The iRiver SPINN is a nice MP3 player from iRiver.
Like many gadgets out there it works very nicely until the battery decide that is time for a loooong vacation.
This kind of gadgets have two problems when the battery is involved :
- the battery usually is soldered directly to the board
- the battery is OEM, in other words, is not "off the shelf" but is usually produced for the specific object
So there are two challenges to overcome trying to have back the unit working.
Open the iRiver and extract the battery, and find a battery replacement.
It seems this project will take quite some time to be completed, mostly because ordering stuff from China can take forever !
Open the iRiver and extract the battery, and find a battery replacement.
It seems this project will take quite some time to be completed, mostly because ordering stuff from China can take forever !
Opening the SPINN
February 2014
Fortunately opening the SPINN is more easy than many other MP3 player out there.
There are 3 torx screws to remove.
A T4 Torx screwdriver is required.
A T4 Torx screwdriver is required.
Remove the 3 screws, two on the side where the volume and power control are, one close to the USB port.
Once removed the screws, GENTLY, force the side of the plastic back with a small flat screwdriver.
When the cover starts to move, GENTLY with the screwdriver, try to release the latches on the side.
The cover will come out totally.
The next step is to remove the rubber protection of the battery, first lifting the small keyboard connected to the flexible PCB.
The battery is glued to the surface below.
Very GENTLY and slowly, try to detach the battery. The battery is attached with a piece of tape with glue on both sides.
Once the battery is lose, is possible to desolder it.
Searching for a replacement
February 2014
This is the hard part.
The battery doesn't has any brand or model on it.
Only states it is a 830 mAh battery, with 3.7 Volt.
So, here the data collected about the battery :
- two wires battery
- 3.7 Volt
- 830 mAh
- shape : square - 4.2 cm side (.5 x 4.2 x 4.2)
- 5 mm thick
- ATL
- code: 414444 A08749330372
Possible replacement found at PCHub :
I ordered both the models of batteries, mostly because ordering stuff from China can it take forever ... and actually I received the batteries just today !- .5 x 3.8 x 4.6
http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/1124-81704-18740/UPH-Battery-Recharge-Pack-with-Wire.html - .3 x 3.9 x 4.9
http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/1124-81701-18740/UPH-Battery-Recharge-Pack-with-Wire.html
Replacement - first try
May 2014Very very fortunately one of the batteries was a perfect match for the old one.
Is not the electrical part that creates problems, but the dimensions !
The new battery has to fit the space of the old one !
So the winning model is the number 1.
Inserted the new battery, fit perfectly the space, reconnected (remember the polarity !) and voila' !
The SPINN is back working.
Pay attention to the LCD cable, is enough a light pressure to have some connections loose.
Unfortunately, something went wrong with the battery.
After few hours of charge, the new battery was dead !
Defective battery ? Wrong type of battery for the charger ?
Charger damaged ?
I hooked up the second battery and the SPINN was back alive again, but now I have to do some tests to see how the recharge process affect the new battery.
If also the second battery will die, I have to try to figure out what the problem is.
Sure the second battery mechanically doesn't fit the SPINN space. I need to order a new battery again, another month and half waiting if I order form the same place.
Or probably is better to look on other places ... another search is required.
Stay tuned !
