8543 Battery Pack Trivia
Peter has some horrid flashbacks and recalls:
   Normally there is one cell of the whole block on the last leg. I disposed a large number of L40SX battery packs when my office moved in '96. Today I'm a bit sorry about that - I use to part out the case and fill it with "industrial standard" cells of a particular size. 

The main problems: 
   a) the cells are NiCd, which are prone to "memory" problems
   b) the charger circuit is crap. 
   c) Users operated the L40SX permanently on the AC adapter and maybe for a few minutes on batteries ... then putting it back to the charger. That causes the memory effect and cooks the battery in the long run. 
   d) The temperature sensor in the battery in most cases is not properly attached to one of the innermost cells that heat up first when charge reaches the endpoint. Thermal coupling is rather poor and the cells are permanently overcharged and overheated. Poor design to begin with. 

   IBM had various ECAs on the L40: LCD brightness, battery lifetime, Serial and Parallel port power, battery lifetime again, exploding battery chargers, isolation problems in the DC/DC converter circuit with fire hazard, shot fuses in charger circuit, runtime on batteries and how to save energy and extend the runtime on batteries. (These were the ones I recall after the many years ...)

Testing the Rechargeable Battery 
1. Remove the keyboard. 
2. Set the rechargeable battery in place without connecting any external power devices. 
3. Measure the voltage between terminals 1 (+) and 2 (-) and note the voltage. 

 

4.  Using the AC adapter, apply external power to the computer. Make sure that a charge arrow appears in the system-status display. 
5. Measure the voltage again between terminals 

                   1 (+) and 2 (-). 

     If the voltage is not greater than the one measured in Step 3, replace the AC adapter. If the voltage is greater than the one measured in Step 3, go to the next step. 
6. Remove the rechargeable battery from the computer. 
7. Measure the voltage at the battery terminals. 

 

Pin  Voltage (Vdc)
 1     +8.5 to +12.6
 3     Ground
 

 If the voltage is not correct, the rechargeable battery is discharged or defective.  If the voltage is correct, go to the next step. 
 

8. Using a low-power ohm meter, measure the resistance at the battery terminals between 2 (T) and 3 (-). The resistance must be 4 kilohms to 30 kilohms. If the resistance is out of range, replace the rechargeable battery. 

Will the 8543 run without a battery installed?

Rick Ekblaw replies:
   Yes, the L40SX will happily run from AC only with no battery installed.  If you don't insist on being "color coordinated", an IBM 5140 (PC Convertible) power supply will work on the L40SX, the "big bricks" have the same power rating (15VDC, 2.7A, center positive).  Don't bother with the little "Battery Charger" wall-wart for the 5140, it only puts out 200mA, and it won't even charge the battery in the L40SX, much less run the machine.  A decent electronics store should be able to supply you with a suitable generic power supply, but they may have to special order it because their usual "stock" supplies will max out at either 1A or 2A.

   A semi-rare item for the L40SX is the automotive power adapter (part number 79F1013, FRU 79F1039).

Testing the Backup Battery
1. Remove the keyboard and the top cover. 
2. Measure the voltage at the connectors of the backup battery. 

Pin   Voltage (Vdc)
 1      +2.8 to +3.2 
 2      Ground 

If the voltage is not correct, the backup battery is discharged by a short circuit or is defective. 
 

Testing the Standby Battery 
      NOTE: The charging time required is 48 hours. 

1. Remove the keyboard and the top cover. 
2. Connect the AC adapter to the computer. 
3. Disconnect the standby battery connector from the system board and measure the voltage at the connector of the standby battery as shown. 

    Pin      Voltage (Vdc)
      1           +3.0 to +4.5
      2            Ground
 

If the voltage is correct, perform the failing operation with a fully-charged standby battery to isolate the problem. 
If the voltage is not correct, continue. 
 
 

4. Measure the output voltage at the connector on the system board. 

 

If the voltage is higher than measured in Step 3, the standby battery is discharged or is defective. 
If the voltage is the same as measured in Step 3. or less than +3.0 Vdc, replace the standby battery. If the problem remains,replace the system board. 

Testing the Quick Charger 
    NOTE:  If a noise can be heard from the operating quick charger, replace it. 
1. Perform steps 6 through 8 in 'Testing the Rechargeable Battery', to verify the rechargeable battery for correct operation. 
2. Plug the quick charger into an electrical outlet. If the amber power indicator does not turn on, replace the quick charger. 
3. Install the rechargeable battery. If the green charging indicator is not blinking, replace the quick charger. 

Testing the AC Adapter 
1. If a noise can be heard from the AC adapter when it is plugged into line voltage, replace the AC adapter.  If a noise still comes from the AC adapter, suspect the computer. 
     If not, the AC adapter has a problem.  Replace the AC adapter with the original one, then go to the next step. 
2. Measure the output voltage at the plug of the AC adapter cable. 

 Pin      Voltage (Vdc)
   1         +14.3 to +15.8
   2          Ground

 If the voltage is not correct, replace the AC adapter. 
 
 

  The A/C adapter plugged into the L40,  but the battery icons indicate that the battery is still being drained.  The A/C adapter is plugged into both the wall and the L40.  Do I have a bad battery? 
  There is a third connection to double-check: the plug from the L40 to the A/C adapter.  It may have worked its way loose. 

AC Adapter Parts
Peter Sez:
   Ah ... it is 15V DC, 2.7 Amps, center positive, outer diameter 1/4" (6.25mm), inner diameter 1/8" (3mm). 

Aron replies
  Peter, that's very close - the size is 6.3mm outer, 3.0mm inner (it's a standard plug which I think is available at Radio Shack here, and if not then it can be ordered online from them).  The original AC adapter is FRU 79F0993.

The L40's power use falls within the Energy Star's guidelines

When I get my L40 back together, I'll have to check these out-
Idle.exe
Pm_bios.386
Ps2.exe
Pwrmgmt.sys