This is a drop-in replacement for RTC modules with solid body. Such modules were widely used on 486 and Pentium mainboards back in the days. After so many years the battery inside of such modules got empty and there is no way to exchange it. With empty battery BIOS settings can not be saved and so many mainboards can't even boot properly. This alternative solution has a socket for CR1225 and the battery can be easily replaced again, when it gets empty. This module can be used with BQ3285, BQ4285 or pin compatible RTC chips, dependent on the requirements. This module was tested only with the named ICs, but it should be also compatible with DS1385, which has additional 2KB of NVRAM and was used on many microchannel and EISA mainboards.

This part should be compatible with following RTC modules:

Dallas DS1287 / DS12887 / DS12B887 (using BQ3285)

Dallas DS1387 (using DS1385, untested so far)

Dallas DS14287 (using BQ4285)

Benchmarq BQ3287 (using BQ3285)

Benchmarq BQ4287 (using BQ4285)

ODIN OEC12C887 (using BQ3285)

Remarks to the used RTC chips

Pay attention, which RTC IC you need. Most of the mainboards with an RTC module need BQ3285, but some EISA mainboards require BQ4285 with chip enable signaling on pins 21/22 to control external memory. The Benchmarq ICs are easier to find today, that's why they are proposed, but there are some compatible ICs existing which can be used instead as well:

Benchmarq BQ3285 = Dallas DS12885

Benchmarq BQ4285 = Dallas DS14285

Cutting the module pins

Important: some mainboards seem to use /RCL pin 21, so cut it first if you are sure, that your mainboard doesn't use it.

Dependent on which RTC chip you are using you have to cut off some pins on the module. If you are using BQ3285, you need to remove pins 2,3,16,20,21,22. When using BQ4285 you need to remove pins 2,3,16,20.

Bill of Materials

Part#DescriptionU11Real-Time Clock BQ3285S or BQ4285S SO-24Y11Crystal oscillator 32.768kHz 6pFBT11CR1220 / CR1225 SMD battery holder