I have a Braun/Oral B electric toothbrush that is slowly fading out. At
first, the green l.e.d. charging light would barely light even though it
would still charge. Then, a few days later, the two minute timer that
interrupts the motor stopped working. Finally, the motor speed has dropped
noticeably and will not even run for two minutes. I'm trying to figure out
how to disassemble this thing and maybe replace the batteries. It's
approximately ten years old. Here is a picture of the bottom casing.
http://www.pbase.com/image/89365774

I've poked and prodded but can't seem to get this thing apart without
chipping the plastic. If anyone has been down this road before I'd like to
know how to change the batteries.



Thanks for your reply.
--
David Farber
David Farber's Service Center
L.A., CA

David Farber wrote:
I've poked and prodded but can't seem to get this thing apart without
chipping the plastic. If anyone has been down this road before I'd like to
know how to change the batteries.

I'm not positive it was a Braun, but the last one I got apart I did by
pushing the handle onto the charging base and turning it 90 degrees.

--
Angry American flags attack Hillary Clinton!

The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.

Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:17:38 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:
The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.

Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.

I think I remember the language in the materials that came with my Braun
electric toothbrush referring to the "twist and snap open" procedure as
something to be used during disposal -- as mandated by Gummint Rules.
To discard the toothbrush one is supposed to break out the battery(ies)
and dispose of them 'properly' whilst you tossed the rest of the carcass
into the bin.

I'm sure almost NOBODY does that -- but, it keeps otherwise
un-employable folks busy at the Gummint Department of Inexplicable
Processes and Daft Procedures.

Jonesy
--
Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
38.24N 104.55W | @ config.com | Jonesy | OS/2
*** Killfiling google posts: http://jonz.net/ng.htm

David Farber wrote:

I've poked and prodded but can't seem to get this thing apart without
chipping the plastic. If anyone has been down this road before I'd like to
know how to change the batteries.

This one is obviously not the same as mine, but within the charging 'cradle'
(which was keyed) you could twist the body so the bottom would come loose.
If yours is not keyed, you need to find a way to hold onto the bottom
section while separately holding onto the body and twisting about 90 degrees.

Once loose, the bottom would pull out and reveal the guts.

The battery was encased in a plastic "cage", and not a "user serviceable"
part, but if you're careful about it, it can be done.

Although the battery (NiCd in my day) was not a "normal" size, we did have
an electronics outlet here in Australia that sold similar batteries. So if
you look, you should be able to find them around your neck of the woods.
--
Linux Registered User # 302622
http://counter.li.org

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
news
The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.

Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of
ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.



I upped the force I used to pop open the bottom and was able to remove the
case. I didn't realize that a 45 degree counterclockwise twist of the bottom
plate allowed the internal "hooks" to have a clear exiting path. You still
have to pry a screwdriver in there to nudge it out. Inside, there was quite
a bit of moisture. You could actually see water puddling up in some places
on the PC board. The picture tells all:

http://www.pbase.com/image/89369067

Time for a new toothbrush.

--
David Farber
David Farber's Service Center
L.A., CA

"Allodoxaphobia" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:17:38 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:
The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.

Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of
ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.

I think I remember the language in the materials that came with my Braun
electric toothbrush referring to the "twist and snap open" procedure as
something to be used during disposal -- as mandated by Gummint Rules.
To discard the toothbrush one is supposed to break out the battery(ies)
and dispose of them 'properly' whilst you tossed the rest of the carcass
into the bin.

I'm sure almost NOBODY does that -- but, it keeps otherwise
un-employable folks busy at the Gummint Department of Inexplicable
Processes and Daft Procedures.

Jonesy
--
Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
38.24N 104.55W | @ config.com | Jonesy | OS/2
*** Killfiling google posts: http://jonz.net/ng.htm

I agree with you about the recycling battery part. It took quite a bit of
effort for an experienced disassembler such as myself to get to the insides.
Not only that, the battery pack is soldered to the circuit board. Perhaps
the latest generation of toothbrushes are more recyclable friendly. On the
other hand, you have to seal the mechanism and electronics from moisture so
I doubt it will ever be as easy as removing a cell phone battery.
--
David Farber
David Farber's Service Center
L.A., CA

"John Tserkezis" wrote in message
u...
David Farber wrote:

I've poked and prodded but can't seem to get this thing apart without
chipping the plastic. If anyone has been down this road before I'd like
to
know how to change the batteries.

This one is obviously not the same as mine, but within the charging
'cradle'
(which was keyed) you could twist the body so the bottom would come loose.
If yours is not keyed, you need to find a way to hold onto the bottom
section while separately holding onto the body and twisting about 90
degrees.

Once loose, the bottom would pull out and reveal the guts.

The battery was encased in a plastic "cage", and not a "user
serviceable"
part, but if you're careful about it, it can be done.

Although the battery (NiCd in my day) was not a "normal" size, we did
have
an electronics outlet here in Australia that sold similar batteries. So
if
you look, you should be able to find them around your neck of the woods.
--
Linux Registered User # 302622
http://counter.li.org

I'll know this for next time. I let too much time pass before opening the
case and stopping the water damage. I wonder if you can get a new rubber
washer/seal kit for this brush. lol

Thanks for your reply.
--
David Farber
David Farber's Service Center
L.A., CA

"David Farber" wrote in message
...

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
news
The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.
Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of
ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.

That should have been recycling, of course, not recharging.


I upped the force I used to pop open the bottom and was able to remove the
case. I didn't realize that a 45 degree counterclockwise twist of the
bottom
plate allowed the internal "hooks" to have a clear exiting path. You still
have to pry a screwdriver in there to nudge it out. Inside, there was
quite
a bit of moisture. You could actually see water puddling up in some places
on the PC board. The picture tells all:

http://www.pbase.com/image/89369067

Time for a new toothbrush.

Considering that the point of tightly sealing them is to force you to buy a
new toothbrush when the battery fails, it's amazing that any water got in at
all.

David Farber wrote in message
...

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
news
The Braun's I've had don't seem to be designed for battery replacement.

Some of the charger stands have pins and flanges for the purpose of
ripping
open the toothbrush to remove the cells for recharging. Whether you can
successfully reassemble the brush is another matter. I've never tried.



I upped the force I used to pop open the bottom and was able to remove the
case. I didn't realize that a 45 degree counterclockwise twist of the
bottom
plate allowed the internal "hooks" to have a clear exiting path. You still
have to pry a screwdriver in there to nudge it out. Inside, there was
quite
a bit of moisture. You could actually see water puddling up in some places
on the PC board. The picture tells all:

http://www.pbase.com/image/89369067

Time for a new toothbrush.

--
David Farber
David Farber's Service Center
L.A., CA



For anyone wanting to make their electric toothbrush survive longer.
Fix the charger unit to the underside of a shelf and make some sort of
carrier or sprung/elastic plus clip, for the motor unit to be held
vertically upside down under the charger "base".
Goo will always find its way past what may initially be a seal around the
rotating shaft down into the works, unless you park it upside down. The
makers want to sell more units.

--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

David Farber wrote:

I'm trying to figure out
how to disassemble this thing and maybe replace the batteries.

The manual of my Philips Sonicare says, that the battery
is "not to be replaced", but on failing the whole unit should
be dumped.
When I discovered that, I decided, never to buy a Philips
device again.

Regards,
H.

Per Heinz Schmitz:
The manual of my Philips Sonicare says, that the battery
is "not to be replaced", but on failing the whole unit should
be dumped.
When I discovered that, I decided, never to buy a Philips
device again.

I went through one rechargeable electric toothbrush and learned
my lesson.

Now I use the most el-cheapo Braun that has the circular brush
and takes two AA batteries - that last a looooong time.

I think a pack of three replacement brushes costs more than the
entire device - with one brush on it - does.

I don't do it, but one can always opt to use rechargeables....
--
PeteCresswell

The manual of my Philips Sonicare says, that the battery
is "not to be replaced", but on failing the whole unit should
be dumped. When I discovered that, I decided, never to buy
a Philips device again.

But this is true of all the rechargeable toothbrushes.

The Sonicare probably does a better job than the cheap Braun, but I'd be
reluctant to claim that as fact.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
The manual of my Philips Sonicare says, that the battery
is "not to be replaced", but on failing the whole unit should
be dumped. When I discovered that, I decided, never to buy
a Philips device again.

But this is true of all the rechargeable toothbrushes.

The Sonicare probably does a better job than the cheap Braun, but I'd be
reluctant to claim that as fact.



The make a Sonicare now that uses standard AA batteries. I have one of the
older ones with the built in battery, it's been going strong for about 8
years now, my dentist recommended it and I've been very happy with it. My
mom gave me an older one with a failed battery, I've been meaning to crack
it open with the bench vise and see if I can replace the battery, the thing
ought to work well for cleaning small parts.

"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:2c_1j.3969$Mr.2262@trnddc04...

The make a Sonicare now that uses standard AA batteries. I have
one of the older ones with the built in battery, it's been going strong
for about 8 years now, my dentist recommended it and I've been very
happy with it. My mom gave me an older one with a failed battery,
I've been meaning to crack it open with the bench vise and see if I can
replace the battery, the thing ought to work well for cleaning small
parts.

I've just started on my third _pair_ of Sonicares, and find they last 3 to
3.5 years. You are fortunate to have yours last 8 years.

You are welcome to my last two for the cost of postage.

On Nov 24, 11:25 am, Meat Plow wrote:
On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:30:40 -0800, David Farber wrote:

"John Tserkezis" wrote in message
. au...
David Farber wrote:

I've poked and prodded but can't seem to get this thing apart without
chipping the plastic. If anyone has been down this road before I'd like
to
know how to change the batteries.

This one is obviously not the same as mine, but within the charging
'cradle'
(which was keyed) you could twist the body so the bottom would come loose.
If yours is not keyed, you need to find a way to hold onto the bottom
section while separately holding onto the body and twisting about 90
degrees.

Once loose, the bottom would pull out and reveal the guts.

The battery was encased in a plastic "cage", and not a "user
serviceable"
part, but if you're careful about it, it can be done.

Although the battery (NiCd in my day) was not a "normal" size, we did
have
an electronics outlet here in Australia that sold similar batteries. So
if
you look, you should be able to find them around your neck of the woods.
--
Linux Registered User # 302622
http://counter.li.org

I'll know this for next time. I let too much time pass before opening the
case and stopping the water damage. I wonder if you can get a new rubber
washer/seal kit for this brush. lol

I have two of those, one without a charge light. I was under the
impression those things were pretty much water tight.

I've had three of them apart and have not observed any moisture
inside; others have found toothpaste getting into the top bushing and
binding the shaft. Some of the units (in my case, the older ones) use
two 2/3A batteries (e.g. Sanyo KR600AE), others a single AA. I
replaced an AA cell with a high-capacity NiMH, and the first charge
lasted a month (used two minutes per day).

TM