Going Heath Robinson on an SI Board...

[BigPete]

I'm looking to sort out my SI Board when it comes to replacing the lithium cells so I can get the service indicator back to normal. Soldering the new cells in are proving a problem as solder doesn't stick to the battery terminals. So to solve the problem I'm looking to use a battery holder to hold the cells and then solder that to the contacts.

Question is at this point is - Are the cells/batteries on the SI board connected in serial or parallel?

Hope the question makes sense and appreciate any help! Ta

[smithy318i]

have you tried sanding the terminals to make the solder stick better.

VDO SI board batteries are connected in series.

[Brianmoooore]

I've never yet found a lithium battery that needs replacing, but if you are sure they do, what's wrong with using cells with tags on? The cell won't like direct soldering onto its ends.

[BigPete]

Did try filing the terminals on the new cells to create a bit of key for the solder but made no difference. I admit that I should have checked the voltage on the old cells but I was trying to sort it out before heading off me holidays so was a little too hasty. I also should have used cells with the tags already on but once again I was cutting corners! Lesson learnt me thinks...

Just had a call from a mate and it turns out a mate has got a spare SI board so I'm gonna chuck it in mine. Cheers for the help gents.

[Brianmoooore]

Note that lithium batteries and niCd batteries are fitted to different designs of board. Lithium batteries cannot be used on boards designed for NiCds, and vice versa.

[march109]

This is another topic worthy of a article I think!