mac midiguy
Level 1 (65 points)
Mac OS X

Q: PowerPC G3 iMac battery replacement...

My PowerPC G3 iMac (Blue Jelly Bean ) requires a battery replacement.

 

What type or voltage do I buy ?

 

Where is it located ?  and how do i get at it to replace it ?  Any  video or pictures to guide MR MAGOO to DIY ?

Posted on Apr 23, 2014 3:37 AM

by mac midiguy,Solvedanswer
mac midiguy mac midiguy
Level 1 (65 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Well I discovered much to my delight that this process of installing RAM and new battery in my iMac G3 is not as difficult as i thought.

 

I unlocked the trap door at the back of this jelly bean and there they were: the RAM slots and off to the left the battery cage.

 

The RAM is easy to remove/replace the battery cage is a bit awkward to get at.  However I used a thin long needle nose plyer and removed/replaced the battery.

 

Then closed/locked the trap door, fired up and all was just as new.  The time was set and the  boost of power was nice.

Posted on May 29, 2014 7:17 AM

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mac midiguy

Q: PowerPC G3 iMac battery replacement...

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Apr 23, 2014 8:12 AM in response to mac midiguy
    Level 8 (35,316 points)
    iPad
    Apr 23, 2014 8:12 AM in response to mac midiguy

    G3 iMacs take a 1/2AA 3.6V lithium battery. I get mine here:

     

    NewerTech 3.6v Lithium 1/2 AA PRAM Computer Clock Battery

     

    Radio Shack/Tandy has them as their part number 23-026 but they will cost 3-4X as much.

     

    On G3 iMacs with the slot-loading optical drive, the PRAM battery can be reached through the RAM door on the bottom of the case. Apple instructions for installing RAM show the door's location:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3000

     

    Some kind of non-conductive gripping device like plastic forceps makes the job easier.

     

    I've not worked on a tray-loading iMac G3 so can't say where the PRAM batt is located or how to replace it.

  • by Eustace Mendis,Helpful

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Apr 23, 2014 5:26 PM in response to mac midiguy
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Apr 23, 2014 5:26 PM in response to mac midiguy

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh_HfnJgk-Q

  • by mac midiguy,

    mac midiguy mac midiguy Apr 23, 2014 7:13 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 23, 2014 7:13 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Thanks for the information ( with URLS which is really helpfull.

     

    I thought you might get a good laugh at this:  The cost of the said battery at NewerTech is fair ( under 5$$$ ) but the cost of shipping to Canada is $32.00.  Ah well, i guess that's how they stay in business ????

     

    I forgot to mention that his Jelly Bean has slot loading CD drive. I guess DVD's were not invented at that time.  So I am using a FireWired LG DVD burner which works in OS X but not  OS 9. So I have to sign in out of 9 to burn.

     

    I have gone retro and am refurbishing my PowerMacs to run OS 9 because I have some great midi/audio programs that  were never fully ported over to OS X. One of them was EMagic's Logic that Apple bought out and made some improvements but certainly dropped many features. However there may have been a $$$ fight over property rights between the University professor that designed the program and the boys in suits at Apple.
    Sorry for rambling.

  • by mac midiguy,

    mac midiguy mac midiguy Apr 23, 2014 7:35 PM in response to Eustace Mendis
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 23, 2014 7:35 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

    Yikes, talk about making it easy and friendly Apple.  For Gods sake Apple it's a battery install/replacement. We're not protecting national secrets by hiding the battery in a cave.  Those engineers are nuts.

     

    My PowerMacG3 is slot loading CD so perhaps the installation of a battery may be more logical and simple.


    So still looking for video or pictures to replace the battery in a slot loading G3.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 24, 2014 12:52 AM in response to mac midiguy
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2014 12:52 AM in response to mac midiguy

    Did you open the door where the RAM lives, then look to the side?

     

    There also is a PMU re-set button on the logic board in there

    to reset the power management unit manually, next to RAM

    and near the 3.6V 1/2AA Lithium battery.

     

    On the slot-load iMac 400DV G3 you don't need to fully open it.

     

    The price cited for this battery in Canada is outrageous, and I'd

    looked into some computer web site there to see $19.99 for one.

    There are several sources for these, so someone must be able

    to sell one at a time for less than these incredible numbers.

     

    When I was repairing dozens of computers to donate, I was able

    to buy dozens of these batteries at 50¢ each, with minimal post

    in padded envelope. At one interval, they were even less. The

    most I paid (by mail) was $1. per battery, shipped first class.

     

    You may be able to find a source for a vintage service based

    manual, but you don't need one to replace a PRAM battery.

    I took mine all apart, upgraded HDD, RAM, & other stuff with-

    out a manual. Found later it needed an power circuit board, too.

    Later when all fixed up, I donated it when I bought an iMac G4.

    All total, I repaired over 220 Macs and donated almost all.

     

    Could be if you search for images of iMac G3 slot load battery

    replacement, a few of them may actually show the placement

    of the battery next to the RAM chips, (via RAM upgrade door)

    and it should be about that easy. Just so long as the battery is

    replaced in the same polarity as the old one.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by mac midiguy,Solvedanswer

    mac midiguy mac midiguy May 29, 2014 7:17 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 29, 2014 7:17 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Well I discovered much to my delight that this process of installing RAM and new battery in my iMac G3 is not as difficult as i thought.

     

    I unlocked the trap door at the back of this jelly bean and there they were: the RAM slots and off to the left the battery cage.

     

    The RAM is easy to remove/replace the battery cage is a bit awkward to get at.  However I used a thin long needle nose plyer and removed/replaced the battery.

     

    Then closed/locked the trap door, fired up and all was just as new.  The time was set and the  boost of power was nice.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 29, 2014 10:43 AM in response to mac midiguy
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    May 29, 2014 10:43 AM in response to mac midiguy

    Glad that you've found the RAM access panel provided enough room

    to also replace the battery; usually when the space is tight, you'd remove

    the RAM chips so as to not chance damaging them, then R/R battery.

     

    There are advantages to upgrading the hard disk drive, so long as it is not

    a hot-running replacement 7200 (harder to get ATA 5400RPM in 3.5" now)

    and when the case is open for that, other access is comparatively easy.

     

    Good luck!