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PowerBook 500 Series Powerbrick Replacment
Posted by: Zhinü on 2026-06-01 22:53:55
Recently picked up a PowerPC 540C from a friend, who had cut off the original power brick and replaced it with a generic 16V supply. I’m currently looking at his work and I’m curious on if I could just attach both the battery wires and the main power wires to the same 16v supply.

I don’t think anyone has done it, only theorized about it, but I wanna check in with others to see. Has anyone attached the two wires to the same supply?
Posted by: croissantking on 2026-06-01 23:12:19
Recently picked up a PowerPC 540C from a friend, who had cut off the original power brick and replaced it with a generic 16V supply. I’m currently looking at his work and I’m curious on if I could just attach both the battery wires and the main power wires to the same 16v supply.

I don’t think anyone has done it, only theorized about it, but I wanna check in with others to see. Has anyone attached the two wires to the same supply?

From what I understand, this would be dangerous. I think the battery charge side of the original PSU is intentionally limited to 1A.
Posted by: Zhinü on 2026-06-01 23:13:54
From what I understand, this would be dangerous. I think the battery charge side of the original PSU is intentionally limited to 1A.
Yeah I’ve been reading through your guys attempts on reviving the batteries. Good thing I didn’t wire it, guess I’m gonna have to find a 15v 1A brick and add that for charging the battery.
Posted by: jmacz on 2026-06-02 00:07:20
Yup, what @croissantking said. My bricks are two PSUs in one.. the battery side limited to 1A.
Posted by: Durosity on 2026-06-02 07:04:00
I'm gonna have to have a go at this sometime. I've got 2 full working 500 series, and a bit of a messy one, but only 1 PSU between them and I bet it's gonna go pop soon.
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