Today I decided to get out the Mac Classic II I got for my 15th birthday and restore it. Aside from the original CRT I was able to round up all of my original components, which were placed into two regular Classics when I had my Classic lab project a few years ago.
Most of the components wound up in one machine. However, the analog board was placed in another. When I opened the machine I saw something black on the chassis and at first thought it was a major capacitor leak. However, I looked closer at the board and saw a leaky battery. This battery is relatively new--it was installed in 2007.
The logic board itself is pretty much ruined and given that I already have a spare Classic logic board it's not a big loss. However, I'm more concerned about what to do with the rest of this machine. The case itself is in good shape and I really don't want to get rid of it, so I'll likely remove the chassis and logic board. (The CRT is also good in this computer and the RAM can easily be placed in another Mac). My big question is this--how do I safely work with and dispose of this battery? I'm probably going to take the components to the guys who handle computer recycling around here, as they are able to dispose of components in a legal and environmentally friendly manner (I've taken tons of stuff to this place before) but I want to make sure I'm OK with this battery.
Another concern is that my right index finger touched some of the leaked battery component. I washed my hands with regular liquid hand soap and water after wiping the bulk of it on the chassis itself. I'm not sure what the effects of the battery "juice" are on humans but I really don't want to be the test subject. As of now nothing has happened (the finger that touched the battery is helping to type this message). Has anyone else ever touched PRAM battery "juice" and if so, how concerned should I be? Also, what type of gloves would be best to use when working with electronics? I will probably start wearing them whenever I work on Macs from now on in case this happens again. (I'd order a box of latex gloves from Fisher Scientific but I'm not sure how latex would be with the components, possible electric charges, protection from harmful battery fluids, etc).
On a positive note the Classic II I restored is up and running without checkerboard issues. All I need to do now is find a keyboard and mouse that match its case color and it will be good to go.
Most of the components wound up in one machine. However, the analog board was placed in another. When I opened the machine I saw something black on the chassis and at first thought it was a major capacitor leak. However, I looked closer at the board and saw a leaky battery. This battery is relatively new--it was installed in 2007.
The logic board itself is pretty much ruined and given that I already have a spare Classic logic board it's not a big loss. However, I'm more concerned about what to do with the rest of this machine. The case itself is in good shape and I really don't want to get rid of it, so I'll likely remove the chassis and logic board. (The CRT is also good in this computer and the RAM can easily be placed in another Mac). My big question is this--how do I safely work with and dispose of this battery? I'm probably going to take the components to the guys who handle computer recycling around here, as they are able to dispose of components in a legal and environmentally friendly manner (I've taken tons of stuff to this place before) but I want to make sure I'm OK with this battery.
Another concern is that my right index finger touched some of the leaked battery component. I washed my hands with regular liquid hand soap and water after wiping the bulk of it on the chassis itself. I'm not sure what the effects of the battery "juice" are on humans but I really don't want to be the test subject. As of now nothing has happened (the finger that touched the battery is helping to type this message). Has anyone else ever touched PRAM battery "juice" and if so, how concerned should I be? Also, what type of gloves would be best to use when working with electronics? I will probably start wearing them whenever I work on Macs from now on in case this happens again. (I'd order a box of latex gloves from Fisher Scientific but I'm not sure how latex would be with the components, possible electric charges, protection from harmful battery fluids, etc).
On a positive note the Classic II I restored is up and running without checkerboard issues. All I need to do now is find a keyboard and mouse that match its case color and it will be good to go.
