Perhaps your Apple expertise would know more about this Apple IIGS product:
https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/battery-iigs-rom0-1-caddy
My Rom1 Woz Edition GS: Online guides and videos say to ONLY use original PART NO: TADIRAN BATTERIES TL-5902/P 1.2 Ah, 3.6 V, 1/2AA. Prior to that tidbit, I ordered someone's suggested Tadiran TL-5101/P at 3.6V 0.95Ah 2-Pin. I'm concerned about the 0.95Ah if the original is 1.2 Ah. Other guides say NOT to use alternative brands like SAFT and GMPower, etc. I know the battery is just for RTC but:
QUESTION: Can two convenient AAA 1.5v cells really work well on a GS? I'd like to avoid damaging the motherboard, exploding batteries, smoking computer etc. I use RECHARGABLE batteries - see any harm over traditional ones? Thanks!
As answered over on Atariage:
I've personally used a different brand 1/2AA 3.6V battery with one of my ROM01 IIgs machines (I don't remember the brand, I bought it from my local electronics store 10+ years ago).
I've also used 3 x 1.2V AAA rechargeable batteries (in a different ROM01 machine) in a home made caddy for years with alligator clips connecting it to the motherboard.
As long as you supply ~3.6V and have the polarity wired up correctly, I don't think you can cause much harm.
RTC demands 3,6 Volt.
less capacity than 1,2 mAH will discharge faster.
Using AAA alkaline isn't good idea: 2 will be not enogh voltage ( 3,2 Volt ) and 3 will be too much ( 4,5 Volt ).
Using 3x AAA NC-accumulator will be good ( 3,6 Volt ) but there is one hurdle:
No charge-electronics present... Using this kind of replacement requires to add small PCB to
recharge the 3x NC-cells frrom mainboard.
Thanks for the replies! OK, to be safe, I will go with an original stock battery. I can make my own plastic 'bathtub' to double side tape down on the side metal away from the board. Any suggestions on the best connection to the old battery's leg pins (old audio cable pin header, alligator clamps, spiral twist the old legs and the new)?
Here's an idea that even Speedy might like ...
How about a battery and socket? (if you have a place to mount...)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142709920961
https://www.ebay.com/itm/170809613306
I already ordered the other original battery, but that socket is a good link if I dont find something from my spare parts. Looks like you could bend the legs into a Van Damme-like horizontal split and run lead wires to each leg stump on the board.
Yeah, you can do that or you can run one leg into one of the existing battery lead holes, and drill a small hole for the other leg and solder a small wire to the other battery lead hole. Whatever works and looks appropriate in your situation. Take note that the replaceable battery has a near 10 year life cycle. Not too bad ....
10 years is great! While I'm waiting for my setup, since my 3.5 floppy is not working, I'm only able to use it in standard Apple II (5.25 disk) mode. Will the GS work without the old battery if I remove it now? I can live without the date and time for Choplifter.
I'd watch for the legs not to touch any internals of course.
I think the ][GS needs the battery ... There are other settings besides the clock that the battery is used for.
Ok- keeping it in. The inside is very clean so if the battery lasted this long I'm sure a week or so more will be fine.
yep the battery saves entire options-setup
Battery is not needed for GS to function. It’s just a convenience to retain clock and settings when powered off.