Alternative solution for batteries ?

[Lastic]

First time posting here.
After owning iBooks and PowerPCs , I caved and acquired a local Powerbook 145B in pristine condition albeit with a non-functional battery.
In researching all solutions on to make this portable euhm -portable- again thus running of a battery, I might have found another solution than rebuilding batteries.

There are these heated-vest batteries that supply 7.4V DC output and thus can hook up to the DC input where the powersupply normally goes.

This works rather well, only quirk I haven't found one that actually fits in the battery tray.
I currently have one sitting next to the Powerbook and it works perfectly.

This is the one I found to be available to me here in Europe , it's just a few millimeters too thick to slide it into the battery tray.

https://www.amazon.com/CANBORY-Compatible-Clothing-%F0%9D%9F%8F6%F0%9D%9F%8E%F0%9D%9F%8E%F0%9D%9F%8E%F0%9D%90%A6%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%A1-Battery/dp/B0D5WK6BP3

Also being from Europe my buying options are limited since most of these heated vest things target the US buyers.
Like this one for example

Amazon.com: Smarkey 7.4v 5000mAh Heated Jacket Battery with Charger Cable Replacement Backup Pack for Hoodies, Vests, Down Coat : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Amazon.com: Smarkey 7.4v 5000mAh Heated Jacket Battery with Charger Cable Replacement Backup Pack for Hoodies, Vests, Down Coat : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

www.amazon.com

Just wanted to share my find , maybe others may find it usefull.

 

[Shaddam IV]

I buy 5 1.2 V NiCd batteries with solder lug and solder them in line. Source e.g. https://www.akkuman.de/shop/Mexcel-Akku-AA-12V-800mAh-NS80AAI-LFU. I have several old Powerbook batteries that I cut open; i put my new NiCds in there, connect my new pack's end lugs to the Powerbook battery's metal strips (watch the polarity), tape the battery shut and Bob's your uncle. Mind that these packs hold power for maybe 15 minutes if you're lucky. But they're great to keep the PRAM settings when the computer is off - the PRAM batteries of these old machines is usually dead, and they're really trick to replace (in my view; your mileage may vary).
You could also use NiMH batteries with the AA form factor; however, they tend to get warm when charging and frankly I haven't seen any great improvement in operating time from them. Have fun!

 

[jmacz]

I rebuilt the batteries on a PowerBook 160 with Sanyo NiCd cells, same size as the originals and it lasted 90 minutes to 120 minutes consistently. The main thing was it only fully charged with Apple‘s external charger. When inside the Powerbook, it charged only partially and lasted 20 minutes. The theory (in another thread) is a shot thermal sensor in the battery compartment (looks like a small SMD resistor). Heard many folks experienced this too even back in the day. Point being it might not be your rebuilt battery but your laptops ability to fully charge it. The external charger not does not have a thermal cut off, I think it’s purely delta peak or some other voltage based cutoff. That’s a theory anyway.

For the original poster, sounds interesting. But does that mean you will have a dangling cord that comes out and plugs into the DC IN on the outside? I would think wiring to the inside of the DC IN (inside the case) is dangerous because someone might plug in the power adapter on the outside jack which would not be good while that jacket battery is wired on the inside.

 

[Lastic]

I rebuilt the batteries on a PowerBook 160 with Sanyo NiCd cells, same size as the originals and it lasted 90 minutes to 120 minutes consistently. The main thing was it only fully charged with Apple‘s external charger. When inside the Powerbook, it charged only partially and lasted 20 minutes. The theory (in another thread) is a shot thermal sensor in the battery compartment (looks like a small SMD resistor). Heard many folks experienced this too even back in the day. Point being it might not be your rebuilt battery but your laptops ability to fully charge it. The external charger not does not have a thermal cut off, I think it’s purely delta peak or some other voltage based cutoff. That’s a theory anyway.

For the original poster, sounds interesting. But does that mean you will have a dangling cord that comes out and plugs into the DC IN on the outside? I would think wiring to the inside of the DC IN (inside the case) is dangerous because someone might plug in the power adapter on the outside jack which would not be good while that jacket battery is wired on the inside.

Yes correct I have a cable going from the DC IN to the DC out on the battery sitting next to the Powerbook.

Hence trying to find such a battery which I could rest inside the battery tray (without any connections) and then just have the external DC cable going to the DC IN at the back of the Powerbook. It's a "dangling" cord setup but at least it's not stuck to an outlet using the original power supply.