Jan Beta is back with another detailed Amiga restoration, this time focusing on a Blizzard 1230 battery replacement for his trusty Amiga 1200 accelerator card. Released in 1995, the Blizzard 1230 MK IV is known for its high compatibility and excellent performance, but even the best hardware eventually needs a little maintenance.
The video begins with Jan explaining that his Blizzard 1230’s clock had stopped keeping time—an issue caused by a dead rechargeable lithium cell. While not critical for gaming, a working clock helps maintain accurate timestamps for programming and file management. The original battery, a Panasonic VL2020 lithium rechargeable coin cell, had served faithfully for nearly three decades before losing its charge.
Replacing the Blizzard 1230 battery isn’t a simple swap. The lithium cell is soldered directly onto the densely packed accelerator board, so Jan carefully desolders the old battery using a portable iFixit soldering station. Safety is key, as overheating lithium cells can be risky. After checking polarity and verifying the replacement cell’s correct tabs, he installs a new Panasonic VL2020.
Once the repair is complete, Jan powers up the Amiga 1200 and verifies the fix. The clock now keeps accurate time again, confirming the successful replacement. He also showcases a clever CF card adapter with built-in sound feedback, an open-source project called “AmigaCF,” donated by Thomas (Autumn Hippo). It adds authentic disk noise to the system, making the Amiga feel even more alive.
The video ends with Jan’s usual humor and satisfaction. His careful, methodical approach turns what could be a daunting task into an accessible repair for other Amiga owners. Anyone looking to keep their Blizzard 1230 battery and accelerator running smoothly will find this walkthrough both practical and enjoyable.
