🚀 go-pugleaf

John <john@mabuhay.demon.co.Zuk> wrote:

> When fitting SIMMS last year I remember thinking the Pram Battery looks
> quite accessable and wondering why it costs so much to have changed at an
> Apple Centre.
> 
> Well, my battery is now dead. It is a Sonnenschein inorganic lithium,
> number SL-150
> 
> I've seen a 3.6 volt in the Farnell catalogue which looks similar. Would
> this one do?  It's a 1/2 AA size with a 1.1 Ah capacity,  number SL235L/S
> 
> 
> As long as the voltage is correct and the connecters fit properly are
> there any other specifications that I need to worry about (amps per hour
> rating etc. etc.)
> 
> 
> Are there any precautions I should bear in mind when replacing the
> battery?  If it is as easy to do as it looks why do Apple say only Apple
> Centres should change it?  
> 
> 
> Thanks,  John

Changing the battery IS as easy as it looks. You don't even need to
worry too much about the voltage - 10% low or perhaps even a bit more
will still work without problems. There are some Duracell camera
batteries available in Boots that work fine.

Getting the 'approved' battery from an Apple Dealer depends a lot on the
dealer and how well you know them. I tried a couple and they point blank
refused to sell a battery. They wanted �25 for me to take the Mac to
them and have it changed. Other Apple dealers might be more
accomadating.

Quite why Apple do this is a bit of a mystery to me. I guess it is
partly to try to cover themsevles in case the user screws it up but I
would have thought it was a lot easier to cause problems changing
SIMMs/DIMMs. Apple seem to have a similar policy with memory but can't
hope to enforce it because the memory is widely available. By using an
odd battery, they are in a slightly better position.

There is also the issue regarding headline pricing versus hidden prices.
A lot of industries try to push headline prices down and make up for it
elsewhere. Basically, once you have an Apple Mac, then approved Apple
dealers are, in theory, the safest place to get then fixed and there is
less competition. Just like buying a car - having got your nice new
motor with the 3 year warranty, you're very reluctant to have it
serviced any where other than an approved main dealer.

I think Apple (perhaps just Apple UK?) are being very silly. I don't see
that they would have any problems sell the batteries openly. Not selling
them openly can only upset users who have already gone out on a bit of
limb buying Apple in the first place. Seems some genuine concern for
users it what is required.

-- 
Larry Stoter
17, Rocks Park Road, Uckfield, E. Sussex, TN22 2AT, UK
email: LPS@teknesis.demon.co.uk
Phone/Fax: +44 (0)1825 767967