PPC Powerbook PRAM Battery Sources

#1 Sat, 7 Mar 2015 - 06:04 68kMLA

I was thinking about replacing the lithium PRAM battery in my 5300c, because it's dead. I also bought a replacement NiMH PRAM battery for my impending 3400c. I opted not to buy the 5300c battery because it's like $15 and it's honestly just not worth it to me. The 3400c replacement was $7. So it got me thinking that it might be useful to create a sort of database on replacement batteries. I'm not familiar with any beyond these two models/series yet, but here were the best (3400c) and only (5300c) sources I could find.

5300c - VL2330 (6v lithium (2x 3v))

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000X5RIM/- $9.50 + $4.99

3400c - 7.2v (6x 1.2v) NiMH [60mAh]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-2V-80mAh-CMOS-BIOS-Ni-MH-Battery-Pack-/181676870672?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4cc90c10[80 mAh] - $4.99 + $2.00

#2 Sat, 7 Mar 2015 - 19:43 68kMLA

Unfortunately, with RadioShack out of business, you only have mail order for such things. Unless you know of an electronics store and go there and but the battery.

#3 Sat, 7 Mar 2015 - 20:54 68kMLA

Related: how would one look for the extension wire (like for the 3400) - either three or preferably two pinned? I don't even know what it'd be called.

#4 Sun, 8 Mar 2015 - 04:54 68kMLA

Hmmm.... to be ugly, you could cut the wire in 1/2 and then splice a longer piece to it.

Now, this may not work because the connectors wont probably match but you could try for a RC Servo Extension cable. They are cheap on ebay - I got 10 - 18in extension cables for about $5 with free delivery from a US Company. It took a week to get it shipped to me. In fact, this is who I got it from:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-500mm-50cm-Servo-Extension-Lead-Wire-Cable-for-RC-Futaba-JR-Servo-Part-US-/151511779346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2346ce4812

Checking out prices, I seen that they go up and down, from $2 for 5 cables from China with free shipping to $1.50 for a single cable with $3 shipping. Go figure.

But again, the header/connector may not be right but one can switch the cable connectors. That's up to you.

#5 Sun, 8 Mar 2015 - 06:47 68kMLA

You've actually made me think of a caveat to my 3400 source. The original PRAM battery has a three-pronged connector, but the replacement suggestion has a 2-pronged connector. (I pulled the wires out and stuck them in my original three-pronged connector - but it's important to keep that one, or to have a three-pronged connector.)

You think these'll work? http://www.all-battery.com/molexconnector80075.aspx

The others might [the ones for the RC], but I think they'll be too wide. At this point it looks like virtually all the connectors come separate and in 2 or sometimes 4 but not really 3 pins.

But I think this is the cheapest cohesive cable. http://www.impactcomputers.com/922-2693.html?sort=p.price&order=DESC&page=1151&manufacturer_id=11 For me, that would cost $20...

* I was also thinking about trying a lithium replacement. The 7.2v all have crazy high amp-hour ratings. Is it even possible to find something in the 60-80 mAh range?

#6 Tue, 7 Apr 2015 - 00:31 68kMLA

For the record, if anyone buys the PB 3400c/Kanga NiMH battery replacement, black is positive and red is negative: in addition to switching the connector you will need to reverse the wires.

#7 Tue, 7 Apr 2015 - 03:17 68kMLA

Ah, well ...

The native PB 3400c/Kanga battery is LiIon, not NiMH.

AichEss

#8 Tue, 7 Apr 2015 - 03:24 68kMLA

This thread is about PRAM batteries. The native 3400/Kanga PRAM battery is NiMH, not li-ion.