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    'M34 / '17 ... battery information .

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by CWB32, Oct 3, 2017.

  1. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    hey all ,
    i was wondering if anyone has a bit of information on the batteries for these machines .
    are these NiMH , NiCd or old Li technology ?
    is the same wonderful internal *management* solution as the more modern panasonic batteries have incorporated ?

    i am hoping that as these batteries are very old (and scarce as hen's teeth) that they can be rebuilt .
     
  2. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    vzsu15a---11.1v 4.0ah
    Li-on
     
  3. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    this-aint-looking-good .

    i don't even have one to tear apart to see what is going on .
     
  4. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    I took one apart about 3 years ago. It had 2 dead cells. Replaced the 2 bad ones with 2 goods ones but no luck. What did happen the battery did get very hot. It was sitting on my work bench NOT CHARGING and I could smell something burning. I grabbed the battery and it was VERY HOT. I opened the window and tossed it in the snow bang. I dug it out a few hours later and the outer case was all melted. Figuring I did something wrong I broke the case apart but could not tell because everything was melted together. The second time I tried it I kept the case off and did not heat up but it did not work so I gave up on it. On 5 of the batteries I took apart only 1 or 2 batteries were dead and the rest were ok. If you are going to try it make sure you wear safety glasses because you never know what might happen.
     
  5. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    "Figuring I did something wrong ..."
    o_O :p :D
     
  6. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    I attempted a rebuild a while back===FAIL.

    They are not rebuildable.
     
  7. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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  8. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    yeah ...
    those/that is the only one(s) on peasebay .
    one left , i might have to pull the trigger on it .
    if it is NOS and no good , i can always return it .

    maybe i can build a full replacement pack .
    the Liion management circuitry ICs are pretty common and simple to incorporate into a design .
    the *talk-to-me* portion is not all that important .
     
  9. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    You will need to do some engineering. And some programming-flashing of the controller chip.
    I replaced all the cells and the controller failed it. The Toughbook controllers read the cycles and age and shutdown even if the cells are good. The battery refurbishers reset the firmware so the battery will work with new cells.

    Rebuilding these has been tried before. Never heard of any AT HOME success.
     
    UNCNDL1 likes this.