V and 240V AC at 50/60 Hz. No jumper, no switch, no firmware setting.
Which Atari models are supported?
Atari ST (520ST internal, 1040 STF, STFM), STE and Mega ST are all supported. Mega STE, Falcon and the 520ST external power brick are not. TT has not been tested.
Can I use this kit on the Atari 520ST short with the external brick?
No. The 520ST short was sold with an external power brick instead of an internal PSU. For that machine, the right product is the External USB-C PD PSU, which is a direct replacement for the original external brick.
Installation
How hard is it to open the Atari ST and swap the PSU?
The case is held by a handful of screws and the metal RF shield comes off with another few. On the ST and STE only the PSU portion of the shield needs to be unscrewed, on the Mega ST the full shield is removed. Both go back on at the end, so the machine ends up looking stock. With basic hand tools, attention to the AC wiring and 30 minutes of patience, this is a perfectly approachable job for a hobbyist. There are also video walkthroughs online for opening the case.
Do I need to solder anything?
No. The motherboard side is plug-and-play through the supplied harness. The AC side is wired into the Speak-on terminal block, which is a screw-down connector, not a soldered joint.
Safety
Can the PSU harm my computer?
Once correctly wired and seated, the Mean Well RPD-60A delivers rails that are well inside the Atari ST family’s specs and is safer than a 40-year-old original PSU running on dried-out capacitors. The risk is in the AC wiring on your side: if you swap live and neutral, or leave a Speak-on screw half-tight, you can easily harm yourself or the machine. Follow the quickstart and double-check the AC connections before powering on.
Community & policy
Is this product for me?
Yes, if you enjoy tinkering with your Atari ST family, you are comfortable opening the case and you are happy to wire an AC mains input. The SidecarTridge Mean Well PSU Kit is a homebrew product built for hobbyists who want a long-lived, industrial-grade replacement for their original PSU. It is not a sealed appliance and it is not the right pick if you want a fully external, low-voltage-only solution.
Why can’t I access the store even though you ship to my country?
Access to our products and community spaces requires basic respect. We have zero tolerance for harassment, personal attacks, abusive behaviour or defamatory content toward our team or community. The principle is simple: don’t be abusive. If that principle is violated, access is revoked. We build for people who enjoy experimenting, not for people creating hostility.
