CMOS battery holder broken and off logic board - advice needed, please

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9 points

CMOS battery holder broken and off logic board - advice needed, please

My mom attempted to replace the battery on her Mac Pro 2006 logic board. I included some pictures. The metal spring clip on top broke off AND the battery holder broke off flush on one side and up above on another. I saw the video mentioned in the other thread by where Gregory Speck epoxied wires to the still-attached broken holder. I can't do that, unless I can place epoxy on the board at these pin sites. From what I'm reading, using epoxy solder underneath the holder isn't a safe option to reattach it. Is that correct? Is this board ruined now?

Here is the top of the holder, including the broken clip that broke off at the square:

And here is the holder underneath.

Any and all suggestions or advice will be appreciated.

Posted on Jan 6, 2013 1:12 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 6, 2013 1:20 PM in response to moonatics

On a much older Mac (Performa 630 and 5400 era) the batteries were not generally available, and places charged US$25 for them. Handy users bought a Radio Shack battery holder and soldered wires on it and connected it to the motherboard to use cheap batteries instead.

You can do a similar thing here -- solder two wires to the pads on the board and connect to a battery holder nearby. Just be sure to insulate so that metal on the battery holder does not touch metal components on the board.

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Answer 2

moonatics Author

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9 points

Jan 6, 2013 1:47 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

We already have the replacement battery and I saw holder replacements for a couple bucks online. Is there enough of the pad on the right to solder? It's flush to the board. The left part is raised, so that's not a problem. If so, could I use epoxy solder? I really would rather keep the board in place as I do this fix. Thanks.

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2013 2:34 PM in response to moonatics

The stuff a previous poster (or that other thread poster) referred to as "epoxy solder" is epoxy with enough silver in it to conduct electricity when cured. Like anything, I expect results vary with your ability to mix thoroughly and apply enough to the places you want to connect without getting it everywhere.

Another unusual repair material is a bottle of liquid used to repair car rear-window defroster grids. It comes in a little bottle with brush-in-cap and applies nail polish. Completes the circuit with a very modest resistance when dried.

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Answer 4

moonatics Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 6, 2013 8:45 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Which do you suggest as the best way to try? Thanks so much for your input.

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