Gigabeat F replacement battery

[Mad Cow]

Is there a reason we trust the original battery protection PCB more than we trust the one from a 4G iPod battery?  What I'm getting at is I was under the impression that the PCB on the battery was simply a protection circuit, and not the charging circuit.  I would assume that if the 4G battery already has one, there is no need to remove it simply to replace it with another one.

That is true but the iPod battery has a 3 pin connection while the Gigabeat has a 2 pin connection.

Also should I post in the wiki that it is possible to use a iPod 4G battery in the Gigabeat or post how to mod the battery to work with the Gigabeat?

Yes, that information would be nice. Maybe post a small how-to and some pictures.

[jac0b]

Soap has brought up a good point I might just be able to switch the connector instead of the whole PCB which would be alot easier. I will have to wait for my other iPod batteries to come in the mail to test it out.

[Mad Cow]

I'll be getting my battery by thursday hopefully, I'll try switching the connector.

[soap]

Is there a reason we trust the original battery protection PCB more than we trust the one from a 4G iPod battery?  What I'm getting at is I was under the impression that the PCB on the battery was simply a protection circuit, and not the charging circuit.  I would assume that if the 4G battery already has one, there is no need to remove it simply to replace it with another one.

That is true but the iPod battery has a 3 pin connection while the Gigabeat has a 2 pin connection.

Also should I post in the wiki that it is possible to use a iPod 4G battery in the Gigabeat or post how to mod the battery to work with the Gigabeat?

I suggest you post in the wiki everything.
...the difference between a 3 pin connector and a 2 pin connector - and why one can't simply be replaced with the other.
...how to mod.
...what batteries are known to work.
...photos
...instructions galore.

[jac0b]

Thanks Mad Cow

Below is a pic of what I am thinking of doing just removing the connector from the gigabeat battery and putting it on the iPod battery and snipping off the third wire.

IMG_2351.JPG

Anyone have any comments on that?

[gnu]

I once removed the PCB of a cellphone battery and soldered an ipod nano's battery onto it (after snipping off the third wire), and it worked for me. No explosions or similar

[DeanMurray]

I did a google on Gigabeat F40 battery and this link came up.

http://www.ipods99.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TOSHGIGBTXL&Click=6711&gclid=CMy0i9rZ344CFQJsPAodr3tVMQ

[Mad Cow]

I did a google on Gigabeat F40 battery and this link came up.

http://www.ipods99.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TOSHGIGBTXL&Click=6711&gclid=CMy0i9rZ344CFQJsPAodr3tVMQ

That's cool, but alot more expensive than buying and modifying an ebay 4G battery. I guess it's better for people with little or no experience.

[Soader03]

And I'm not sure that this battery fits in the Gigabeat...

[jac0b]

I got 2 new iPod batteries. I swapped the connectors (check the below picture) but the iPod wire terminals are too small to fit over the terminals on the gigabeat but it does work with just changing out the connectors (you have to push the connector on with a finger nail) it charged and I am doing a battery benchmark on it right now. Also I don't know how good of a connection it has for real world use the wires may disconnect.  To make everything fit snug it looks like you just have to switch out the wires (solder the gigabeat wires to the iPod PCB/battery [no switching of PCBs necessary]).

IMG_2569.jpg

[jac0b]

Madcow,

Is that battery lasting or close lasting as long as the battery benchmark I posted?
These 2 batteries I just got are lasting around 18hrs but the first one I got lasts about 25hrs and they both say 1200mah.

Could it be the PCB or is it just a fake 1200mah battery thats really 900/1000mah?

[Mad Cow]

I don't know yet, I think something went wrong somewhere along the shipping route, still haven't got it yet.

[Mad Cow]

Just got it today, soldered on the original wires/connector, it's charing right now. I'll do a battery bench tomorrow. The hardest part about the whole thing was fitting the thicker battery into my dented, busted up case.

[jac0b]

Yeah the iPod batteries are definitely thicker than the OE gigabeat batteries.

Can't wait to see your benchmarks to see if they are comparable to the first iPod battery or the second one I got.

[Mad Cow]

Does you touchpad work weirdly with this new battery? On mine, the up part of the cross isn't as responsive as the other parts, and it sticks a bit if I hold it down for more than a second. I'm thinking it's the case, but I'm not sure.