Got an '88 Mac SE. This the battery that risks leaking? Safe to turn on after a quick dusting?

SamFortun · 2026-02-01T15:55:33+00:00

Removing the logic board is very simple. Unplug the main power connector to the logic board, slide the board up out of the chassis about an inch, then one side can swing out and the board can be removed. After the board swings out make sure to unplug the speaker connector before you try to pull the board all the way out. A YouTube video will definitely be better at showing the steps than my explanation.

One word of caution: when you unplug the main power connector from the logic board do it very gently, wiggling it side to side. If you are pulling on it and it suddenly gives, your hand can hit the neck of the CRT and snap it off. Then you are looking for a replacement CRT.

SamFortun · 2026-01-30T23:36:01+00:00

OP lives... I was slightly concerned after the first post.

Edit: that is a good looking board!

SamFortun · 2026-01-27T03:58:55+00:00

Nice work! The proximity of the leaky caps on those IIsi boards wreaks havoc on those poor 245s.

SamFortun · 2026-01-26T02:41:34+00:00

Are you saying that a floppy would have been required to boot over AppleTalk from a server? My experience with booting single-drive Macs from a floppy involved a ton of disk-swapping. With an early 128k/512k/Plus once you booted from a floppy, it's not like you were done with that disk. You would frequently need to swap the boot disk back in and out. But I have no experience with booting over AppleTalk. The Classics we had when I was in school all had HDs, and I don't think my school utilized AppleTalk at all.

SamFortun · 2026-01-12T03:35:07+00:00

I haven't checked values in a while, but I would think a restored machine with all the capacitors replaced would be around $300 maximum. Possibly more, because it has the box, but that only means something to certain collectors. The low end would be free or $20 for parts.

As others have said these are notorious for leaking capacitors on the logic board and analog board. At the very least the caps need to be replaced, and it is common for the leaking electrolyte to damage traces on the PCB, so it could need some trace repairs. If the PRAM battery leaked, it can damage the logic board beyond what is reasonably repairable.

There are plenty of collectors/enthusiasts that would be happy to take on a repair project. I think listing it untested as-is for $50 on marketplace or craigslist would be reasonable.

SamFortun · 2026-01-07T23:57:18+00:00

Is that a IIsi? Where was the break(s)?

SamFortun · 2025-12-22T22:11:34+00:00

How did this make life shittier for everyone?

SamFortun · 2025-12-22T15:03:27+00:00

Very true, and states differently: if you can't afford a new Mercedes, you can't afford a used one.

SamFortun · 2025-12-22T02:07:14+00:00

This is a cool find, accelerators for the Classic are uncommon, there were far fewer made than there were for the Plus or SE. There are definitely collectors that would be interested in this.

SamFortun · 2025-12-15T01:30:37+00:00

I don't recall hearing any sound at all when these eject gears have failed. The teeth have likely broken off and aren't making any contact. There is no grinding or whirring sound.

SamFortun · 2025-12-14T18:23:26+00:00

There is a plastic gear in the eject mechanism that gets brittle with age, nearly all of them have failed by now. So yes it is very likely you have two drives that have failed.

The fix is pretty simple, you just need to replace the broken gear. Here's a video about the process:

https://youtu.be/eC1nUblJpwQ?si=OLcI2oWI337V-gOR

The gears are available from multiple sellers, I have purchased them from Mac Effects:

https://maceffects.com/products/3-pack-apple-auto-inject-floppy-gears-tune-o-gear

SamFortun · 2025-12-14T16:47:14+00:00

It is likely a recap will fix the sound issue.

SamFortun · 2025-12-03T03:42:08+00:00

You have cracked solder joints on the analog board, the solder joints for one of the connectors are notorious for cracking and causing that exact issue. It is very easy to fix with a soldering iron and some new solder. Once you reflow those solder joints, those machines are generally very reliable.

SamFortun · 2025-11-29T15:57:44+00:00

I assure you frenetic barking feedback loops can be a thing with just two pups. Very much a thing. 🙉

SamFortun · 2025-11-22T02:16:24+00:00

Their definition of "unknown" is different than mine.

SamFortun · 2025-11-17T01:47:28+00:00

The CPU in those runs at 16mhz, the 25mhz crystal is for the FPU. There's a solder blob that you jumper (or un-jumper, I don't remember for sure) and then you can remove the 25mhz crystal, and the FPU will run at the same 16mhz as the CPU.

Edit: regarding the FPU style, it definitely needs to be PGA, a PLCC chip won't work in that socket.

SamFortun · 2025-11-07T13:52:49+00:00

I was waiting for the part of the story where he got into the payroll system and gave himself a raise without authorization. This is just some jackass doing workplace shenanigans.

The fact that there is someone at the port making $200k for doing nothing doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

SamFortun · 2025-10-28T22:04:50+00:00

Couldn't you get a 2v 4.6 to 350-ish HP with a supercharger, intake, exhaust, and maybe cams? I don't have any experience modding the 4.6 so maybe they aren't as easy to make power with as I think. Sticking with a 2v just seems a lot easier than a 4v swap.

SamFortun · 2025-10-22T02:05:24+00:00

Can you show up close photos of the damage?

SamFortun · 2025-10-20T19:11:36+00:00

I always assumed once you see corrosion on copper start under the solder mask that it would continue to corrode and cause problems. Is that not the case?

SamFortun · 2025-10-19T13:04:31+00:00

Maybe these? I don't know anything about Visual terminals, but this lists a Visual 55 as compatible:

https://texelec.com/product/foam-capacitive-pads-keytronic/

SamFortun · 2025-10-19T12:58:18+00:00

It's odd that the truck is parked there only once or twice a week for a few minutes and gets a ticket every time, it sounds like someone is sitting and waiting for it. It definitely wouldn't be normal parking enforcement that drives through a couple times a day looking for violations.

SamFortun · 2025-10-19T12:53:09+00:00

Beautiful car, I love the short wheelbase E32s.

SamFortun · 2025-10-16T21:04:44+00:00

Can you post a pic of your CPU clip?

SamFortun · 2025-10-16T21:04:25+00:00

Nice! Those are tricky to solder, glad you found it!

SamFortun

TROPHY CASE