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Macintosh Portable battery replacement

Retro Rider

Well-known member
I got a Macintosh portable with the original battery, and of course, the battery was dead and wouldn't charge. I looked online about how to (try and) turn it on. It worked but the only weird thing about it is that I need to use a Powerbook power adapter with it (good thing it came with both a Macintosh portable charger and Powerbook charger) and I kinda got to fiddle with it a little bit to get it on. But, I turned it on for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the happy mac! Now, I need a new battery and I know you can make one for super cheap. I know that it needs to be a 6v/5amp battery though. I'm pretty sure you can get one at Walmart for around $10, maybe like this one. You would also need gator clips (or other wires), but I don't know of a store nearby that sells them or how much they would be. Any help or advice?

 
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MOS8_030

Well-known member
In the past I have used a 0809-0012 Cyclon Battery trimmed down to fit into the original battery case.

portable_battery_1.jpg

 
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Retro Rider

Well-known member
Can you send a link? I can't really find it, but the ones that I think I've found are $70+. Does the portable only take lead-acid batteries, because those die easily.

 
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Retro Rider

Well-known member
Also, would you be able to use a 6 volt 4.5ah, I'm having a pretty hard time finding 6 volt 5ah lead acid batteries in any stores

 

MOS8_030

Well-known member
  yes, it just won't last as long between charges.

Batteries Plus usually stocks various sealed lead-acid batteries.

 

Retro Rider

Well-known member
I've found a battery, but now I need a wire to connect it to the terminals. What/where's the best place to get them (it has F1 terminals)? 

 

jhorvath911

Well-known member
Just a quick bit of info don't use the PowerBook adapter, you're going to kill the portable.

Also you should have this topic moved to the 68k PowerBook forum, its more likely to get noticed by those who can help.

 
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MOS8_030

Well-known member
The Portable is meant to be operated with a good battery in it at all times.

The charger for the Portable isn't meant to (can't) power the Portable without a battery.

Using the Powerbook charger may make the Portable work for a while but it will damage circuitry and kill the Portable.

 
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Juror22

Well-known member
The Portable is meant to be operated with a good battery in it at all times.

The charger for the Portable isn't meant to (can't) power the Portable without a battery.

Using the Powerbook charger may make the Portable work for a while but it will damage circuitry and kill the Portable.
I cannot stress enough that this is a fact - DO NOT attempt to start the Macintosh portable with anything other than the correct charger and both fully functioning  batteries.  Oh, and test the Macintosh portable's correct charger to see if the output voltage is correct - some of them need to be recapped by now.

The first one I bought died from this exact scenario, before we knew it was a thing.

Its too bad that bad information on the internet can't be rescinded or at least annotated.  New folks are going to keep finding this bad advice forever.

 
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Retro Rider

Well-known member
I haven't done it too much, at least I hope not, I think only 2 or 3 times. I've been looking for replacements found one but idk how the internal battery connectors are. Just so I'm clear, I still don't have the batteries I'm talking about

 

Retro Rider

Well-known member
I know this is so late, but do you think you could get a lithium ion battery w the specs needed and put it in the portable? It would be better in terms of charging since lithium ions don't completely die when the capacity is depleted.
 

MOS8_030

Well-known member
Lithium ion batteries require a charger and charging system designed for lithium ion batteries.
The Portable charger and charging system is designed for a sealed lead-acid battery.
So, no, you can't use a lithium ion battery in a Macintosh Portable, at least not without extensive modification of the Portable and the charger.
 

Retro Rider

Well-known member
Lithium ion batteries require a charger and charging system designed for lithium ion batteries.
The Portable charger and charging system is designed for a sealed lead-acid battery.
So, no, you can't use a lithium ion battery in a Macintosh Portable, at least not without extensive modification of the Portable and the charger.
oh, ok that makes sense.

Can you just put it in the portable, and then charge it in a lithium ion charger when it needs to be charged though?
 
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