Powerbook PRAM batteries

[khannonnd]

Are PRAM batteries in the 180 and 500 series Powerbooks prone to leakage?  Are they easy to get at for someone, like me, who is leery about opening up closed machines?

 

[Paralel]

You should be able to get to the 500 series PRAM through the battery bay without taking the machine apart, if memory serves me correctly. Its pretty well sealed, they're buttons cells in a thick thermowrap package, in an enclosed plastic storage area, but I guess they could cause problems some day in the distant future.

It will be difficult working in such a constrained space to get it out, but it should be possible.

 

[Paralel]

I was indeed able to get to the PRAM through the battery bay on my 540c and remove the PRAM battery cover, remove the battery, and replace the cover all without any disassembly of the system.

 

[Paralel]

Oh, also, if anyone wants to replace the PRAM backup battery in their 500 series powerbook, its 2 Panasonic VL2330 in opposition (one up, one down). On the top the face of each cell is connected together and connects to a common white wire, on the bottom, the black wire connects to the face of the L cell, the red wire connects to the face of the R cell, if the wires are facing away from you.

 

[MikeatOSX]

I was indeed able to get to the PRAM through the battery bay on my 540c and remove the PRAM battery cover, remove the battery, and replace the cover all without any disassembly of the system.

Amazing!How did you re-connect the battery plug?

 

[Paralel]

I didn't. Finding replacement PRAM batteries for blackbirds is very difficult. The cells themselves aren't hard to come by, but then you'd actually have to assemble it yourself. That's why I included the construction of the battery pack above, to help anyone that wants to make their own.

 

[techknight]

if your fortunate enough to have a batteries plus nearby, they have the equipment to make them. 

 

[Carboy7]

Sadly, I think the batteries are in an area too small to get with even the teeniest hands... My precision is awful, so a screwdriver is out of the question... May I ask that you show a picture of the tools needed to take that battery out?

 

[Paralel]

I used a pair of tweezers, exactly like these:

If you want more length and precision, I suggest a pair of surgical tweezers:

 

[MikeatOSX]

I still can't imagine how to do this without opening the case: the battery cables are very short.

 

[MikeatOSX]

Second picture of a PB 540c PRAM Battery (case).

 

[MikeatOSX]

And PowerBook 1xx "Panasonic VL2320 or VL2330" batteries (with the exception of PB 100) are soldered to the "interconnect board".

 

[Paralel]

I'm used to working in small spaces as a result of surgical training, so maybe that's it.