Beatrice Lang
Electric toothbrushes are increasingly popular due to their ease of use and effectiveness. However, they can be a nuisance when they malfunction, and the cost of replacing them can be high. Many manufacturers claim that their devices are not user serviceable, but this is often untrue, and with some online help, it is possible to repair them yourself. This introduction will discuss how to fix an Oral B electric toothbrush, including steps such as dismantling the toothbrush, replacing the battery, and soldering techniques.
Characteristics and Values Table for Fixing an Oral B Electric Toothbrush
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of repair | Oral B toothbrushes are considered to be repairable by users, despite manufacturer warnings against it. |
| Tools required | Soldering iron, small adjustable spanner, temperature-controlled soldering station, small screwdriver, battery spot welder. |
| Battery replacement | The battery can be replaced by dismantling the toothbrush, de-soldering the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), and sliding out the old battery before inserting a new one and re-soldering. |
| Cost of repair | The cost of repair can vary depending on the tools and battery required, but it is generally much cheaper than buying a new toothbrush. |
| Online resources | There are online guides, videos, and forums dedicated to helping users repair their Oral B toothbrushes. |
| Environmental impact | Repairing toothbrushes reduces electronic waste and is more environmentally sustainable than frequently replacing them. |
| Manufacturer support | Oral B is making DIY repairs easier with its IO line of toothbrushes, which can be opened without specialist tools. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing the old battery
To remove the old battery from your Oral B electric toothbrush, you will first need to open the toothbrush. Most Oral B brushes can be opened by holding the toothbrush and the charging stand together, and then twisting the stand to pop the bottom cap off. You can also use a small adjustable spanner to twist and open the toothbrush.
Once opened, set aside the main body and the spring, as you will not need these until you are ready to reassemble the toothbrush. On one side of the mechanism, you will find the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The PCB controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor. De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and the cell in position. Two of the tabs go to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative sides of the cell. The negative tab on the cell needs to be bent up to enable the PCB to be removed. Once this is done, the PCB can be lifted away from the rest of the mechanism, and the cell can be slid out of the body of the mechanism.
It is important to note that the NiMH battery contains toxic materials and should not be thrown away with regular trash. Take the old battery to a hazardous waste collection area for safe disposal.
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Opening the toothbrush
To open an Oral-B electric toothbrush, you will need to dismantle it. This process may vary depending on the type of toothbrush you have. For example, the process for dismantling the Braun Oral-B Professional Care Type 3756 electric toothbrush is different from that of the Type 3767 brush.
Let's focus on the process for the Braun Oral-B Professional Care Type 3756 electric toothbrush, which also applies to Type 3754 toothbrushes. These include the Professional Care, PRO and TriZone 600, 1000, 2000 and 3000 model names, and others.
- Use a small adjustable spanner and place it around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush.
- Twist the spanner anticlockwise.
- After twisting about 30 degrees, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush.
- The inner mechanism should now be able to slide out easily. Be careful not to lose the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil).
- Set aside the main body and the spring, as you won't need these until you reassemble the toothbrush.
- On one side of the mechanism, you will find the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The PCB controls the charging of the cell (battery) and also drives the motor.
- De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of the tabs go to the motor, while the other two go to the positive and negative ends of the cell.
- Bend up the negative tab on the cell to enable the PCB to be removed.
- Once the PCB is removed, the cell can be slid out of the body of the mechanism.
Now that you have successfully opened your Oral-B electric toothbrush, you can proceed with any necessary repairs or maintenance. Remember to keep all the parts organized and safely stored to facilitate the reassembly process.
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Desoldering the PCB
To desolder the PCB of an Oral B electric toothbrush, follow these steps:
First, set aside the main body and the spring, as these won't be needed until the reassembly stage. On one side of the mechanism is the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The PCB controls the charging of the cell (battery) and also drives the motor. Turning the mechanism over will reveal the cell, which is yellow in colour.
Next, desolder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of these tabs connect to the motor, while the other two connect to the positive and negative sides of the cell. The negative tab on the cell needs to be bent upwards to enable the PCB to be removed. Once this is done, the PCB can be lifted away from the rest of the mechanism.
After removing the PCB, it is important to inspect the white plastic battery carrier. It is held in place by two tabs in the metal frame. Gently pull the plastic battery carrier along the metal frame, using a screwdriver to carefully pry the plastic up and over the metal tabs, one side at a time.
Now, release the clips that hold the black coil carrier to the battery carrier and gently bend the coil carrier away. Release the clips holding the PCB to the battery carrier and carefully lift the PCB away. Be cautious not to short-circuit the two terminals on anything metal.
Finally, compare the battery to its replacement. These are typically 49mm long, 14mm in diameter, and 3.7V Li-ion batteries.
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$37.99
Soldering the new battery
Soldering a new battery into your Oral B electric toothbrush is a simple process, but it does require some basic tools and a steady hand. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Prepare the Toothbrush
Before you begin soldering, you need to open your toothbrush and remove the old battery. First, separate the toothbrush from the charging stand and twist the stand to pop off the bottom cap. Set the charging stand aside, as you won't need it until you're reassembling the toothbrush. Now, you need to remove the inner mechanism of the toothbrush. Using a small adjustable spanner, twist anticlockwise around the flat white plastic part of the toothbrush until it disengages from the main body. The inner mechanism should now slide out easily. Be careful not to lose the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil). With the mechanism removed, you can now access the battery.
Now it's time to solder! On one side of the mechanism, you'll find the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and the old battery in position. Two of these tabs connect to the motor, while the other two connect to the positive and negative sides of the battery. When de-soldering, be cautious and gentle to avoid damaging any other components. Once the old battery is removed, measure your new battery. If it is 42mm long, you may have the option to fit a longer battery, which will increase the time between charges. However, this may require modifying the plastic housing to accept a larger battery. Whether you're using a longer battery or not, carefully slide the new battery into the body of the mechanism, ensuring that the positive tab of the cell lines up with the slot and will connect to the PCB.
Reassemble the Toothbrush
Now it's time to put your toothbrush back together. Re-solder the four joints that you previously de-soldered, remembering to bend the negative tab 90 degrees so that it can be soldered to the PCB. With the spring at the base inserted into the coil, carefully slide the assembly back into the body of the toothbrush. Ensure that the switch on the PCB is lined up with the button molding on the outside of the case, and press the two parts together firmly. They should snap together securely. And that's it! Your toothbrush is now ready to use again.
Tips and Tricks
- When soldering, be careful not to overheat the PCB, as this could cause damage. A temperature-controlled soldering station is recommended.
- After soldering, use a magnifying glass to check for any solder splashes or balls that could cause problems later on.
- If your toothbrush doesn't work immediately, try placing it on the charging cradle momentarily to re-energize the internal chip.
- Remember to dispose of your old battery properly at a hazardous waste collection point.
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Reassembling the toothbrush
Now that you have replaced the battery, it is time to reassemble the toothbrush. First, slide the new cell back into the body of the mechanism. Make sure to align the positive tab of the cell with the slot so that it lines up with the PCB. Next, resolder the four joints that were previously desoldered. Remember to bend the negative tab 90 degrees so that it can be soldered to the PCB.
With the soldering complete, it's time to put the mechanism back into the toothbrush body. Place the spring at the base of the mechanism inside the copper coil, and then slide the assembly back into the body. Ensure that the parts are aligned by checking that the switch on the PCB lines up with the button moulding on the outside of the case. Once aligned, press the two parts together firmly; they should snap together.
If the toothbrush doesn't work initially, don't panic. Simply place it back on the charging cradle momentarily to re-energise the internal chip. Your toothbrush should now be working again!
If you have an Oral B IO model, reassembly is even easier. After sliding out the mechanism and popping out the battery, simply twist the bottom cap back on using the circular charger as a tool.
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Frequently asked questions
Most Oral B brushes can be opened by holding the toothbrush and the charging stand together, and then twisting the stand to pop the bottom cap off.
Once the toothbrush is open, you will need to remove the battery. You can do this by placing a small adjustable spanner around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush and twisting it anticlockwise. After twisting about 30 degrees, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush, and the inner mechanism, including the battery, should slide out easily.
To replace the battery, you will need to purchase a new battery of the same size or modify your toothbrush to accept a larger one. You will then need to use a soldering iron to desolder the 4 tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. You can then slide the new battery into the body of the mechanism, being careful to align the positive tab with the slot so that it lines up with the PCB. Finally, you will need to resolder the 4 joints and reassemble the toothbrush.
The old battery from your Oral B toothbrush should not be thrown away with regular trash as it contains toxic materials. Instead, take the old battery to a hazardous waste collection area, such as Lowes or Home Depot.
