A4000 Battery Question

[AlaskaCC]

I just received my A4000 today and discovered some battery leakage as noted in the pic.  I'm not planning on powering up until I get this resolved.  I'll keep reading for the best fix.  Thanks.

AlaskaCC

[TjLaZer]

Doesn't matter if you power up or not.  You need to remove the battery ASAP!  It's eating through your motherboard as you read this...

[SACC-guy]

If you just bought this motherboard and you are planning to keep it.

REMOVE the battery NOW!

If you do not accept this motherboard as is, ask for your money back.
(it may work, but the acid is and will continue to destroy whatever it touches)

M

[AmiDude]

Those damn Ni-Cd batteries! :pissed:
Remember to always ask for clear pictures of the battery area before
you buy an A2000/A3000/A4000!

[Nlandas]

Here is a page with some good information on what do to. I recommend removing everything and taking out the motherboard. Remove the battery and clean the board with the recommended cleaning supplies. Clean it really well to make sure all the acid is gone.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~davem2/overclock/batt.html

[Sandman]

Check out the bottom of the card right above the battery too.  I had a Retina Z3 that had some trace damage due to sitting right above the battery in my A3000.

[Nlandas]

Here is a page with some good information on what do to. I recommend removing everything and taking out the motherboard. Remove the battery and clean the board with the recommended cleaning supplies. Clean it really well to make sure all the acid is gone.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~davem2/overclock/batt.html

[AlaskaCC]

Thanks for the comments.  I only had a few minutes last night to open the case.  I'll remove everything tonight and check the damage, including nearby cards, then do some cleanup and desolder.

From there I'll attempt to find a replacement battery.

Incidentally, I also dredged up an A3000 with a more severe battery problem.  It's kind of painful to see.  Here's hoping I can get them both successfully resolved.

The most expensive part of my new Amiga adventure is the shipping to Alaska, so far anyway.

Clay
AlaskaCC

[smerf]

Hi,

@AlaskaCC,

Please remove the battery as soon as possible, the longer you leave it there the more chance it has to destroy the board. Don't wait to get a new battery before removal.
Now you can buy the same type of battery from various diff dealers, or buy one of the new kits to replace the nicad with a button battery.  I chose to buy a 3.6V phone battery from Radio Shack, sure it is big but then I also had the pleasure of hooking up to long thin wires with a phone plug a the end and running it to an area in the Amiga were I could mount the new phone battery where it would do no damage to the mother board and with this operation in mind not only did I get a more powerful battery, but also a battery that I could unplug when I thought it's useful life was almost over.

Oh yes did I mention U should remove that battery ASAP, don't wait, I cleaned my Amiga with Alchol and soda bicarbonite, but my battery wasn't leaking, I just used that stuff to make sure, somewhere on these boards is a recommended solution, I believe some of the other Amiga org users have displayed the site instructions on where it is located.

smerf

[odin]

Get it out!

[motrucker]

I hate to say this, but the most expensive part for you may well be replacing the motherboard(s).  I sure hope not, but that's a nasty looking motherboard!
Yank that (those) batteries out and get rid of the acidic condition - it will continue to eat your motherboard.

[whiteb]

Hi Alaska,

I agree with the above posters, GET THAT CANCER OFF THE BOARD TODAY !!!!!!!

I used the Cancer word because that is what it is, Your motherboard (And possibly the expansion above) is slowly being eaten by a close relative of the Hydrochloric acid family.

Personally I am a fan of Isopropyl Alcohol (CD/DVD Cleaner), but also the Bicarb trick DOES work, as it is an opposite agent to the acid, it neutralizes the acidity.  Then give it a good clean up with Isopropyl.

[tone007]

Replacing the battery is actually not worth the trouble.  Who cares what time it is, when you're in front of an Amiga it's AMIGATIME!

[AlaskaCC]

I removed the battery and then cleaned the motherboard and surrounding area.  Since this was my first time breaking the system down I took extra care.  I think it's all in good shape now.  I'll plug everything in tomorrow and give a report then.  

Thanks for your encouragement.

Clay

[zipper]

What's the problem to get into your heads that the batteries used on motherboards are alkaline, not acidic? So cleaning is best to do with mild acid like diluted vinegar or lemon.