I wanted to replace the backup battery on my PowerBook 1400, but I didn't want to disassemble it for fear of breaking it. I noticed that my model has one pair of backup batteries (two VL2330 rechargeable lithium batteries) inside the main battery compartment. I know that the 166MHz version has two. I purchased a small 90° screwdriver with a ratchet (https://www.amazon.it/dp/B005C45QKI?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1) and a pair of Rome Tech batteries (https://rometechbatteries.com, already soldered together, with wires, resistors like the original, and heat-shrinkable plastic, perfect!).
From the main battery compartment, I used the 90° screwdriver to unscrew the two screws holding the black plastic cover containing the two VL2330 batteries. Then I cut the three wires and I removed the backup batteries. I cut the connector to the new pair of backup batteries, stripped the wires, and soldered them to the old wires one by one, being very careful not to pull them, otherwise I could have disconnected the connector from the computer, and at that point the only solution would have been to disassemble everything. I had previously inserted a small piece of heat-shrink plastic between the three wires, which I then heated with a hair dryer. I repositioned the pair of batteries inside the black plastic cover and reinstalled the two screws. Everything is perfect! Only the battery pack sticks out slightly more because I had to leave the new battery wires slightly longer, so they're now underneath instead of on the side, but that doesn't affect anything; the main battery fits in without a problem. The job took about 1.5 hours, with no risk of breaking any plastic or anything else. Everything works fine now; I just had to reset it the first time I rebooted. Rome Tech is excellent, both in terms of batteries, packaging, and the brief instructions they include.
I hope this helps someone.
PHOTOS:
- PowerBook main battery place
- 2 photos of the ScrewDriver
- The Old Battery (the original one)
From the main battery compartment, I used the 90° screwdriver to unscrew the two screws holding the black plastic cover containing the two VL2330 batteries. Then I cut the three wires and I removed the backup batteries. I cut the connector to the new pair of backup batteries, stripped the wires, and soldered them to the old wires one by one, being very careful not to pull them, otherwise I could have disconnected the connector from the computer, and at that point the only solution would have been to disassemble everything. I had previously inserted a small piece of heat-shrink plastic between the three wires, which I then heated with a hair dryer. I repositioned the pair of batteries inside the black plastic cover and reinstalled the two screws. Everything is perfect! Only the battery pack sticks out slightly more because I had to leave the new battery wires slightly longer, so they're now underneath instead of on the side, but that doesn't affect anything; the main battery fits in without a problem. The job took about 1.5 hours, with no risk of breaking any plastic or anything else. Everything works fine now; I just had to reset it the first time I rebooted. Rome Tech is excellent, both in terms of batteries, packaging, and the brief instructions they include.
I hope this helps someone.
PHOTOS:
- PowerBook main battery place
- 2 photos of the ScrewDriver
- The Old Battery (the original one)
