MicroVax batteries

[Tony Duell]

> 
> The batteries in my MicroVaxen need to be replaced. A couple of questions:
> 
> What's the best way to clean up corrosion damage caused by these 
> batteries? With Alkaline batteries, I usually use vinegar (since 
> alkalines leak a base, not acid). What about NI-CD? 

The electrolyte in a NiCd cell is also alkaline (potassium hydroxide 
based, I think). So you use a (chemically) weak acid for clean-up. I 
normally used a solution of citric acid, it smells nicer than vinegar :-)

> 
> What types of batteries can these be replaced with? I'm assuming that 
> this is a NI-CD battery pack. I went to Radio Shack expecting to simply 
> find a cordless phone battery that I could use to replace it - the pack 
> appears to be nothing more than three AAA NI-CD cells in series. 

Tht sounds very liekly.

> Unfortunately, the only sort of phone batteries they carry are either 
> too big (AA's) or NIMH. I wouldn't imagine that it would work, but is it 

Do you not have space for the AA size cells? I didn't think MicroVAXen 
were that tightly packed...


> possible to use NIMH batteries to replace the original pack? I ended up 
> buying a small pack at Target, it's a small, three cell (half or third 
> AA, it appears), phone battery pack. NI-CD, 400mAh. But, you know, I'd 
> like to know what my options are for the other MicroVaxen... 

I've not tried it myself, but I've heard of plenty of people using NiMH 
cells is old HP handheld calculators (designed to use NiCd packs) with no 
problems, keeping the original trickle-charging circuit. My guess is that 
an NiMH pack would be fine in the microVAX too.

-tony