On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:43:29 -0000, "r.p.mcmurphy"
wrote:
i have an aging sonicare toothbrush with a slowly failing battery. i
understand there supposed to be non replaceable...but im gonna try anyway!
has any one on here had a go at doing this? im loathed to go out and buy a
new one....cus its one gadget i wouldn't be without...but there expensive to
replace just cus it needs a new battery.
Hi,
This should help, if your brush is one of the 'Elite' range:
http://www.sonicare.com/owners/elite_manual/manual_recycling.asp
CAUTION
Caution should be exercised when using any household tools (such as a
screwdriver) to remove the battery.
1 Deplete the battery of any charge by removing the handle from the
charger base, turning on the product and allowing it to run until it
stops. Repeat this step until the product will no longer operate.
2 Remove the soft touch rib by inserting a screwdriver under it and
breaking it out.
3 Remove the nut from the brush head and place onto the handle.Tighten
the nut onto the handle (A) until the housing comes loose and then
pull the nut forward (B).
4 Insert a screwdriver between the electronic circuit board and the
plastic part close to each end of the battery; twist and break the
battery connection from the electronic circuit board in 2 locations.
5 Separate the rechargeable battery from the appliance by means of a
screwdriver.
==================
For the Advance range it looks like you have to break into the casing
somehow
(( :
http://www.sonicare.com/owners/advance_manual/manual_recycling.asp
Battery Recycling
Your Sonicare toothbrush will give you many years of use. However,
once it no longer functions, DO NOT put your Sonicare handle or
batteries in the garbage. The nickel-cadmium batteries used to power
your Sonicare toothbrush must be recycled or disposed of properly.
As a service to you and our environment, we will recycle your Sonicare
toothbrush for you. For more information about this program, contact
us (U.S. customers only).
If you wish to personally recycle your Sonicare toothbrush handle at
the end of its life, insert a flat-head screwdriver in a slot between
the 2 halves of the handle at the threaded end, and then break apart
the 2 halves. Remove the batteries from the inside of the handle and
dispose of them properly in accordance with your local recycling
program.
The batteries inside your Sonicare toothbrush cannot be replaced. Do
not attempt to replace batteries by opening your Sonicare toothbrush.
Recycling is important because it helps us to conserve our natural
resources and protect our environment. Please help take care of our
environment!
Handle contains nickel-cadmium batteries. Batteries must be recycled
or disposed of properly.
==================
Maybe a dremel, plastic pipe cutter or even a normal pipe cutter would
be a fairly neat way of cutting through the casing if need be.
Leaving it on the charger when not in use should give the best battery
life (and IME gives the best performance).
Also I only use mine in the evenings as some dentists feel they're too
fierce to be used more than once a day. Teeth should be just as clean
in the morning and the heads will last twice as long than using it
twice a day.
HTH,
Pete.