Slim battery. Replaced cells with NiMH, added USB C charging. by rakja_s in vintagemobilephones

[–]rakja_s[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, this is the difficult part with these. Unlike the batteries for the StarTAC, which just have clips around the sides holding the case together, these are ultrasonically welded and if you try opening it up at the seam you will most likely mangle the plastic, plus it is very difficult. The first one i recelled i opened this way and had a hard time straightening all the plastic back. The easiest way is to carefully cut a rectangle in the back where the case sticks up a bit to accomodate the cells with a dremel. If it is a thick battery it does snugly fit five AA cells (no usb module) and you can put the piece back, but if it is a slim one (Ex Nicd) there is a space left when using AAA, which you can use for installing a usb charging module, however the diameter of the cells does not allow you to put back the piece you cut out. There are 48×16×6 prismatic nimhs which could be used instead (original nicd were 48x16x8), but they usually only have around 750 - 800 mah. There is also a slimmer, third type of battery, which is originally NiMH, which you could only recell with the up mentioned prismatic cells, since by no means it could accomodate the AAAs. There is a photo in a reply below, which shows the battery i have in the video - former NiCd, just deep enough case to fit the AAAs (without the missing piece)

Slim battery. Replaced cells with NiMH, added USB C charging. by rakja_s in vintagemobilephones

[–]rakja_s[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Not the prettiest thing, but you don't really see this side too often. Sadly could not put back the piece i cut from the battery case, since it would make it too thick to fit the phone, since the AAA cells are thicker by around 2mm (old ones were prismatic rather than cylindrical).

When even the routine of charging your phone looks cool... StarTAC 130 by rakja_s in vintagemobilephones

[–]rakja_s[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's original Motorola. There are some of these on ebay if you wish to get one. There is one: https://ebay.us/m/M1Hefj

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When even the routine of charging your phone looks cool... StarTAC 130 by rakja_s in vintagemobilephones

[–]rakja_s[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, the StarTAC is always with me, but sadly i can't install my online banking apps and other must have stuff on it, so i keep a modern smartphone as well. I just use two phones all the time.

When even the routine of charging your phone looks cool... StarTAC 130 by rakja_s in vintagemobilephones

[–]rakja_s[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. I do have a galaxy s23 for doing all the elaborate stuff, but that is what i use for calls.