> That way the battery will not get any current from > the charging system but > will be able to power the PRAM, with an small > voltage decrease (the diode > voltage drop) > > So far it works... how much it will last?. No clue!. > Would it really > prevent damage to the battery or computer?. Hope so! > > I am really interested in hearing from you about > similar experiences... I > am sure somebody else has done this already. > > Best regards, > > JOSE > This sounds like it may work if you never remove the AC power and the main system battery while in "Sleep" mode. Even removing them while 'Shut Down' may be a lot of draw on the PRAM battery, I have never measured it.
The reason that Powerbooks have rechargeable PRAM batteries is so you can swap out the main system battery while in SLEEP mode. That is, you can change batteries without Shutting Down the computer. This is a battery saving feature (don't have to reboot after changing it). But in Sleep mode, the little PRAM battery is then keeping the entire contents of regular RAM alive, not just Parameter RAM (PRAM). This takes a lot of power comparitively. According to Apple a good PRAM battery should be able to supply the current required by the RAM (in Sleep mode) for about 4 minutes. This is the reason the PRAM battery on a Powerbook is rechargeable. It gets completely depleted in as little as 4 minutes if it is powering RAM in Sleep mode. So if you ever put your Powerbook to Sleep and remove other sources of power, your little non-rechargeable PRAM battery will not last very long at all. Greg __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com> Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
