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PowerBook G4 PRAM Battery Replacement

Written By: Scott Head (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 5
  • Favorites: 5
  • Completions: 22

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

4

Time Required

5 minutes

Sections

1

Flags

0

Introduction

PRAM batteries on the G4 PowerBooks are an aging part causing errors with the date and time among other things. You can replace the battery with just a few simple steps.

  1. You will need to remove the PRAM battery assembly from your computer. Refer to our G4 PowerBook guides for how to do that specifically for your computer.

    • You will need to remove the PRAM battery assembly from your computer. Refer to our G4 PowerBook guides for how to do that specifically for your computer.

    • Make note of where the positive (+) side connects so to eliminate confusion when you try to install the new battery.

    • There are only two locations where you will need to solder.

    Edit

  2. With a soldering iron, place the tip on the first joint and hold it there until the solder liquefies allowing you to pull the battery's terminal away. The soldering iron is extremely hot so be sure to keep your fingers away from the metal. You also want to make sure you do not touch anything other than the solder on the assembly board.

    • With a soldering iron, place the tip on the first joint and hold it there until the solder liquefies allowing you to pull the battery's terminal away.

    • The soldering iron is extremely hot so be sure to keep your fingers away from the metal. You also want to make sure you do not touch anything other than the solder on the assembly board.

    • Do the same for the second, soldered joint.

    Edit

  4. With the old battery free from the assembly, you can now install your new one. Again, make note of where the positive (+) side is installed.

    • With the old battery free from the assembly, you can now install your new one.

    • Again, make note of where the positive (+) side is installed.

    Edit

  5. Place the battery terminal directly on the remaining solder joint. Using the soldering iron, apply pressure until the solder liquefies and joins with the battery terminal

    • Place the battery terminal directly on the remaining solder joint.

    • Using the soldering iron, apply pressure until the solder liquefies and joins with the battery terminal

    • It shouldn't take more than 5-7 seconds

    • Do the same thing for the other soldering joint and you are done.

    Edit
Conclusion

You can now install the PRAM assembly back in the computer.

22 other people completed this guide.

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Scott Head

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5 Comments

Add a comment

Where is the PRAM battery located on this model, on the logicboard?

Jamba - Reply

SAFETY WARNING

Do not put your soldering on the battery, it will explode if you do.

nirv - Reply

I can’t seem to find these batteries anywhere. Can someone post a source? Thanks!

SkipR - Reply

I posted details, and a source for the battery, over on the Powerbook G4 15” PRAM battery replacement page: PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1-1.5 GHz PRAM Battery Replacement

It should be the same thing here.

david -

Be careful! Not all Powerbooks have this one battery. My 17” Powerbook G4 Aluminium has two CGL 2430. The board looks much different to the one in the above photos. The batteries are smaller (smaller diameter), and the module is longer and narrower. I just opened my Powerbook G4 to replace the battery, just to realise that I bought the wrong battery!!

Stefan Foerster - Reply

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