Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Marcb on March 06, 2009, 09:36:46 PM
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Hi,
Just curious, I've bought two of these on ebay for my 2000 & 3000 and haven't got around to installing them yet:
Ebay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Amiga-2000-3000-LITHIUM-ION-BACKUP-BATTERY-complete-set_W0QQitemZ220371180706QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220371180706&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177)
I've just noticed that the same seller also has for sale an Amiga 4000 lithium Ion battery replacement...
Why would there be two different ones, is there a difference between the a2000/a3000 and a/4000 batteries?
Marcb
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No, its everywhere the same. Just a Lithium coin, a socket and a diode - very simple.
You can also get one of these (http://www.amigaworld.de/hardware/lithium-batterie-modul/) (they look better and are cheaper). :-D
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DJBase wrote:
You can also get one of these (http://www.amigaworld.de/hardware/lithium-batterie-modul/) (they look better and are cheaper). :-D
(Sorry to hijack this thread .. a little)
From where can I buy one of those? From that same site? (Sorry I do not know German).
Regards,
Sim085
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sim085 wrote:
DJBase wrote:
You can also get one of these (http://www.amigaworld.de/hardware/lithium-batterie-modul/) (they look better and are cheaper). :-D
(Sorry to hijack this thread .. a little)
From where can I buy one of those? From that same site? (Sorry I do not know German).
Good excuse to learn, no? :-D
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I also would be interested, AmigaKit just sells the holders, not the diode kit, Is there a translation of that page for us poor English only speaking people?
Now where is that linkwords German floppy I got the other day?....
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Thanks for the reply and link!
Indeed does look good, how would I buy one of those in the link? ( My German to English dictionary can't cope! :-) )
I wonder why he has listed them separately though?
Perhaps he did it to keep the listing size down as he includes pics on how to install them in the listing...
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Just send me a PM and you can get some. ;-)
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Just for completeness: lithium coin battery != lithium ion rechargeable battery - it's neither 'ion' nor rechargeable.
The lithum hack is very simple: you solder a germanium diode (just about any type) in line with the coin battery in order to prevent recharging the (non-rechargeable) battery. The only thing to worry about is to point the striped (cathode) end of the diode away from the + contact of the battery (or towards the - contact) and you're set.
CR2032 battery: 50c
battery clip: 1.20€ (salvaged from an old PC mobo: 0c)
germanium diode: 30c
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That's exactly what the gentleman on EBay is selling, a modified coin battery holder with a diode installed. I ordered one and installed it last week in my A3000D. I haven't had a clock since I got the machine 3 years ago!
I'm very happy to give him a little something extra for packaging this. I wasn't brave enough to try it on my own!
Bob
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What happens if you do this without the diode? What happens to the non rechargeable battery when it is charged. I'm just asking because it seems like I remember many people in my old users group just using the coin battery and the holder. No diode. I don't remember anyone's battery or computer blowing up or anything. What damage is done? Does it just shorten the batteries life?
Dan
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If you charge a non-chargeable battery it will explode.
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DJBase said: "it will explode."
So I am assuming there are many documented cases of batteries exploding inside Amiga computers? When people buy C & D battery chargers and put non-rechargeable batteries in them are they exploding also?
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Is it that hard to make this hack?
I mean..im ZERO with soldering iron and all technical stuff, but with a diagram, or a simple picture of what/where do i have to solder...would it be possible even for a dummy like me to actually bring clock again to my Big Box Amigas?
Sebastian
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So I am assuming there are many documented cases of batteries exploding inside Amiga computers? When people buy C & D battery chargers and put non-rechargeable batteries in them are they exploding also?
Not that I know of exploded non-rechargeables in Amigas, but they do explode when charged (tried that with AAs myself). If the charging current is low enough you might get away with a dead battery instead of a burst one.
Anyway, I prefer replacing the battery with a rechargeable NiMH barrel-shaped one or 3 AAs in a clip, but putting them out of harm's way with a bit of cabling.
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Gavilan wrote:
Is it that hard to make this hack?
I mean..im ZERO with soldering iron and all technical stuff, but with a diagram, or a simple picture of what/where do i have to solder...would it be possible even for a dummy like me to actually bring clock again to my Big Box Amigas?
Sebastian
http://www.amigaworld.de/workshops/lithium-knopfzellen/
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@DJBase: excellent stuff my friend!!!!
Will do this tomorrow monday!!
Danke!!!
Sebastian
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Either I've got some visual problems or the aw.de folks got the diode reversed... :roll:
PS: I've contacted Matthias about this and he's corrected the sketch - thanks! (FF needed a shift-reload to load the graphics).
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That auction is wrong, that is a lithium battery, not lithium ion.
I feel I should clarify lest someone tthink it is a good idea to use a rechargeable LiIon cell. It would be hazardous to install a rechargeable lithium ion battery and try to trickle charge it. LiIon cells are -very- picky about the rate of charge. They may simply die quickly, or burn and destroy your MB.
What he is -really- selling is a lithium button cell with a holder and a diode in series so current can only flow out, not in.
I "turbocharged" several Amigas by installing AAA battery holders on the case with long wires to the MB. I used three-battery holders with a silicon diode, 4.5V=0.7V=3.8V, close enough to the 3.6V NiCd cells it is meant for. And I put a sticker in there specifying -only- alkaline cells and gave the owners instructions to replace the batteries every two years. I also put a 470uF 6V capacitor in parallel with the batteries to give a few minutes to change the batteries.
I'd also converted some using carbon-layer capacitors, but longer initial charging time was a complication. Now I think I'd use polyacine capacitors. No leakage ever, much longer life, no problem with charging.
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There are various way to go about this. Cordless phone battery packs (many are the correct voltage - pick one that is) or - buy you own Button battery setup - Damn - a regular holder is about $.20, the diode is about $.20 and the battery is about $.75 tops.
Don't get ripped off!
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http://www.amigaworld.de/hardware/lithium-batterie-modul/
By better, do you mean the pcb all parts are on? if so then its not a big deal really. Does it fit all amigas and where can one buy it?
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@Gavilian
that hack is easy. Made one myself and it works great! :-)
aminet has the diagram.
http://aminet.net/docs/hard/LithBatt.lha
This has been done a long time ago on aminet...
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motrucker wrote:
There are various way to go about this. Cordless phone battery packs (many are the correct voltage - pick one that is)
Make sure you get a -small- cordless phone battery pack. The
Amiga MB is only giving it a small trickle charge. I found that with 120mAhr 3.6V three cell NiCd packs, you'd better pre-charge them before connecting, and the stock trickle charge wasn't always enough to compensate for self-discharge.
That's why I just switched to AAA alkaline and a diode. DO NOT USE "HEAVY DUTY" OR ZINC BATTERIES. "Heavy duty" are just a fancier Zinc battery. Carbon-zinc batteries can sit in a drawer for a -long- time, but the first time they are used they start breaking down and will eventually leak all over.
Alkalines very rarely leak, and it doesn't spread.
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terminator4 wrote:
http://www.amigaworld.de/hardware/lithium-batterie-modul/
By better, do you mean the pcb all parts are on? if so then its not a big deal really. Does it fit all amigas and where can one buy it?
Drop me a PM if want such a PCB version. And yes, it works on all amigas.
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I couldn't be bothered ... so I just got a new barrel battery from Maplin.co.uk ... it should do me for enough years before it needs replacing again :/
Tom UK
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On my A2000, I simply removed R803 (current-limiting resistor for the original NiCd) and replaced with a germanium diode (1N60)... then soldered the coin socket directly to the board and used a regular CR2032. Cheap, looks best IMHO, and nothing special to order. :-)
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-D- that is an AWESOME idea! I would have never thought of that but will definitely do that on my next battery hack.... should put a sticky-note on the PCB crediting you with the idea too! :lol:
I usually just stick the diode under the battery holder which usually doesn't look to bad.
Would this work the same on a A3000?
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@Sandman
I wouldn't have thought of it either, but I had the motherboard out to replace some caps, so it kind of caught my eye after staring at things for a few hours. :lol:
Would this work the same on a A3000?
I haven't looked at the A3000 yet, but I plan on doing that one next - probably it's just as easy. :-)
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Any reason for using the germanium 1N60 instead of just using a 1N914 switching diode? I'm pretty electronics illiterate. :hammer:
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Sandman wrote:
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Any reason for using the germanium 1N60 instead of just using a 1N914 switching diode? I'm pretty electronics illiterate. :hammer:
There's less voltage drop. The OKI RTC chip should stay alive with as little as 2v, so the small difference (as much as 0.5v) could matter when the battery is worn.