Blizzard 1230IV clock battery replacement?

[amigean]

Hello,

It's perhaps a silly question, but does anyone know how to replace the real-time clock battery on a Blizzard 1230 mark IV accelerator board?

The one on mine is nearly 30 years old now and long gone. The problem is that it appears firmly fixed, perhaps welded(?) onto the slot? See picture for what I mean. I tried lifting it with a flathead screwdriver but it wouldn't move a millimeter. Anyone has successfully replaced one?

Thanks for any suggestions!!

 

[dorken]

hello,

the VL2020 is a Lithium Accumulator and can recharged, mostly even after many years of deep discharge!
Simply power up the Amiga for >10 hours and test the Clock.
If its recharged ~1 hour powerup every 6 Month to recharge are sufficient...

 

[amigean]

Thanks for the informative response, and what a surprise it is to hear that any battery can still work 30 years later! I will try it out later today and post back!

 

[Boing-ball]

The battery is soldered into place. Have removed and replaced a couple. Have a look for VL2020 battery on the other bay. Usually show up for BMW key fob batteries.
As others have said. It is a rechargeable battery which takes power to recharge when the Amiga is powered up.

 

[amigean]

The battery is soldered into place. Have removed and replaced a couple. Have a look for VL2020 battery on the other bay. Usually show up for BMW key fob batteries.
As others have said. It is a rechargeable battery which takes power to recharge when the Amiga is powered up.

Ok! In case mine is gone (which is reasonable), can I simply desolder it with a soldering iron? I see no signs of solder on the battery but instead what looks like spot welding, which I know nothing about, so I wonder if heat is all it takes to unweld it.

 

[Boing-ball]

Ok! In case mine is gone (which is reasonable), can I simply desolder it with a soldering iron? I see no signs of solder on the battery but instead what looks like spot welding, which I know nothing about, so I wonder if heat is all it takes to unweld it.

The battery is held in with 2 soldering points underneath the card. Just desoldering those 2 points and the battery and what looks like a holder (It isn’t) will just come out. Then replace with a new similar battery the same way round.
Just be careful not to overheat the board as you may cause damage to the pads.

 

[amigean]

Ah I see! Makes perfect sense! Will evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of desoldering on the PCB itself, given my basic skills, and decide accordingly. But first I'll see if it holds a charge and report back

 

[Boing-ball]

Ah I see! Makes perfect sense! Will evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of desoldering on the PCB itself, given my basic skills, and decide accordingly. But first I'll see if it holds a charge and report back

Basically you need to buy one of these:

PANASONIC CAR KEY RECHARGEBLE BATTERY VL2020 VL2330 MINI BMW FORD -- 4 VERSIONS | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PANASONIC CAR KEY RECHARGEBLE BATTERY VL2020 VL2330 MINI BMW FORD -- 4 VERSIONS at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

ebay.us

 

[Xanxi]

Out of curiosity, how does the BMV recharge the battery of the key?

 

[Boing-ball]

Out of curiosity, how does the BMV recharge the battery of the key?

Not owning a Beemer. I can only guess this will be for the all in one key and fob and charges when the key is in the ignition barrel

 

[ilooked4u]

As it happens, there was a YT video published just today!

 

[amigean]

Thanks!! Still didn't get round to testing whether mine holds a charge

 

[ilooked4u]

I wouldn't even know how to test it?
Leave it on with the clock running for an extended period of time as per this link?

Blizzard 1230 MkIV Accelerator Card - Lyonsden Blog

Here I take a look at the Blizzard 1230 MkIV 68030 Accelerator card manufactured by Phase 5 Digital Products back in the 1990's.

lyonsden.net

 

[tbtorro]

If your battery is dead, and you are comfortable with desoldering the old one, drop me a PM and I'll send you a new battery for postage.

 

[amigean]

That's extremely kind, thank you. Will have a look and let you know!

 

[amigean]

I actually found time to test it repeatedly these past few days and the 30 year old lithium battery works!!!

I set the time on the clock and left the Amiga on for a few hours to allow it to charge. Turned it off and the following day the time was still correct. Left it off for a week, turned on again and time still correct!! I am not sure how this is possible, may it live another 30 years!

 

[ilooked4u]

I actually found time to test it repeatedly these past few days and the 30 year old lithium battery works!!!

I set the time on the clock and left the Amiga on for a few hours to allow it to charge. Turned it off and the following day the time was still correct. Left it off for a week, turned on again and time still correct!! I am not sure how this is possible, may it live another 30 years!

Same here! I always have to grin when I see the current time/date in the status bar of DOpus