2 Jul
2006
2 Jul
'06
10:12 a.m.
[apologies to the list for not trimming the OP's post... some posts
come in as one long line of text -- that Tbird fails to wrap. This
was one such post... :< ]
John D. Reeve wrote:
Hello All. I have a Compaq Portable III (286) that is
functioning fine, except that the clock loses time (it seems to basically stop) if the
machine is off more than an hour. It does remember its setup information, however, and
there are no error messages during boot-up. I imagine it needs a new battery - where
would I find one for such an old machine? The battery does hold a charge for at least
some time, according to my meter readings, so maybe it isn't the battery? Thanks for
any help.
I doubt you will find *the* battery. Or, if you do, you may decide
it's not worth the price! :>
I simply removed the battery from my machines (it is soldered to
the PCB but comes off easy -- remove the plastic clip-on bracket
before doing so) and soldered a pigtail with a two-pin connector
on the end. I chose the connector to mate with the 3xAAA NiMH's
batteries that I have (probably surplus cordless phone packs?).
So, I just plug a new battery whenever (*if* ever!) one dies.
(so far, the replacement has never died).
The plastic "clip-on bracket" is just the right size to wrap
around the NiMH battery -- though I also put a piece of self-adhesive
velcro on the battery to guarantee it never flops around inside
the case.
And, a small diode (4148/914) in series with the pigtail
as "cheap insurance" to guard against a battery plugged in
backwards (I suspect the PCB artwork may not contain such
a diode -- though it *might* for UL).
HTH,
--don