Console bulkhead battery source

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Wed May 16 12:10:57 2001

At 08:36 PM 5/15/01 -0500, Paul Thompson wrote:
>I have a BA215 DECsystem 5400 whose NiCad battery pack for the TOY clock
>and console settings has finally given up the ghost. It consists of three
>AAA 1.2V 180mAh NiCads shrinkwrapped together leading to a Molex 2695 two
>lead connector.

Ah yes, the dead battery syndrome...

>1) Does anyone know a source for these other than Compaq? I cringe to
>think what they would charge for one.

They are quite expensive as the last time I checked (about a year ago)
Compaq wanted you to buy the whole bulkhead for $175.00

>I admit that I am something of an ignoramous regarding electronics and
>read with envy when others post about finding easy fixes for blown power
>supplies and the like. With this in mind:

Not to worry, we're here to help.

>2) does anyone know easily offhand if other 1.2V battery packs could be
>used in its place? There seem to be two or four cell AAA battery packs
>available on the web but would these work in this scenario without damage
>to anything? I did not find any three cell packs. What are the rules of
>thumb for what would or wouldn't work?

Any similarly sized NiCd cells will work. I've heard rumors that there is a
Panasonic wireless phone pack that is the same but I've not found it. I
ordered some NiCd cells from www.digikey.com and replaced them. I should
probably sit down and do a couple dozen of these (it would be faster) and
offer them on the House of VAX site :-)

>Somewhat related question just because I am curious:
>
>3) is the console bulkhead on my 5400 the same as is used on other QBUS
>DSSI Mayfair MicroVAX 3x00? Mine has a part number 70-25775-02. I guess
>I would be surprised if it was different.

Actually it turns out they are different. Weird I know. The KN220 console
has a wider connector for the CPU side than the Mayfair connector. (I've
got a DECSystem 5500) I have a spare bulkhead but I don't know the state of
its battery pack.

--Chuck
Received on Wed May 16 2001 - 12:10:57 BST