To clip or not to clip - MacII PRAM batteries

[macdownunder]

Greetings all,

Having read about PRAM battery and capacitor leakage issues, I have just plucked up the courage to get my Mac II, IIx and IIfx machines down and check their motherboards.

To my great surprise (unlike my usual bad luck), the three machines' internals look great. I didn't have a multimeter to check the batteries before I had to return them.

So - to my poll question. Where the PRAM batteries are soldered the question is:

To clip them off or not to clip them off?

I clipped the AA batteries off all my Lisa machines when I first got them a few years back and have no problem doing this if it means preserving the machines.

However, I welcome advice about the best method of preservation.

Thanks all too,

Macdownunder

 

[MultiFinder]

As long as they aren't leaking, leave 'em there. Just make sure to check them periodically and make sure that they don't start to leak. If they do start, clip and clean. As long as they stay non-leaky, I say leave 'em.

 

[gobabushka]

my vote would be for preventative maintainence. id clip them and solider on an aa battery holder

 

[Unknown_K]

The mac II has them soldered onto the motherboard, if the batteries are dead clip them and solder in some battery holders. Not sure about the IIx but the IIfx should have battery holders in there so just remove the batteries and keep the holders in place.

None of those 3 machine will boot with a bettery of some kind installed.

 

[LCGuy]

I'd solder in a battery holder and use a new battery, personally.

 

[Bolle]

i did clip mine in the SE and soldered a new battery back in place... i thought about soldering in a battery holder, but its more retro the way i did

 

[aftermac]

Currently, I have the same dilemma with my Mac II. After referring to Apple's Service Manual, I have decided to clip the batteries and install new battery holders. Since this is Apple's official recommendation it seems to be the most authentic thing to do.

 

[Unknown_K]

If the machine is not 100% new looking then having the original batteries in it will not help the resale value anyway (if you worry about that sort of thing).

I worry more about usability then keeping a machine 100% stock. I do keep all the parts I remove if I do want to put it back to stock config (and don't cut holes in it), but installing battery holders would not bother me.

 

[macintoshman]

Just get new pram batterys. Look at this LC:

http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1330

:O

PRAM Batterys are a danger to all macs! :'(

 

[Unknown_K]

I have yet too see dead pram batteries leak in a mac. The ones used in Amigas (rechargables) do seem to leak with age and kill things.

 

[aftermac]

I have yet too see dead pram batteries leak in a mac. The ones used in Amigas (rechargables) do seem to leak with age and kill things.

Ah, but they do. I've been going through my collection and sadly 2 of my 4 PowerMac 6100's were destroyed. Motherboard, power supply, and case on both of them. I was able to salvage the floppy and hard drives.

I'm pulling batteries from all of my computers in storage because of this. One of my Mac II's still has soldered batteries that are good (amazing), so that computer will be permanently plugged in and checked regularly.

I am also going to set up a regular schedule to power them up for the sake of the capacitors.

 

[Maccess]

The Tadiran Mothership.

Any of the Tadiran (I've also seen some National Panasonic Branded ones) depicted here make good substitutes. Just clip off the leads and use them as posts. Remove battery terminal ends from the plastic holders, then with some tweaking, you'll be able to socket them into the leads.