Hey all - I recently just rebuilt new set of PRAM batteries for my PowerBook 1400/166, It has dual PRAM batteries in it (only 166 models has dual pram batteries), but I've came into a drama with it...
I copied and made new pack with rechargeable VL2330 batteries, from old one using the original wires and I used battery spot welder with new tabs & soldered the wires on, then I installed it in my 1400.
It worked for a day, then;
The issue I had;
1) trackpad button stopped working which I realised something had gone wrong - I haven't yet fault find why (see below).
2) I noticed it didn't hold the clock time & settings etc
I opened it up tonight to see what was going on, I noticed 1 battery out of 2 was ok, other one was dead, I also noticed the plastic holder that holds the batteries in had 'melted' which means it got hot and somehow that battery went dead (zero charge) and other one was showing 3.1v. -> that was both dual batteries both had same symptoms.
I checked like 5-7 times if I connected up the wires correctly and I did.
I checked if it wasn't shorted even in the body - it wasn't.
To date as posting this message; I removed both PRAM batteries and I decided to swap over the trackpad from spare parts 1400 & reassemble it, as I was more concerned about the motherboard but the trackpad from spare parts is ok but I couldn't be bothered to check the other original trackpad if it was working or not as its getting late tonight.
My thoughts what had gone wrong - I think using spot welder has "over current" weld and caused a very very very tiny hole on the battery which it was not obvious, causing overheat & discharge as the 1400 was trying to charge at the same time?
I am prepared to try again with new set of batteries but I don't want to go through same problem again. Thoughts?
Cheers
AP
Side note; This PB1400 has rebuilt main battery - working very well, running off 44pin to SD, Sonnet 466mhz upgrade.
Quote Reply
I copied and made new pack with rechargeable VL2330 batteries, from old one using the original wires and I used battery spot welder with new tabs & soldered the wires on, then I installed it in my 1400.
It worked for a day, then;
The issue I had;
1) trackpad button stopped working which I realised something had gone wrong - I haven't yet fault find why (see below).
2) I noticed it didn't hold the clock time & settings etc
I opened it up tonight to see what was going on, I noticed 1 battery out of 2 was ok, other one was dead, I also noticed the plastic holder that holds the batteries in had 'melted' which means it got hot and somehow that battery went dead (zero charge) and other one was showing 3.1v. -> that was both dual batteries both had same symptoms.
I checked like 5-7 times if I connected up the wires correctly and I did.
I checked if it wasn't shorted even in the body - it wasn't.
To date as posting this message; I removed both PRAM batteries and I decided to swap over the trackpad from spare parts 1400 & reassemble it, as I was more concerned about the motherboard but the trackpad from spare parts is ok but I couldn't be bothered to check the other original trackpad if it was working or not as its getting late tonight.
My thoughts what had gone wrong - I think using spot welder has "over current" weld and caused a very very very tiny hole on the battery which it was not obvious, causing overheat & discharge as the 1400 was trying to charge at the same time?
I am prepared to try again with new set of batteries but I don't want to go through same problem again. Thoughts?
Cheers
AP
Side note; This PB1400 has rebuilt main battery - working very well, running off 44pin to SD, Sonnet 466mhz upgrade.
Quote Reply