G3 Powerbook Batteries

Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?
davidsteward4 wrote on :

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

One possible supplier has asked "Does your battery contain 18650 cells?"

Thanks David

JB replied on :

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

The premiere battery rebuilder is Prime Cell (www.primecell.com). I sent a Wallstreet Li ion battery to them, but they were unable to find replacement cells. They did return my battery promptly.

I then got a BTI battery from MacMall. Fits and works fine. The first BTI battery I bought was over 3 years old and would not charge. It was returned to a local store. When ordering be sure to specify that the battery's serial number starts with 0305.... This indicates that the battery was manufactured in March, 2005. A later date is OK, of course. JohnB

John Snow replied on :

JB wrote:

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

The premiere battery rebuilder is Prime Cell (www.primecell.com). I sent a Wallstreet Li ion battery to them, but they were unable to find replacement cells. They did return my battery promptly.

Yeah, they say they can't yet rebuild Lithium ion batteries.

I then got a BTI battery from MacMall. Fits and works fine. The first BTI battery I bought was over 3 years old and would not charge. It was returned to a local store. When ordering be sure to specify that the battery's serial number starts with 0305.... This indicates that the battery was manufactured in March, 2005. A later date is OK, of course. JohnB

You might also check with OWC (www.macsales.com) or Mega Watts (www.megamacs.com). One, I don't remember which, had a second maker (maybe BTI) battery with 1 1/2 times the charge duration of the standard Apple battery, for about 4150.

You can also look on Ebay.

John Johnson replied on :

In article 42687905.9080400@redacted.invalid, John Snow johnsnow@redacted.invalid wrote:

JB wrote:

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

The premiere battery rebuilder is Prime Cell (www.primecell.com). I sent a Wallstreet Li ion battery to them, but they were unable to find replacement cells. They did return my battery promptly.

Yeah, they say they can't yet rebuild Lithium ion batteries.

I then got a BTI battery from MacMall. Fits and works fine. The first BTI battery I bought was over 3 years old and would not charge. It was returned to a local store. When ordering be sure to specify that the battery's serial number starts with 0305.... This indicates that the battery was manufactured in March, 2005. A later date is OK, of course. JohnB

You might also check with OWC (www.macsales.com) or Mega Watts (www.megamacs.com). One, I don't remember which, had a second maker (maybe BTI) battery with 1 1/2 times the charge duration of the standard Apple battery, for about 4150.

VST is the supplier of increased capacity batteries, as I recall. I think it's 10%.

rabarca replied on :

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

yes it's possible!! I did it while ago, and it was somewhat easy. You need to be careful, and if you don't have experience soldering, then call your EE friends... I can't remember the specific cell model, but I have the pictures of the whole process. I'll upload it to my homepage soon... My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

One possible supplier has asked "Does your battery contain 18650 cells?"

Thanks David

davidsteward4 replied on :

rabarca wrote:

yes it's possible!! I did it while ago, and it was somewhat easy. You need to be careful, and if you don't have experience soldering, then call your EE friends... I can't remember the specific cell model, but I have the pictures of the whole process. I'll upload it to my homepage soon... My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

Rolando Abarca M. [rabarca.arroba@redacted.invalid] "Tam pro papa quam pro rege bibunt omnes sine lege."

I will be very interested to see it, please let me know when and where it's up.

David

John Johnson replied on :

In article d4bj1t$aub$1@redacted.invalid, rabarca rabarca.arroba@redacted.invalid wrote:

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

yes it's possible!! I did it while ago, and it was somewhat easy. You need to be careful, and if you don't have experience soldering, then call your EE friends... I can't remember the specific cell model, but I have the pictures of the whole process. I'll upload it to my homepage soon... My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

You got any idea why a 5400mAh battery is only getting about 3h life? My Apple (later BTi) 4500mAh battery was giving me 4-4.5 on my Pismo: 400MHZ, 5400rpmHD, 392MB RAM.

DaveC replied on :

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:51:19 -0700, davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote (in article 1114121665.371708.157530@redacted.invalid):

I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

One possible supplier has asked "Does your battery contain 18650 cells?"

Yes, the Lombard / Pismo battery packs utilize the 18650 Li-Ion cells. The good news is that the original cells were approx 1600 mAH capacity, whereas the new cells are as much as 2400 mAH (there are lesser capacity cells for less $, of course). That's as much as 50 percent increase in charge capacity.

An important thing to remember is that these cells must have exactly the same voltage before you solder them into the pack. Li-Ion cells won't equalize like NiCd or NiMH cells will, after installation. If cell voltages aren't equal, you won't get maximum capacity out of the pack.

And you are, of course, buying tabbed cells, right?

What suppliers did you locate for these cells? Prices?

Good luck,

Howard S Shubs replied on :

In article d4bj1t$aub$1@redacted.invalid, rabarca rabarca.arroba@redacted.invalid wrote:

My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

It's much more sensible for most people to just buy a new one from the various companies which still have these in stock.

rabarca replied on :

Howard S Shubs howard@redacted.invalid wrote:

It's much more sensible for most people to just buy a new one from the various companies which still have these in stock.

perhaps you're right, but in my country, there're no stores that sell new batteries, but there are stores that sell the Li-ion cells. :-)

GeoDude replied on :

OK, I've got some dead M7318's.

Anybody got any pics of M7318 teardown, rebuild? :!: :?:

$36 and some soldering time seems way better than $150 for a new battery module!

But, before I commit my $36, I want to know if this will work...

Li-Ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.6V 2000mAh Cell

Regular Price $9.99

Sale Price $5.95

http://www.batteryspace.com/

Also see:

http://www.bipowerusa.com/products/li-ion.main.asp

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=896413

http://www.megabatteries.com/items.asp?cat_id=51

http://www.dssw.co.uk/sleepcentre/threads/g3_powerbook_batteries.html

rabarca ... Re: G3 Powerbook Batteries

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote: Quote: I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

yes it's possible!! I did it while ago, and it was somewhat easy. You need to be careful, and if you don't have experience soldering, then call your EE friends... I can't remember the specific cell model, but I have the pictures of the whole process. I'll upload it to my homepage soon... My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

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Richard Tomkins replied on :

Apparently, soldering rechargeable batteries to connect them is not a good idea. The heat you use ends up damaging the chemicals in that localized area which leads to premature failure.

The local place to me, called "Total Battery", when the rebuild a battery, have a welder that can spot weld on the battery very rapidly without sustaining a damaging heat rise.

I'd suggest that you look into a battery shop having a go at welding, as they do this kind of work all the time.

In support of my argument, I have soldered a large number of Ni-Cads over the years and have had two fail prematurely, so, six of one, half dozen of the other.

rtt

"GeoDude" GeoFan49-post@redacted.invalid wrote in message news:u1117070785@redacted.invalid

OK, I've got some dead M7318's.

Anybody got any pics of M7318 teardown, rebuild? :!: :?:

$36 and some soldering time seems way better than $150 for a new battery module!

But, before I commit my $36, I want to know if this will work...

Li-Ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.6V 2000mAh Cell

Regular Price $9.99

Sale Price $5.95

http://www.batteryspace.com/

Also see:

http://www.bipowerusa.com/products/li-ion.main.asp

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=896413

http://www.megabatteries.com/items.asp?cat_id=51

http://www.dssw.co.uk/sleepcentre/threads/g3_powerbook_batteries.html

rabarca ... Re: G3 Powerbook Batteries

davidsteward4@redacted.invalid davidsteward4@redacted.invalid wrote: Quote: I have a Mac PowerBook G3 Lithium Ion battery Model M7318 that won't hold more than 10 minutes charge. Is it possible to have new cells put into it? If so, can anyone tell me what kind of cells it needs?

yes it's possible!! I did it while ago, and it was somewhat easy. You need to be careful, and if you don't have experience soldering, then call your EE friends... I can't remember the specific cell model, but I have the pictures of the whole process. I'll upload it to my homepage soon... My powerbook is a Lombard, and the battery pack now last about 3 hours. The cells where 9x3.2 volts, 1800mAh. (3 packs of 3 in serial -> about 5400mAh).

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  • please report abuse to http://xinbox.com/mymac

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