Philips Sonicare Elite Toothbrush Repair: How to Replace Rechargeable Battery

[veganpeacelove]

Helpful, THANK YOU!!

[daves1840]

Question, I have it all back together again and it lights up. It's flashing on the first light. It's been charging for 3 hours, and it's still on the first light. Does this mean there's a problem or does it just need overnight charging? After three hours I was hoping it would at least turn on when tested, but it doesn't.

[maestrovso]

Your instructions is great and concise. Over the years I have bought so many Sonicares and their inevitable dies too soon. I have determine not to buy another one unless I cannot fix them. Only wish they stop using nicad battery.

[maestrovso]

Thanks for sharing this. I would have never guessed this is how you dismantle it. I use your method and it comes apart. It is very tight and I have to be patient and apply a lot of force twisting it. In mine the built in time reminder have significant quicken as it the microprocessor's clock has been sped up 8x. Now I know why. The o-ring did not prevent water from getting in which wet the PCB and causing low resistance short.

[xzqzq]

Helpful video. Gotta try this.

[dcview91]

Thank you! Great video and we bought our battery from you. Thanks!

[Comotoes4]

Regarding the silicone RTV used to seal the thing up - be aware that the acetic acid (vinegar smelling) cure products can damage the electronics quite easily. A "neutral" cure type product should be used OR a silicone compound that doesn't cure might be better and will allow easier disassembly next time.

[jqualtrough1]

Hi

Just watched your video on how to replace the battery on a Philips sonic toothbrush. Can you supply a new battery and also if possible the small waterproof cover that is part of the handle that covers the on/off switch. If so, please quote including postage to the England.

Many thanks

johnq@iom.com

[tonewheel]

I've done this successfully. However, one should note that there are documented issues with the Sonicare charging system not operating properly after the original battery is unsoldered and replaced with a new battery. Almost all boards and blogs cannot figure out what the issue is, but there are far too many people experiencing a fresh battery only charging for one or two brushings. Any comment about this issue?

[maestrovso]

@tonewheel I open mine and clean off the shorts cause by the water leaking in. Though the toothbrush still works from the remaining charge. The charge function no longer work. Seems Sonicare implemented evil code to disable charging when it detected the battery power has been interrupted. No doubt it is due to an evil poison pill algorithm to prevent people from overcoming the planned obsolescence - nicad battery.

[maestrovso]

@maestrovso Just an update on mine. After cleaning the corrosion around the negative terminal, initially seems that it was not charging. However a few hours on the charger the first LED starts to blink. In the few hours it is fully charged. I retract my evil poison pill code allegation. The 8x too fast timer issue is gone. I suspect the water leaks in thru the 2 small holes which the rubber bumpers is attached. Now time to fix my other one.

[mcheg101]

What is the music in this video? Very catchy...

[bduijnen]

Thanks! With the cap trick I could open and revive my brush!

[1kwahaes1]

which ni-cd battery is required?

[integribiz]

See my comments (right under the video) to find the link to the store yo can purchase the battery from.

[guysmily43]

Thanks a TON for the video. You are a life saver. I wanted to comment that I had more luck digging in with a pick and prying it up than I did with your cap twisting trick.

Also, I don't know if you have some kind of electrical/computer engineering background, but do you think it's possible to disable the timer on this thing? I just want the button to be on/off. It'd be nice to keep the amplitude switch working, as well as to have the beep every 30 seconds, but I don't know where to start.

[integribiz]

Thanks! I am glad you find the video useful. Now, I do have electrical and IT background and I would suspect changing time intervals would assume chip reprogramming which is would be quite an undertaking since the code is not readily available (proprietary) and the PCB does not seem to have built communication controllers.

[matuschkas]

thanks,also the plastic battery holder,was hard to pry out .

[matuschkas]

mine was trickey,dont buy a battery,until you get the old one out.one slip with the soldering gun,and your toast

[integribiz]

You got a point there: this repair requires some skills and patience. I recently added FAQ to my eBay listing for the battery to help you to assess probability of successful repair. Take your time to read it before attempting repair or buying a battery.

[beaubrent]

I wish I had the patience for this.

[mikeasmel]

This looks great, but I don't see the link to buy the battery on ebay? Please advise and post the link. Thanks.!

[integribiz]

The link is right under the video. You will need to click on the "down arrow" on the right to see the link. Good luck!

[Ganmore101]

This is very helpful! Much Thanks! It saved me a bundle!

[pwiattitto]

thanks for sharing