Where to buy batteries

Anyway I need a replacement battery (M 7318) and a PRAM battery (616-0108).
Robert Boucher wrote on :

I was given a bare powerbook. I THINK it is a G3 black case, bronze keys. Anyway I need a replacement battery (M 7318) and a PRAM battery (616-0108). I have been searching for a source, perferably online, to buy both batteries.

Any suggestions?

Spam Survivor replied on :

For the main battery, try:

http://www.madsonline.com

Not sure about PRAM

Rgrds

Larry

On 29/12/2003 11:00, in article 3FEF8AD7.77B6@redacted.invalid, "Robert Boucher" boucher1@redacted.invalid wrote:

I was given a bare powerbook. I THINK it is a G3 black case, bronze keys. Anyway I need a replacement battery (M 7318) and a PRAM battery (616-0108). I have been searching for a source, perferably online, to buy both batteries.

Any suggestions?

John Johnson replied on :

In article 3FEF8AD7.77B6@redacted.invalid, Robert Boucher boucher1@redacted.invalid wrote:

I was given a bare powerbook. I THINK it is a G3 black case, bronze keys. Anyway I need a replacement battery (M 7318) and a PRAM battery (616-0108). I have been searching for a source, perferably online, to buy both batteries.

If your PowerBook has a bronze keyboard then it is either the "Lombard" or "Pismo." The Lombard has USB but not FireWire. The Pismo has USB and FireWire. This is the easiest way of determining the machine type if you cannot turn it on.

Any suggestions?

In both cases, you can search the web and come up with many many places that sell such things. Apple no longer sells batteries for the Pismo (which I own), or if they do they don't advertise them. I know that at least two companies manufacture main batteries: BTI and (forgot the other company name).

If you are looking for recomendations, you would do well to search the archives of the group for names of manufacturers and resellers that people like and don't like. This type of question comes up often, and while the quality of service and price changes, previous information can be quite helpful.

Some online companies that I've dealt with in the past that should carry both sorts of batteries include:

CDW: www.cdw.com

SmallDog electronics: smalldog.com

I wouldn't discount brick and mortar stores without looking first. I've often found that the difference in price between mail order and retail was small enough that my desire to have the object right now overwhelmed my thrift. I also firmly believe in buying local (sometimes, at least) in order to support stores that provide good service and/or help out the Mac community in my area. YMMV.

Alain OLIVIER replied on :

Robert Boucher boucher1@redacted.invalid wrote:

I need a replacement battery (M 7318)

<http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Page.cfm?Parent=999&Title=PowerBook%2 0Accessories&Template=>

B Collins replied on :

Robert Boucher wrote:

I was given a bare powerbook. I THINK it is a G3 black case, bronze keys. Anyway I need a replacement battery (M 7318) and a PRAM battery (616-0108). I have been searching for a source, perferably online, to buy both batteries.

Any suggestions?

You have gotten replies about the main battery.

For the Backup Battery (which you are calling the PRAM battery) the situation is not quite as simple. You have to do extensive disassembly of the PowerBook to get at it. You may not need to replace it, however. The backup batteries in PowerBooks are rechargeable batteries, unlike PRAM batteries in desktop Macs. The main battery serves as the primary PRAM battery, with the backup battery only intended to keep the PRAM alive if the main battery is dead and the machine is not hooked up to AC power.

Once you replace the main battery and hook the machine up to AC power, you may find the PowerBook works fine and does not need a new backup battery.

If really think you need to replace the internal backup battery, get advice and assistance. Some sources include MacResQ.com PBParts.com PowerBookGuy.com

There may be others.

Robert Boucher replied on :

B Collins wrote:

For the Backup Battery (which you are calling the PRAM battery) the situation is not quite as simple. You have to do extensive disassembly of the PowerBook to get at it. You may not need to replace it, however. The backup batteries in PowerBooks are rechargeable batteries, unlike PRAM batteries in desktop Macs. The main battery serves as the primary PRAM battery, with the backup battery only intended to keep the PRAM alive if the main battery is dead and the machine is not hooked up to AC power.

I really appreciate your help, but I think you might be mistaken on your advice. It took less than a minute to get the PRAM battery out of the Pismo. Pull down on two tabs at the top of the keyboard, lift the keyboard out, and there was the battery.Unplug a connector and slide the battery out.Also, most info on a Google search indicated if the clock would not maintain the correct time, it was probably the PRAM battery. The clock wouldn't hold time if disconnected from the AC for only a second or two.(No main battery installed). This after I had kept the AC connected for 48 hours.

Once you replace the main battery and hook the machine up to AC power, you may find the PowerBook works fine and does not need a new backup battery.

If this works, I now have a spare battery.

Again, thanks for your response.

B Collins replied on :

Robert Boucher wrote:

B Collins wrote:

For the Backup Battery (which you are calling the PRAM battery) the situation is not quite as simple. You have to do extensive disassembly of the PowerBook to get at it. You may not need to replace it, however. The backup batteries in PowerBooks are rechargeable batteries, unlike PRAM batteries in desktop Macs. The main battery serves as the primary PRAM battery, with the backup battery only intended to keep the PRAM alive if the main battery is dead and the machine is not hooked up to AC power.

I really appreciate your help, but I think you might be mistaken on your advice. It took less than a minute to get the PRAM battery out of the Pismo. Pull down on two tabs at the top of the keyboard, lift the keyboard out, and there was the battery.Unplug a connector and slide the battery out.Also, most info on a Google search indicated if the clock would not maintain the correct time, it was probably the PRAM battery. The clock wouldn't hold time if disconnected from the AC for only a second or two.(No main battery installed). This after I had kept the AC connected for 48 hours.

Once you replace the main battery and hook the machine up to AC power, you may find the PowerBook works fine and does not need a new backup battery.

If this works, I now have a spare battery.

Again, thanks for your response.

OK, Thanks for the info. I was going on the basis of the Wallstreet, which has the backup battery buried deep inside. I guess Apple made it more accessible on the later PBs.

Bill

Spam Survivor replied on :

Hi grp:

Would appreciate a description of tidiest way to disassemble G4 Powerbook (667 - 15") to replace the PRAM battery.

Best I could find on the Apple support site was 'see your local Apple dealer'.

I,ve got a set of Torx screwdrivers: I just don't want to disrupt the unit any more than necessary.

Tx.

Larry

On 30/12/2003 12:19, in article 3FF0D2B7.453CCE5B@redacted.invalid, "B Collins" bbcollins@redacted.invalid wrote:

OK, Thanks for the info. I was going on the basis of the Wallstreet, which has the backup battery buried deep inside. I guess Apple made it more accessible on the later PBs.

Bill

John Johnson replied on :

In article BC19EE0A.27719%admin@redacted.invalid, Spam Survivor admin@redacted.invalid wrote:

Hi grp:

Would appreciate a description of tidiest way to disassemble G4 Powerbook (667 - 15") to replace the PRAM battery.

Best I could find on the Apple support site was 'see your local Apple dealer'.

I,ve got a set of Torx screwdrivers: I just don't want to disrupt the unit any more than necessary.

I looked around on Google, and the closese to this that I could find was an article from Macworld: http://www.macworld.com/2001/02/bc/13insidepb/

In the picture showing the DVD drive partially out of the case (17th or 18th pic), there appears to be a battery attached to the underside of the top of the case. It is possible that this is the PRAM battery. You might be able to read the part number in the picture and compare it to that given for the battery in question.

This article should also give you some idea whether you wish to attempt to do the replacement yourself.

Tx.

Larry

On 30/12/2003 12:19, in article 3FF0D2B7.453CCE5B@redacted.invalid, "B Collins" bbcollins@redacted.invalid wrote:

OK, Thanks for the info. I was going on the basis of the Wallstreet, which has the backup battery buried deep inside. I guess Apple made it more accessible on the later PBs.

Bill

Tom Harrington replied on :

In article BC19EE0A.27719%admin@redacted.invalid, Spam Survivor admin@redacted.invalid wrote:

Would appreciate a description of tidiest way to disassemble G4 Powerbook (667 - 15") to replace the PRAM battery.

Best I could find on the Apple support site was 'see your local Apple dealer'.

I,ve got a set of Torx screwdrivers: I just don't want to disrupt the unit any more than necessary.

When I needed to disassemble my TiBook, I was able to find an Apple service manual, after searching Google. Still got it. You could probably find it too. I'd email it but of course I have no idea what your email address is.