--- In chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com, "Phidippus Audax" <mao@...> wrote:

>
> Man and I scared. I need to check my batteries because I know they
> are very very old and I'm afraid they may be leaking. But all this
> cracked ribbon info really has me worried. If I do get in and out
> safely, I think I'll configure another way to change out the battery
> like creating an externally accessible battery compartment... Any
> thoughts ?
>

Ive heard people say this but if you dont even touch or let the ribbon
cables brush against anything it should be fine, its sandwiched and
secured to two pieces of steel. Im redoing all the ribbon cables with
new wire soldered where the connectors were to the best part of the
ribbon traces, which ill secure flat and will no longer have a bend to
connect to the panels, all of mine had at least a bit of cracks, but
there is alot of slack ribbon left on mine, should be better(more
reliable) than new. Really not as hard as it sounds if you have no
cracks down low on the ribbons where they disappear between the steel.

But making sure the batteries havent leaked and replacing them seems a
good thing to do. Have someone gently hover the control panel above
the board enough for you to swap the batteries.

good luck. -jack