Best PRAM Battery?

[Theretrogamingroom]

Yeah, I know. Its been awhile...

Anyways, my current "collection" of PRAM batteries pulled from other machines is starting to die on me left and right. For some of my computers (notably several older macs), they absolutely need working batteries to even boot up! So, I'm off to buy some.

But which brand is best (If any)?

I usually find Tadiran batteries in ~50% of the machines. Should I continue using said brand, or does it even matter at all?

Thanks

 

[MidnightCommando]

I find the Saft LS-14250 to be most reliable, personally, followed by the Tadirans.

Battery quality is much of a muchness, the only really important question is how much damage they'll do if they leak, and how fast it'll happen.

 

[uniserver]

i wonder if you can still buy those VARTA ones?  made in germany… most of those in the SE/s and IIgs's still work..

 

[wilykat]

Maxell are way on the bottom of the list, somewhere below listening to Justin Bieber 24/7 on a deserted island.

 

[Paralel]

My SAFT batteries are rock solid.

 

[finkmac]

Where would be the best place to buy these batteries? 

 

[uniserver]

Alright ... google shopping came through for me again

http://www.batterystore.com/varta-6127101301-cr1-2aa-battery-1-2-aa-3v-950mah-lithium/

6.95

 

[johnklos]

I've just given up on 1/2AA batteries and instead use two lithium AA or AAA batteries in a battery holder held with double sided foam tape. In place of the alkaline cube batteries, I use three AAA and a diode.

 

[Theretrogamingroom]

@Uniserver: I thought PRAM batteries were rated at 3.6V?

 

[trag]

Maxell are way on the bottom of the list, somewhere below listening to Justin Bieber 24/7 on a deserted island.

Well, if Bieber was actually with you on the island crooning away, at least you could roast him and eat him when you got hungry...

 

[trag]

I have not checked in a while, but the last time I did, Frys actually kept the 1/2AA in stock on the shelf. So, if you need a battery in a hurry and have a local Frys, give them a try. They were $6 - $7 the last time I saw them at Frys.

Frys also had the 1/2AA batteries with actual wire leads on the ends in stock, a few years ago. Again, I don't know the current state.

 

[uniserver]

Varta just does it that way.  its how they roll i guess.

 

[Theretrogamingroom]

^ Weird. I pulled a soldered Varta battery from my old Compaq Prolinea 4/66 (Just in time too- it literally just started crystalizing and leaking onto the board, so cleanup was pretty simple). It was rated at 3.6V. I guess perhaps its for specific computers? Who knows

 

[jholt5638]

I went to radio shack to see if they carried the battery and they do at $20 a pop, so I passed. I happened to be at meijer's the other day and saw a battery a CR2 same size and shape as the  1/2AA only rated at 3.0v though seems to be working in my Q700, no double boots and the clock is keeping time. The batteries came in a two pack for $9 and change.

 

[uniserver]

5 bucks says, if you used the VOM, it would say 3.6v

its just like when you go to buy 6v 5ah lead acid batteries for the Mac portable … They are acutely 6.8v.

That Varta replacement, is the exact same part number as the ones apple used in the Mac SE and IIgs, the ones that most of the time are still good even though all these years have passed…  I have yet to have any battery last longer then a Varta.. That's why i decided to add this to the " Best Pram Battery Thread  "    --- Plus i have seen dead Varta Batteries.  Never a leaky one.

 

[Theretrogamingroom]

But anyways, I'll give them (or Saft/Tadiran) a try.

 

[uniserver]

I am talking about Apple here not a compaq.

That batt there is a whole different form factor…  pretty sure Amiga might have used that same form factor.

I will say spcifically for the 1/2 AA kind.

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ones that look like this.

As far as i'm concerned Varta is going to be the best.  But if we want to get super technical.

they will all leak… given enough time.

 

[uniserver]

Maxel -  those are always leaking

saft - made in france - i have seen many leaking

Tard - made in Israel - i have seem many leaking

Vatra - made in Germany - never a leaky one yet.. and i have seen a lot…    SICK amounts of MB's. Some are still good, keeping time, even from 1985 - 1987 ish.

 

[Theretrogamingroom]

Also: Does anybody have a list of Macs that require a PRAM battery to start up correctly? (Some won't unless reseted, some won't at all, etc).