Molly Ayala
Electric toothbrushes, such as those from Oral-B and Braun, often come with built-in rechargeable batteries that are soldered into place. While manufacturers may not recommend it, it is possible to carefully remove and replace these batteries using tools like a soldering iron, a precision screwdriver, and a light touch. Before attempting any repairs, it is important to check the warranty status, as tampering with the device may void manufacturer guarantees. Additionally, safety precautions should be taken, such as discharging the battery below 25% to reduce the risk of a thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair process.
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What You'll Learn
- Discharge the battery below 25% to reduce the risk of accidents
- Remove the brush head and twist the toothbrush to disengage the plastic
- De-solder the battery connections and remove the motherboard
- Slide out the old battery and insert a new one
- Reassemble the toothbrush by snapping or screwing it together
Discharge the battery below 25% to reduce the risk of accidents
To remove the battery from an electric toothbrush safely, it is recommended to discharge the battery below 25% to reduce the risk of accidents. This is especially important if your battery is swollen, as there is a risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is damaged during removal.
Most new electric toothbrushes use Li-ion batteries, which last longest when used between 20% and 80% charge. Therefore, it is beneficial to discharge your toothbrush fully every six months to maintain the maximum capacity of the battery. This can be done by simply leaving the toothbrush off the charger until the battery is fully discharged.
Additionally, allowing the battery to discharge naturally can help extend its lifespan. While it is convenient to leave your toothbrush on the charger at all times, this can prevent the battery from ever running down. By regularly allowing the battery to discharge, you can ensure that it lasts longer before needing to be replaced.
It is also worth noting that different electric toothbrush models have varying charging times. For example, the Oral-B iO 7, 8, and 9 Series Toothbrushes require only about three hours to fully charge, while other models can take between 12 to 18 hours. Therefore, when discharging your toothbrush below 25%, ensure you plan accordingly to allow sufficient time for recharging.
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Remove the brush head and twist the toothbrush to disengage the plastic
To remove the battery from an electric toothbrush, you will first need to remove the brush head. Hold the toothbrush body in one hand and use your thumb to press down on the top of the toothbrush assembly. Pull the toothbrush assembly out of the opening at the bottom end of the toothbrush body.
Now that the brush head is removed, you can proceed to disengage the plastic. Twist the toothbrush about 30 degrees to release the white plastic from the main body of the toothbrush. Once the plastic is disengaged, the inner mechanism, which includes the PCB (printed circuit board), should slide out easily. Take care not to lose the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil).
With the inner mechanism removed, you can now access the battery. De-solder the tabs holding the PCB and battery in place. Two tabs connect to the motor, while the other two connect to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. After de-soldering, carefully lift the PCB away from the mechanism. Finally, slide the battery out of the body of the mechanism.
When replacing the battery, ensure that you slide the new battery into the body of the mechanism, aligning the positive tab with the slot for the PCB. Then, place the PCB back onto the mechanism, soldering the tabs back into place. Securely attach the battery and PCB within the mechanism before reassembling the toothbrush.
It is important to note that you should not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools. If needed, use a plastic tool like a spudger to gently remove the battery. Additionally, always ensure that the toothbrush is turned off and unplugged before attempting any disassembly or maintenance.
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De-solder the battery connections and remove the motherboard
Before you begin, ensure you have a well-lit workspace and the right tools. You will need a soldering iron, a desoldering pump or solder sucker, a desoldering braid, a small Phillips and/or flat-head screwdriver, and a plastic prying tool. It is also important to exercise caution when handling the battery, so as not to short the positive and negative terminals.
First, remove the internals of the toothbrush through the bottom of the toothbrush body. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the power button pressure plate. Next, desolder the coil wire from the motherboard. It may be helpful to desolder the coil first, so the black plastic won't melt when you desolder the battery.
Now, you can begin to de-solder the battery connections. If you are desoldering a battery from a circuit board, use flush cutters to cut each wire one at a time to isolate the battery before you desolder. Be extremely careful if you are soldering/desoldering lithium-polymer battery wires. Do not solder directly to hard-shell lithium-ion batteries; use a battery spot welder instead.
Once the battery connections have been desoldered, carefully remove the motherboard. You can use a soldering iron to melt the solder pad at the top of the motherboard, which attaches a battery electrode to the board. Remove the electrode by pulling it through the plastic housing after it has been desoldered.
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Slide out the old battery and insert a new one
To remove the battery from an electric toothbrush, you will first need to open the toothbrush. This may involve twisting or unscrewing certain parts of the toothbrush to access the battery. Be sure to check your toothbrush's manual or a relevant online guide for the exact steps for your toothbrush model.
Once you have accessed the battery, you will need to disconnect it from the toothbrush's internal components. This may involve desoldering wires or tabs connecting the battery to the rest of the toothbrush. Be careful not to damage any of the internal components during this process.
Now, you are ready to slide out the old battery. Take care not to lose any small parts, such as springs, that may be nearby. You should also check the warranty status of your toothbrush before proceeding, as tampering with the device may void any manufacturer guarantees.
Next, you can insert a new battery. If you are soldering the new battery into place, make sure to create clean, firm connections. You may also need to modify the plastic housing to accept a larger battery, which will increase the time between charges.
Finally, reassemble the toothbrush by snapping or screwing the components back together. Charge the toothbrush and test it to ensure that it is working properly.
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Reassemble the toothbrush by snapping or screwing it together
Reassembling an electric toothbrush is the reverse process of dismantling it. The first step is to insert the replacement battery. If soldering, make clean, firm connections. The next step is to realign the spring at the base with the copper coil. The assembly can then be slid back into the body of the toothbrush. Ensure the parts are aligned by checking that the switch on the PCB lines up with the button moulding on the outside of the case. The two parts can then be pressed together and snapped or screwed into place.
When snapping the parts together, be sure to press them firmly. You may find that the toothbrush does not work at first. If this is the case, place the toothbrush on its charging cradle momentarily to re-energise the internal chip.
Before reassembling, it is important to check the warranty status of your toothbrush. Tampering with the device may void any manufacturer guarantees. The internal components of the toothbrush are fragile, so it is important to handle them with care.
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Frequently asked questions
The process will vary depending on the model of your toothbrush. For example, the Braun Oral-B Type 3754 and 3756 require soldering and desoldering. First, twist the white plastic about 30 degrees to disengage it from the main body. Then, remove the spring and set it aside. Next, desolder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two tabs go to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative sides of the cell. Finally, remove the PCB and slide out the battery.
First, disconnect the charging station from the power socket and place the toothbrush upside down on the charging station. Then, push the toothbrush into the charging station and turn it about 90 degrees counterclockwise to unlock the thread of the bottom cap. Unscrew the bottom cap and remove it. Finally, pull the toothbrush assembly out of the opening at the bottom end of the toothbrush body and pull the battery out of its recess.
Before attempting to remove the battery, check the warranty status of your toothbrush. Tampering with the device may void any manufacturer guarantees. Be aware that electric toothbrushes often have sealed rechargeable batteries that are soldered into place, so you may need tools like a soldering iron, a precision screwdriver, and a plastic tool like a spudger. Be careful not to damage the internal components of the toothbrush or to reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as this could be a safety hazard.
