Re: IIGS Battery Backup...

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <4gc8o6$kq2@yama.mcc.ac.uk>,
Duncan Entwisle <duncane@jumper.mcc.ac.uk> wrote:
> What's the best way to replace the battery in a IIGS?

In a ROM 3, it is quite easy - the battery is socketed, so you just
need to find one that is physically and electrically compatible.

I assume you mean a ROM 1, where the battery is soldered into the
motherboard.

The safest method is to cut the pins as close to the old battery as
possible, then CLIP a new battery in place of it.  Nite Owl supplied a
replacement battery for a ROM 1 IIgs which had clips supplied with it
(I haven't seen one for ages, but I think it was a couple of alligator
clips which slid onto the battery pins at the other end).  If these
are still available, they would be your best option.  I don't know if
there are any alternative sources - I used to suggest Resource Central.

If you can't set up a clip arrangement, the next best option is to
solder the leads of the new battery onto the old battery leads, after
cutting the old battery off (again, as close to the battery as possible).

Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to desolder the old leads from the
motherboard, and try to avoid heating up the leads to the point where
the motherboard connection is affected.

> Will the machine run sans battery?

Yes, but it will be a nuisance.  The clock will lose the time, and the
Control Panel will revert to its default settings every time you turn
the machine on.  You can use a battery RAM backup/restore utility to
restore the settings each time you boot (you may have to fiddle with
the Control Panel before you boot, especially any "Your Card"
selections in the Slots page).

> Will the heat from the iron make the battery go boom?

Probably, if you heat it too long.  A quick burst to tin the lead,
followed by another burst to solder it to the other lead (previously
tinned) should be fine.

If the battery has long leads, then you should solder as far away from
the battery as possible, to reduce the heat transferred.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand