MacBatt Brings the Promise of a Modern PRAM Battery Solution to Apple Macs

My Mac/SE 30, kitted out with 64MB of RAM, a SCSI2SD drive, and a ROMinator ROM module.

I have a soft spot for old computing technology, specifically vintage Apple computers. Long time readers may recall that I documented the process of bringing back an old Mac SE FDHD back to life. It was my first real attempt at restoring an old Mac.

Despite being unfamiliar with the process, I had several excellent YouTube videos to guide me. The end result was a successful resurrection. More importantly, at least for me, was how much I enjoyed the process of restoring this old Mac.

The Achille’s heal for many an old Mac is its PRAM battery. If left intact, this 3.6V battery will eventually corrode and leak its contents all over the Mac’s logic board, rendering the Mac unusable. To address this issue, many vintage computing enthusiasts run their classic Macs without the PRAM battery.

With the renaissance in retro computing, new products have come about to capture the interest of the enthusiast market. Some of these products will extend a classic Mac’s functionality, while others provide quality of life improvements. The MacBatt does a bit of both, by allowing classic Macs to accommodate coin cell CR2032 batteries instead the standard lithium ones.

I purchased two MacBatt’s via eBay several months ago. Life got in the way, so I didn’t have a chance to install the MacBatt until last week. My goal was to install the MacBatt battery holder on two classic Macs I own: a Mac SE FDHD and a Mac SE/30.

But before I describe the installation process, it’s probably a good idea for me to discuss the actual MacBatt itself.

The MacBatt is a battery holder that allows for the use of CR2032 batteries, making use of the Mac’s original battery holder.

The MacBatt ($2.99US + shipping) comes on a purple board. The CR2032 battery holder is neatly mounted on the front side of the unit, while a cute embossed rendering of a classic Mac icon appears on the back. The front of the MacBatt has polarity markings clearly marked. There are two small indentions on the MacBatt, which will slide over the terminal posts on your Mac’s existing battery holder. The overall build quality is remarkably solid, and very aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Installing the MacBatt is a tool-less affair, making it pretty easy for even novice users to perform (once you open your Mac’s case, that is).

A MacBatt with a CR2032 battery installed. (Fingers for scale.)

Installation of the MacBatt is about to commence.

Below is the MacBatt installed on my MacSE FDHD’s logic board.

The MacBatt installed. Notice how it utilizes the original battery holder’s posts.

While installation was easy and straightforward on the SE FDHD, I didn’t fare as well when attempting to install the MacBatt on my Mac SE/3o. The MacBatt’s notches were an 1/8″ too small to properly fit inside that Mac’s existing battery holder. I have two options to remedy this. The first option is to use a file to manually expand both notches on the MacBatt. The second option is to file away the each of the posts on the original battery holder. Not wanting to potentially ruin a perfectly working SE/30, I decided it would be best to continue using the cylindrical 3.6V PRAM battery until I find a better solution.

I was unable to install the MacBatt in my Mac SE/30 as the existing battery holder’s posts were just a bit too wide to accommodate the MacBatt.

Overall, the MacBatt was a good purchase. I have a little more peace of mind now, knowing at least one of my classic Macs won’t have a battery bomb situation in the future. I hope that I can find a better solution to use the MacBatt with my SE/30. When and if I do, I will be sure to post my solution.

My Mac SE FDHD successfully working after the MacBatt install.

-Krishna