Re: IIGS Battery Backup...

[rubywand@aol.com (RUBYWAND)]

In article <4gc8o6$kq2@yama.mcc.ac.uk>, duncane@jumper.mcc.ac.uk (Duncan
Entwisle) writes:

>What's the best way to replace the battery in a IIGS?
>
>Snip the pins and solder a new battery on?
>

   This is not the easiest way.


>Is there a better way that would allow me to replace it again without
having
>to snip and resolder again (some for of battery holder?)
>

    If you can find a 3.6V Lithium battery and holder that fit the space
you have, this may be an okay way to go. A metal battery holder could be
difficult to fit-in without risking all sorts of shorting (e.g. to the
power supply or to nearby circuit traces).

   The BEST solution is to get a Slide-On replacement battery from Nite
Owl. The Slide-On battery for IIgs has springy leads that slide over the
cut-off leads from the old battery on the motherboard. Installation is
super-easy with no soldering required. (I got one about 5 years ago; it's
still in service.)

   The batteries sell for around $10 each. The last number I have for Nite
Owl is 913-362-9898.


>Will the machine run sans battery? That way I could snip it out and look
what
>voltage/ampage it runs at :-) without sacrificing my use of the IIGS
while
>waiting for a new battery.
>

   It should; but, it will start up with the default Control Panel
settings each time it's turned ON.


>Is the heat from the iron likely to cause damage to the board

   It could.

>(so should I snip as far away from the board as possible

   About 1 inch if you're going to solder leads from a new battery to
leads on the board. It's a good idea to 'tin' the lead ends and make a
mechanical connection before soldering the leads together. Hold the
battery lead you want to solder from the battery side using long-nosed
pliers-- this will 'sink' most of the heat and protect the battery.

   While you're doing all this, avoid touching a battery lead to any
nearby circuit traces. 

   Be sure to WEAR GOGGLES!

>- how do I stop the new battery from wobbling if its not directly pressed
against the motherboard)
>

   The leads are fairly stiff. Mainly, the battery needs to be low enough
to be out of the way of the power supply.


>If you have to solder leads from a new battery ....
>Will the heat from the iron make the battery go boom?

   If you let a lot of heat get to the battery, bad things may happen.
Lithium batteries do not like heat. >>> WEAR GOGGLES <<< 



Rubywand