[comp.sys.hp] HP110 batteries

moku@sphinx.uchicago.edu (Mark Francillon) (08/09/87)

     I've just picked up a (barely) used hp110.  The problem at
this point is that the battery refuses to keep a charge (I unplug
ac, screen goes blank; reconnect ac, it says 0% charge).  The
manual's got all these skull-and-crossbones warnings about the
battery not being a user-replaceable part.  Can someone out there
who's been down this road before tell me what the options are?
Is there somewhere I can get a new battery as a spare part and
install it myself?  If not, what are the chances at this point of
finding an hp dealer who admits 110s exist and could fix one?

     Mark Francillon
     Dept. of Anthropology
     University of Chicago
     ...ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!moku 

mobo@sphinx.uchicago.edu (Samuel Wilson) (08/09/87)

In article <2156@sphinx.uchicago.edu> moku@sphinx.UUCP (Mark Francillon) writes:
>
>     I've just picked up a (barely) used hp110.  The problem at
>this point is that the battery refuses to keep a charge (I unplug
>ac, screen goes blank; reconnect ac, it says 0% charge).  The
>manual's got all these skull-and-crossbones warnings about the
>battery not being a user-replaceable part.  Can someone out there
>who's been down this road before tell me what the options are?
>Is there somewhere I can get a new battery as a spare part and
>install it myself?  If not, what are the chances at this point of
>finding an hp dealer who admits 110s exist and could fix one?
>
Me too.  Does anyone with HP portable experience know whether any
of the subsequent versions of the HP laptops use the same battery?
According to the docs for the 110, the dead part is a "6-volt, 
2.5 Ah gelled lead acid battery pack".  Sound familiar?  They also
suggest that you "do not attempt to incinerate or mutilate the 
battery pack" . . . I haven't yet, but I'm about to.

Samuel Wilson         ..ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!mobo
                            FOTMOBO@UCHMVS1.Bitnet
                                      MCI: SWILSON
University of Chicago, Division of Social Sciences

todd@uhccux.UUCP (The Perplexed Wiz) (08/12/87)

In article <2156@sphinx.uchicago.edu> moku@sphinx.UUCP (Mark Francillon) writes:
>     I've just picked up a (barely) used hp110.  The problem at
>this point is that the battery refuses to keep a charge (I unplug
>ac, screen goes blank; reconnect ac, it says 0% charge).  The

My battery is still ok.  Howeverm, I called the local HP a while back
to prepare for the day when the battery decides it doesn't want to
work anymore.

The local HP office gave me a quote of $75 to parts and labor to
replace the battery.  This is not really a bad price (though it
could be better).  For comparison.   My NEC MultiSpeed has a user
replaceable battery and I would have to pay $90 for just the battery
itself...todd

-- 
Todd Ogasawara, U. of Hawaii Center for Teaching Excellence
UUCP:		{ihnp4,seismo,ucbvax,dcdwest}!sdcsvax!nosc!uhccux!todd
ARPA:		uhccux!todd@nosc.MIL
INTERNET:	todd@uhccux.UHCC.HAWAII.EDU

dhk@hpcvlo.HP.COM (Dustin Kassman) (08/13/87)

This is an unofficial response but maybe it will help.  Yes, a Portable PLUS
battery will work in a 110.  However, the problem may not be your battery.  
If the display goes blank immediately when you unplug the recharger, chances 
are that you have a blown fuse.  Unfortunately, the fuse is not user replaceable
because it is soldered to the circuit board.  On a Portable PLUS it is located 
to the right of the + terminal of the battery and labeled F1.  You should be 
able to check for continuity through it.  Of course, the battery may be bad 
also.  If the problem still exists after replacing the battery you will 
probably have to have the fuse replaced. 

Hope that this helps you get your 110 going.  They are really rugged and alot
of fun (tuck it under your arm and go).  Good luck.

		Dustin Kassman
		!hplabs!hp-pcd!dhk

dag@hp-lsd.UUCP (08/13/87)

The HP part numbers for the batteries are:

The PORTABLE       1420-0329
The Portable PLUS  1420-0346

This is public  information  from the HP Computer Users  Catalog.
That's all the  information  there is about them in it.  There is
also a warning that they are "Not customer installable", whatever
that  means.  I  usually  take  that as a  challenge,  but  I'm a
Toad-Key.



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       "Usual disclaimer about who's responsible for my mouth."
David Geiser
Hewlett-Packard
Logic System Division
P.O.B. 617
Colorado Springs, CO 80901-0617

UUCP:       {hplabs,cbosgd}!hp-lsd!dag
CSNET:      hp-lsd!dag@hp-labs.csnet
ARPA:       hp-lsd!dag%hp-labs@csnet-relay.arpa
INTERNET:   dag@hp-lsd.HP.COM
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bw@hpcvlo.HP.COM (Bill Wilhelmi) (08/31/87)

Another possiblity exists:  these batteries don't respond well to a 
"dishonorable" discharge.  That is, if you run the battery all the way
down, chances are you won't get it to hold a charge again.  The best
bet is to get it replaced at an HP Field Repair Center.  Information
about the closest FRC is in the documentation for the HP 110/P+.



Bill Wilhelmi
Hewlett-Packard
Cornvallis, Oregon