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Leaking RTC batteries

Got problems with your B2 or B3? Share and get helped!
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stasheck
Posts: 126
Joined: 15 Jan 2014, 13:13

Leaking RTC batteries

Post by stasheck »

I thought I should share: I have a bunch of B3s, and I discovered that in all of them the RTC battery leaked - which may lead to damage to PCB.

You need to open B3, remove the (very small) screw holding PCB, replace the LR44 battery (clean up if it already leaked) and you'll be good to go again.
ahoff
Posts: 105
Joined: 01 Apr 2008, 20:50
Location: Swe

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by ahoff »

:shock: :o
Thanks for info.
Åke Hoff
Örskogen
Sweden
Puma
Posts: 230
Joined: 29 Sep 2008, 06:30

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by Puma »

clean contacts...
Even better change it for a Silver-oxide (SR44)
Puma
Linux is like a wigwam - no windows, no gates, apache inside!
fredrikj
Posts: 45
Joined: 27 Jul 2011, 12:31

Annual reminder to replace your RTC batteries

Post by fredrikj »

April seems like a good month to make the annual "Remember to check your RTC battery"-month, right? :)

I just opened my B3 and found a small mess of dried up powdery stuff from a leak around the RTC battery.

I suppose I can just try it my self, but does anyone know if the B3 works well entirely without a battery, leaving the slot completely empty? I mean except from the obvious RTC not working while powered down. Anything else apart from the RTC that needs the battery? If it isn't required I think I'll just remove it and stop worrying.

BTW, I searched the B3 manual and found no reference to the RTC battery at all. That seems odd, did I miss something?
stasheck
Posts: 126
Joined: 15 Jan 2014, 13:13

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by stasheck »

Try it out and let us know :-)
Gordon
Posts: 1461
Joined: 10 Aug 2011, 03:18

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by Gordon »

It will work. Only thing that happens is that on reboot the clock will reset to a hardware specific date. I have this on my bubbagen developer machine where the RTC in fact still didn't work any more after replacing the battery. I use a local.d startup script (rclocal in Debian) to set the correct time with ntpdate so except for some log lines generated during startup all is fine.
anat
Posts: 11
Joined: 22 Oct 2011, 15:11

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by anat »

This leak happened to me too, and as stasheck warned, it did damage something, and now the damn thing doesn't boot up. Any ideas how start troubleshooting?
stasheck
Posts: 126
Joined: 15 Jan 2014, 13:13

Re: Leaking RTC batteries

Post by stasheck »

First thing is to thoroughly clean with rubbing alcohol and dry it out. After this, you can inspect if any traces are corroded - using something like contact spray may help a little bit; outside of that you might need someone to repair it for you.
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