Beatrice Lang
Braun electric toothbrushes are popular worldwide, but many users complain about their batteries losing the ability to hold a charge over time. This issue can be addressed by replacing the battery, which requires disassembling the toothbrush and soldering a new battery into place. While this repair can be challenging, it is possible to bring new life to your toothbrush for a fraction of the cost of a new one. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in repairing a Braun electric toothbrush, including common issues and troubleshooting tips, to help you decide if repairing or replacing your toothbrush is the best option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common issues | Reduced battery life |
| Battery connection issues | |
| Physical damage to the handle | |
| Water ingress | |
| Cracked solder joints | |
| Repair methods | Replacing the battery |
| Soldering | |
| Using a small adjustable spanner | |
| De-soldering | |
| Checking for solder splashes | |
| Using a temperature-controlled soldering station | |
| Using a magnifying glass | |
| Contacting Oral-B for repair or replacement |
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What You'll Learn
Opening the toothbrush
Opening a Braun electric toothbrush involves a process of disassembly. It is important to note that the Oral-B handles are not designed to be opened by users, and doing so may void the warranty and cause permanent damage to the toothbrush.
To open the toothbrush, start by placing a small adjustable spanner around the flat white plastic part of the toothbrush. Twist the spanner anticlockwise until you have twisted it about 30 degrees. At this point, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush. Once released, the inner mechanism should slide out easily. Set aside the main body and the spring, as these will not be needed until reassembly.
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. It has a momentary push button near the top. Turning the mechanism over will reveal the cell, which is yellow in colour. De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of the tabs connect to the motor, while the other two connect to the positive and negative ends 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.
It is important to be careful when working with the solder connections, as cracked solder joints can be repaired, but damage to the battery connection inside the handle may occur if the toothbrush has been dropped or knocked. Additionally, when working with the solder, it is important to be aware that the PCB in the Braun is of high quality, and it would be difficult to delaminate the traces by overheating with a soldering iron. Therefore, it is recommended to use a temperature-controlled soldering station. After soldering, it is also good practice to use a magnifying glass to check for any solder splashes or solder balls that could cause problems in the future.
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Removing the battery
Braun electric toothbrushes are powered by rechargeable batteries. The process of removing the battery involves disassembling the toothbrush, which can be a fiddly process.
Firstly, place a small adjustable spanner around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush and twist it anticlockwise. After twisting about 30 degrees, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush. Once released, the inner mechanism should slide out easily. Set aside the main body and the spring, as these won't be needed until reassembly.
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). De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of the tabs go to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative 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.
It is important to note that cracked solder joints can be repaired, but opening up the handle of the toothbrush will invalidate the warranty and may even render the brush broken beyond repair.
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Desoldering the PCB
Desoldering is an important process for those who repair printed circuit boards (PCBs). It is a challenging process as it involves removing excess solder quickly without damaging the circuit board. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to desolder the PCB of your Braun electric toothbrush:
Firstly, ensure you have the right tools. A temperature-controlled soldering station is recommended for electronics repair. You will also need a desoldering braid, also known as a desoldering wire or wick. This is one of the most common tools used for PCB repair and is portable, easy to use, and does not require constant maintenance.
Secondly, identify the PCB. On one side of the mechanism, you will find the PCB, which controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor. The PCB also has a momentary push button near the top.
Thirdly, de-solder the tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. There are four tabs in total: two connected to the motor, and the other two connected to the positive and negative ends of the cell. The negative tab will need to be bent upwards to enable the PCB to be removed.
Once the tabs are de-soldered, simply lift the PCB away from the mechanism. After this, you can slide out the cell. If you are replacing the cell, ensure that the positive terminal is long enough, as you may need to solder an extra piece of tab to it.
Finally, clean the area thoroughly with a quality flux remover. Flux residues can cause dendritic growth and corrosion on PCB assemblies, so it is important to use best practices to clean the board.
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Replacing the battery
Braun electric toothbrushes are powered by rechargeable batteries. The battery life of these toothbrushes reduces very quickly, and the toothbrush may need to be plugged in every few days.
To replace the battery of a Braun electric toothbrush, you will need to disassemble the toothbrush. This involves using a small adjustable spanner to twist the white plastic part of the toothbrush anticlockwise until it disengages from the main body. Once the white plastic is separated from the body, the inner mechanism, which includes the battery, can be removed.
The inner mechanism contains the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor. The PCB has a momentary push button near the top. Turning the mechanism over will reveal the cell, which is yellow in colour.
To remove the cell, de-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and the 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, and the cell can be slid out.
After inserting a new cell, the toothbrush can be reassembled. Ensure that the switch on the PCB is aligned with the button moulding on the outside of the case. Press the two parts together firmly, and they should snap together.
It is important to note that the Oral-B handles are not designed to be opened by users. Doing so will invalidate the warranty and may damage the toothbrush.
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Reassembling the toothbrush
Before you begin reassembling your Braun electric toothbrush, ensure that you have set aside the main body and the spring, as these will be needed. Check that the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is aligned correctly, with the switch on the PCB lining up with the button moulding on the outside of the case. Press the two parts together firmly until they snap into place.
If your toothbrush has a soldering iron, ensure that you use a temperature-controlled soldering station to avoid overheating and delaminating the traces. After soldering, use a magnifying glass to check for any solder splashes or solder balls that could cause problems in the future.
Once the PCB is secured, slide the cell (battery) into the body of the mechanism. The negative tab on the cell should be bent upwards to allow for easy removal of the PCB if needed. Secure the PCB and the cell in place by soldering the four tabs that hold them in position. Two tabs should connect to the motor, while the other two should connect to the positive and negative ends of the cell.
Finally, reattach the white plastic part of the toothbrush by twisting it clockwise until it engages with the main body of the toothbrush. Test your toothbrush by placing it on the charging cradle momentarily to re-energise the internal chip.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a small adjustable spanner and place it around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush. Twist the spanner anticlockwise and the white plastic should disengage from the main body.
Start by using a magnifying glass to carefully inspect all the solder joints that are not surface-mount components. If you find any cracked solder joints, you can repair them by soldering.
De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. The PCB controls the charging of the cell (battery) and also drives the motor. Once the PCB is removed, the cell can be slid out. Insert a new battery and solder it into place.
If your toothbrush has been dropped, the battery connection inside the handle may have been damaged. The connection is usually a small solder connection between the +/- terminals of the battery and the main printed circuit board. You can attempt to repair any cracked solder joints by soldering them, but opening the handle will invalidate your warranty and may render the brush broken for good.
If your toothbrush is still under warranty, contact Oral-B to book your brush in for repair. You can reach them by phone at 0800 731 1792 (GB) or 1800 509 448 (IRE).
