NvRAMs
are another option, they aren't always the simplest or the most cost
effective. For one, they don't preserve the function of the Real Time
Clock (RTC). While it's not a necessary function for most games, I
believe that most collectors want their games to function as designed.
Also not all RAM chips are socketed making installation more difficult.
If the RAM is socketed, it could still have acid corrosion or be worn
out and not hold the NvRAM tightly. NvRAMs can and do fail. I understand
batteries die, but they are much simpler and cheaper to replace.
Another
option is remote battery packs. To me this is the most ridiculous
solution. When the board has to come out for service you either have to
disconnect it meaning all of your settings are going to be lost, or
you'll have to work on the board with a battery pack flopping around.
And if you think a remote battery pack is going to save you from acid
damage, it won't. It will only buy you time. I have seen several
instances where acid has traveled up the wires.
My
battery boards fit into the existing battery holder location. The fact
that it has to be soldered in is due to the design of the game, not my
boards. They stay permanently attached to the board, require no
modifications and can easily be removed when someone is willing to pay
you 5 grand more for your game if it had the original AA batteries. I
take every step I can to make all my boards a complete solution and as
easy as possible for you, my customer and it comes with a battery.
One
last point I want to make is a lot of people are making claims about
the voltage differences between three AA battery packs (4.5v) and the
CR2032 coin cells used in my battery boards (3.0v). They are also
claiming that the CR2032 won't last as long due to the fact they have
less milliamps. I had one guy comment that he prefers to use the AA
batteries due to the advantage of having 4.5 volts as opposed to just 3
volts. Advantage? What advantage? Does he think 300 million points are
going to be added to his high score every time he turns his game off or
something? The fact is both of those claims are wrong. Over 6 years of
real world testing has proven 2 things. The first is that 3 volts is
adequate to maintain game memory during power down. The second is that
the CR2032 coin cell provides enough milliamps to last about 5 years. I
think the reason the coin cells outlast the AA alkaline cell is due to
the chemical composition differences of the two, although that's purely
speculation.