Battery Is Precharging and Can't Be Read

Introduction

Underneath the pretty aluminium box, Apple'southward RAID Card batteries are just bog-standard lithium polymer cells with some control gear.

When they fail later a twelvemonth or two in service you can bet the £££ you'll fork out to replace it that the cell isn't expressionless, but instead has got itself into a stuck state where the RAID menu is confused virtually what to do with it.

In this guide I volition outline how to open up the battery and recondition or even replace the cell, at significantly lower cost than buying a new battery.

Please don't endeavour this repair unless you lot already take a adept thought of what you're doing. Any mistakes accept the potential to exist extremely unsafe.

• The RAID card battery has various error codes that indicate it's status, which appear in RAID Utility when in that location's a problem.

• The error codes follow the format "Battery failed (code 0x#0 = XX)", where 'XX' can be a number, usually 17, 18 or 19. Good luck finding out what any of those mean... You may as well run across "Battery failed (other than expired)".

• In most cases this guide will show successful regardless of the error code.



• If you lot're working on an Intel XServe you'll need to locate the right disassembly guide that shows yous how to remove the bombardment. This normally means removing the air ducting, fan assy., RAID card and power distribution board. You lot'll besides demand a screwdriver to prise the battery from the chassis, just be careful non to bend information technology.

• For Mac Pro RAID cards yous can follow this guide.

• Now the battery'southward out, it's fourth dimension to open it upwardly. From this indicate on you should be extremely conscientious, as damaging the bombardment could cause a fire. If the battery starts getting hot, or you slip and harm it, throw it outside immediately.

• The bombardment example comprises a base and a lid, held together by some hot glue around the inside. Some gentle persuasion with a screwdriver around the edge is all it takes to carve up the 2 pieces.

• In order to check and recondition the battery's prison cell we'll demand to get at it directly, bypassing the control systems. This means we will have NO brusk-circuit or overload protection, so accept actress care.

• Pare back the black insulation to expose the cell's terminals (Never let these points become electrically connected) and bank check with a voltmeter.

• If you come across a voltage greater than virtually 4V, the RAID Card is charging the battery but information technology can't tell when it's finished. Proceed to pace 5.

• If you see a voltage significantly less than iii.6V, then the RAID Carte is non charging the battery. Proceed to stride half-dozen.

• Grab an sometime torch (or flashlight for those over the pond) and pull the light bulb out. This will serve as our load. (Note: This needs to be an incandescent bulb)

• Connect the bulb across the ii terminals of the cell without letting the terminals touch. (A gear up of crocodile clip leads makes this a breeze). The bulb should light.

• Connect your voltmeter likewise and watch the voltage fall. Disconnect the seedling when it reaches effectually 3.5V and proceed to charging (Step 6).

• If your cell is charged to less than 3.6V, or you've merely discharged it, the side by side step is to recharge information technology up to around 3.7V where the RAID card should be able to pick up and carry on.

• Use a Constant Current ability supply, ready to a maximum voltage of iii.7V and a maximum current of around 500mA. Connect the output straight to the jail cell'south terminals and switch on. Monitor the prison cell's temperature while charging and reduce the electric current if it starts getting warm to the touch.

• Once three.7V is reached, allow the current to drop below 100mA and switch off the power supply. The battery is now charged and prepare to go dorsum on the RAID card.

• Ensure the prison cell's terminals are covered by the blackness insulation and replace the comprehend. We'll glue it back on when we're sure the cell is working.

• At present reinstall the battery onto the RAID card and fire upwards the machine. If all has gone well, the RAID card will start charging the bombardment and subsequently a few hours switch to "Fully Charged".

• If later refreshing / recharging the bombardment the RAID utility nonetheless reports an error, first double cheque the voltage of the cell and consider trying steps 5/6 again. If this doesn't piece of work the cell is across repair and will need to be replaced.

• If you accept been unable to recondition the prison cell to a state where the RAID card will have it, the cell will need to be replaced. (It is also possible the RAID card is faulty, but it's much more than probable to be the battery)

• Purchase a "606168" Rechargeable Lithium cell from your supplier of choice. If you tin can get i with offset terminals like the original cell then it'll make replacement a lot easier, but almost have symmetrical terminals.

• Unless you accept a battery tab welder, yous'll demand to solder the new battery in identify. Don't dwell for too long or the cell will oestrus up. The new cell should come up already charged, so follow Step 7 to reinstall the battery.

Conclusion

If y'all see a dark-green battery symbol in RAID utility and then the repair has been a success! You can now mucilage or tape the bombardment back together and enjoy hopefully another year or two of service from information technology.

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Source: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Xserve-Mac+Pro+RAID+Card+Battery+Repair/39665

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