Battery replacement - 30GB iPod Video

Mijn probleem

The battery in my iPod was barely lasting 2 hours before needing a recharge. This wasn't a problem commuting to and from work during the week, but would become a problem on the weekend.

Mijn oplossing

I ordered the battery kit w/tools and it arrived a lot faster than the estimated shipping time (this was to Canada BTW). Following the guide I had trouble getting the bottom clip to release so I tried going down the side first. I gave it a little muscle and the next thing I knew one clip finally popped, I left one tool wedged in place while using the other to go down the rest of the side and the bottom. The guitar pick suggestion would have been perfect had I had a guitar pick. I managed to damage one clip on the bottom so it doesn't click together like it used too, there are a tonne of other clips to make up for one damaged one.

Once one side and the bottom were loose the rest came apart easily by hand. The original battery looked like it had deformed, not sure if it was just the sticker or not, but either way it was coming out at this point. The adhesive is quite strong, follow the instruction that says to be careful and just go slow and steady along the length of the battery, you'll know when you have just the right spot to really pry on it as the battery will finally give a little.

The ribbon cable on the new battery is wrapped around the battery once, if you do not unwind it, it will be too short upon installation!

Installation is easy, simply reverse what you just did and all will go smooth. The new battery has an adhesive strip on it, I did not peel the backing off and just relied on the residue in the iPod, and the tight fit within the iPod to hold the battery in place, no problems so far. There's 2 little rubber spacer/bumper thingies inside the iPod that fall out easily, make sure they are in place before closing your iPod or else you'll be opening it again right away (ask me how I know this!) Unlock the iPod and turn it on and you're good to go!

Mijn advies

Don't be scared to use some muscle when opening the iPod for the first time, but also be careful as those clips are made of plastic and they can and will break.

Unwind the ribbon cable when you get the battery kit otherwise it will seem to be too short.

When you have the old battery out put it beside the new one, prebend the new ribbon cable to copy the old one so that you can plug it in without too much fuss.