600BAT.THD --- Copyright 1988 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. Care of and replacement of NiCads are a topic of special interest to Tandy 600 owners -- since that computer comes with a built in battery pack. These messages discuss operation of the NiCads -- and give a recipe for rebuilding a spent battery pack by replacing the individual cells. A chance to save some $$$, if you have the skills (and daring!) required. Otherwise, information on ordering a new battery pack is also given. Message range: 169891 to 170226 Dates: 6/12/88 to 6/18/88 Sb: #M600 Batteries Fm: Baughman, David L. 75160,2517 To: [F] Tony 76703,4062 Cany anyone tell me about batteries for the M600? Mine don't seem to be taking a charge anymore and I can find nothing about replacing the batteries in the owner's manual. Can they even be replaced, or is that what they need, how much do they cost if they can, and can and should I do it myself? Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Baughman, David L. 75160,2517 You can obtain replacement batteries directly from Tandy's National Parts Center. Dial (817) 870-5662 with credit card in hand, and they'll take your order and whip it to you right away. To install, just open up the case (remove screws), take out the old set, and insert the new set. They don't seem to last as long as we'd like them to last. Fm: Dean Metzgar 76537,2657 To: Baughman, David L. 75160,2517 Tony Anderson has given you a reply telling you where you can buy the battery If you're fairly clever with a soldering iron, you can take the old pack apart. Cut the plastic with a sharp knife (Xacto, etc) and save the pieces. Then take the metal strips and wires off of the dead cells. Go to Radio Shack and buy four HI CAPACITY NICds in D-Cell size. They are part #23-140. Using the metal strips and wires salvaged from the old pack, assemble the new one. Put the old cover around the new batterie and tape it with electrical tape. This will cost about $28 vice the $70 or so National Parts wants. I made this type pack about 9 months ago and it works GREAT! If you'd like more 600 support, write to Easyware Products, Club 600, PO 218778, Houston, TX 77218. This is a new outfit committed to supporting us 600 users and the President, Dennis Rogers is a super guy. Drop them a line. Hope all this helps. If you have questions drop me a line here or on EasyPlex. Happy Computing,...............Dean Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Dean Metzgar 76537,2657 That's a good piece of information, Dean... Thanks. Fm: Dean Metzgar 76537,2657 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 Glad to help. It's really important that folks use the HI CAPACITY and not the regular NICds. Fm: Dean Metzgar 76537,2657 To: Tony Anderson I wrote this up for Dennis Rogers in the Club 600 Newletter and will reiterate here so that others may comment and you can edit it. After removing the battery from the 600, cut the plastic case lengwise on one side only down the wide side. Use a very sharp knife (Xacto, etc). Save the case. Remove the cells from the case and gently pull the conductor strips from the ends of the cells using slim-nosed pliers. Save the strips and wires. Purchase four part # 23-140 Hi Capacity D-cell NiCds at Radio Shack ($6.95 ea) and assemble them in series by soldering the salvaged conductor strips to the appropriate terminals of the cells. The red wire should be on the positive terminal of one end cell and the black on the negative terminal of the other end cell. Reassemble the battery using the salvaged case and tape with electrical tape. Reinstall in the 600 and charge for 18 hours. It is very important to purchase the HiCap cells, the cheaper ones don't begin to have the current capacity needed. Fm: Dean Metzgar 76537,2657 To: All For all you model 600 users, some hints to help extend battery life: * Don't recharge until the battery low light comes on steady and then recharge fully for 18-20 hours. Otherwise the battery may develop false "memory" levels. * You may safely recharge for 18-20 hours. The 14 hour limitation mentioned in the manual is not really correct since the system is current limited. * Don't, however, leave the battery on charge indefinitely when the computer is not in use. Excessive heat may damage things and the battery may develop memory problems.