O-RC1 battery replacement.

Just replaced my battery as it was starting to be intermediate working. I've read you can't change the batteries in these so I had nothing to loose.

4 screws in the back. Remove these and carefully prize apart. The front buttons are stuck to the PCB so you'll need to carefully pull apart. Once this is done, 2 smaller screws hold the PCB to the main remote body. The battery will then become visible. There is a yellow plastic surround that's stuck to the bottom of the PCB, I had to break this plastic and 'unwrap' the plastic off the battery. Then there is a sticker holding the top of the battery in place that needs removed. Its a 2025 battery and once replaced I used Frog tape to hold the new battery in place. Then reassemble is the reverse of above. New battery works a treat

Thanks for posting Gareth...

Result, good for you!

In this day and age it's hard to believe that such a device is produced that is supposed to be thrown away when the battery dies, rather than simply replacing the battery. I understand it's easier to make it waterproof that way, but surely it can't be more than a case of an extra o-ring to waterproof a battery compartment.

Agreed. But there's a lot of it about. Just looking at what's lying around here, the MS Surface (on which this is being typed), smartphone and iPod Classic all have batteries that aren't user-replacable (unless you're Gareth, perhaps ). OK, they're rechargable, but even rechargables eventually die. Presumably manufacturers work out a typical rate of use, if they reckon most people will have replaced/destroyed/lost/abandoned the thing before the battery dies then it isn't worth the additional cost of making the battery user-replacable.

Steve

I have a Maxsima remote that I have used for about 5 years now, I have just changed the battery (just slide in) for the first time (CR 2032 lithium) no problems at all. Works on K5, K3ii, K70 and K1, bought I think for about a tenner. Funny its marked "for Nikon"

Thank you for the "How To" Gareth - this is useful to know.


I agree that we really should not be allowing the sale of products that cannot have their battery replaced. There will always be edge-cases, but, in general, batteries should be replaceable. Non-replaceable batteries are, unfortunately, still a common design. In my line of work I deal with a number of products that have an embedded Lithium battery with a lifespan of ten years or so, after which you have to dispose of the device.

A more common example is electric tooth brushes: my Oral B model is just five years old and now requires charging most days. I'm persevering with it as I don't want to add to the mountain of e-waste.

Hi Gareth, Just about to attempt this little application.

"Then there is a sticker holding the top of the battery in place that needs removed." Are we talking of the battery negative terminal here ? At first sight it seems to be well and truly stuck to battery. possibly soldered ? Could you tell me. How did you remove it ?

When you take the remote apart and you can see the PCB and the battery you'll be looking at the negative terminal of the battery with the yellow plastic wrap around the outside. There is a small white sticker holding the PCB battery terminal to the battery. Its shown in my pic just above the weather seal. This just peels off. The bottom of the battery is stuck to the PCB with some very strong and hefty double sided tape.

Thanks Gareth you’re a star 👍👍👍