Sly11[Admin] Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 The humble iCOMM, works well while the internal battery is good, but after a year or so..........they stop working. How to tell, its the iCOMM battery. If the little red light no longer comes on and the static burst is not sounding, there is a good chance it is just a flat battery. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Internal iCOMM battery Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Freight is expensive to get the very specific battery that is inside. Genuine replacement batt $5 US, freight, $25 US. Whattt!!! $30 US.... for a battery.....at least that's what I said. (approx $38.40 AUS) So I decided to do a little research, and come up with a reasonably simple and inexpensive mod, approx $12-$15 Aus. A simple AA battery holder and a rechargeable Lithium ion battery. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Not just any kind of rechargeable battery can be used. The iCOMM is sensitive to voltage, so a 3.6 volt battery is required. The milliamp hour rating, or how much draw per hour on the battery, is only 560mAh, not bad for its small size, but I have replaced it with a 900mAh, so almost twice the capacity, and rechargeable. Approximate lifespan......Years and years. I chose to go with a battery with an internal protection circuit, as Li-ion batteries are finicky with charging. (have been known to EXPLODE). A digital battery charger, designed to suit 3.6-3.7 volts is perfect. Available on evilbay for as cheap as $5 shipped from China Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. As I discovered during the research phase, the internal battery is easily removed. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x800). Click this bar to view original image (1024x1365). Click image to open in new window. First I added some adhesive Velcro to the back of the battery holder. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Then I drilled a couple of small holes, one in either side of the bottom half of the iCOMM casing. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Thread the red +, and black - ,wires through the holes of the casing.(From outside through to inside) When you flip the circuit board of the iCOMM over you can solder the wires to the corresponding posts. The outer most post is the positive (+) and the inner post the negative(-). Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Flip the circuit board back over and fit back into the case. Please note, you will actually have to fit the circuit board back into the top part of the case as it is the half that has all the plug holes and LED hole. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Place the two halves together, put the screw back in, and add the opposite half of the adhesive Velcro to the end of the iCOMM. Feed the wires in through the holes to keep the excess out of the way. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Tested for success, my iCOMM is again fully operational. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. As you can see, the overall size hasn't changed too much. iCOMM 8cm long, iCOMM with external battery adaption, 10cm long. The weight has increased by only 20 grams. Image has been scaled down 42% (600x450). Click this bar to view original image (1024x768). Click image to open in new window. Parts List and cost Battery Holder AA size $1.00 UltraFire Li-ion battery $6.00 (Protected circuit) Digital battery charger $5.00 miscellaneous bits $3.00 Battery holder from Jaycar, all other parts from ebay. Please note: These prices were in Australian $, so would be cheaper again in US$ 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan1313[TK] Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Awesome tutorial! Thanks Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captsafe66[Admin] Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Yep, I need to do this to mine as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmth chris[TK] Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Following! Good tutorial! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Thanks for posting this Sly, has worked well for a few of us in the past Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Very cool, great thread Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 Great info! My iComm is brand new, so I guess I have about a year before I need to worry about this, but it's nice to know there is a simple and easy method to deal with the dead battery problem, later down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crow62[501st] Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Sly11 or other bro, I need to change or make this fixing i my iCOMM, I have a camera rechargeable lithium battery 3.7v 900mAh, the original battery is 3.6v, could be burned the iCOMM board using the 3.7V batt? Thanks in advance Gio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted June 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 3.6 is definitely preferred as the Icomm's are quite sensitive to the voltage. I haven't tried a 3.7v just to stay on the safe side. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 And I sell the replacement iComm battery, or you can buy them of Ebay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kouri Posted July 18, 2017 Report Share Posted July 18, 2017 Just going to add a bit on battery info. 3.6 and 3.7 are just nominal voltages - the voltage of any lithium-ion varies with the charge level. A properly protected lithium-ion will be at 4.0-4.2v fresh off the charger, spend most of it's run time at ~3.63.7v, then shut itself off to prevent damage when it drops to ~2.5v. Recharge and repeat. It's very important to get a protected cell - aside from the fire hazard (a shorted cell won't necessarily go *boom*, but it can heat up to the point of damaging equipment and even starting a fire that water won't put out), an unprotected cell might charge over the typical 4.2v limit and damage the iComm circuitry. The size lithium-ion to use in a AA holder is perhaps more commonly referred to as a 14500 (name identifies the size - 14mm diameter, 50mm long). In the US, Trustfire is a decent budget brand. I've used XTAR that work well. Genuine Ultrafires are fine. Try to avoid something-fire brands from chinese sellers - they might very well be knock-off cells of dubious quality. Especially avoid any 14500 rated at anything much higher than 900mAh - it's almost guaranteed to be a chinese cell with a fake rating. Most 14500s will be rated at 800-900mAh. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStormTK[TK] Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlimiter[Staff] Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Many years later thread bump! Is the rechargable 3.6v battery still holding up @Sly11 ? I'm on my third iComm battery and am considering this mod very seriously. I have one more spare of the tiny one, but ugh. I'd love to fix it one final time and never crack that case again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 I've had the same updated mod for 3 years and going strong, occasionally I remove the battery just to top up the charge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Mine has lasted to this day as I recharge it frequently because Lithium ion batteries can die of neglect. They tend to love a frequent charge as a good rule of thumb. I also use a good digital charger and only recommend protected batteries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harder[TK] Posted June 17, 2023 Report Share Posted June 17, 2023 (edited) awesome post! I was out trooping today, second year, and I am seeing intermittent problems. Sometimes it clicks and starts to project my voice, but I can get in one word, then it dies... or its doing small clicking sounds like the pulse of the alien life finder... you know what I mean. I was JUST about to order a new iCOMM when I found this post. Question: Can I someone (Maybe Glen), post links to amazon or someplace to order the holder, and battery? Edited June 17, 2023 by Harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 17, 2023 Report Share Posted June 17, 2023 57 minutes ago, Harder said: awesome post! I was out trooping today, second year, and I am seeing intermittent problems. Sometimes it clicks and starts to project my voice, but I can get in one word, then it dies... or its doing small clicking sounds like the pulse of the alien life finder... you know what I mean. I was JUST about to order a new iCOMM when I found this post. Question: Can I someone (Maybe Glen), post links to amazon or someplace to order the holder, and battery? Battery is a 3.6V AA 900mAh battery, I have used higher mAh batteries with no issues, as long as the AA is a 3.6v Quick searches: AMAZON Battery https://www.amazon.com/s?k=3.7v+aa+rechargeable+battery+900mah&crid=16GDRDQOUHXJS&sprefix=3.7v+aa+rechargeable+battery+900mah%2Caps%2C348&ref=nb_sb_noss Holder (I've only seen packs of 6-8) https://www.amazon.com/Single-Battery-Holder-Leads-5-Pack/dp/B07THZL8JX/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MKB3I92U4Y5Y&keywords=1+x+aa+battery+holder&qid=1687043446&sprefix=1+x+aa+battery+holder%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-4 I also find Aliexpress to be a cheap option for electronic parts ALIEXPRESS Battery https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-aa-rechargeable-battery-900mah.html?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20230617151237&origin=y&SearchText=aa+rechargeable+battery+900mah&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000002.0 Holder https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004016852718.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.13.5666308epE6EqW&algo_pvid=9fffd0d4-849f-4c08-abc3-88cb6227642a&aem_p4p_detail=202306171611552896936901680680009541166&algo_exp_id=9fffd0d4-849f-4c08-abc3-88cb6227642a-6&pdp_npi=3%40dis!AUD!1.18!1.18!!!!!%40211be54b16870435154592879d07ff!12000027750189299!sea!AU!178098435&curPageLogUid=LAY2qcH0djVl&search_p4p_id=202306171611552896936901680680009541166_7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harder[TK] Posted June 17, 2023 Report Share Posted June 17, 2023 Thanks Glen. I ran into the same searches.. but I was not aware of the 3.6V only requirement. I was also looking for circuit protection, and rechargeable.. to which I couldn't find on Amazon because the mA was a lot higher than 900 of the starting post. But I did eventually find it. https://www.batteryjunction.com/protected-14500-lithium.html Its the exact one Sly11 used, I believe. I found the same issue with Amazon on the battery box. I will go with the one you suggested! Cheers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popsiclewizard[TK] Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 (edited) I was banging my head against the wall trying to get it open and then I realized I had Velcro covering the only screw. Edited July 7, 2023 by popsiclewizard I'm dumb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 1 hour ago, popsiclewizard said: I was banging my head against the wall trying to get it open and then I realized I had Velcro covering the only screw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crampeat[TK] Posted July 13, 2023 Report Share Posted July 13, 2023 I was banging my head against the wall trying to get it open and then I realized I had Velcro covering the only screw. I thought the same thing, couldn't find the screw. I removed my velcro and still didn't see a screw. Kept digging and it was underneath the sticker that comes with it with the customer support contact info. In the US, the replacement batteries are now on Amazon for $6 with Prime shipping.https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Battery-for-VoiceBooster-iComm/dp/B00CRSKCE2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arobertson[TK] Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Is there a specific recharger to use for the Ultrafire battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 1 minute ago, arobertson said: Is there a specific recharger to use for the Ultrafire battery? Depending on where you purchase them some come with a charger some don't, I purchase most of my electronics from Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003918347212.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.41.2fea6aaauXaVrh&algo_pvid=cdb65934-1856-4eb3-94cf-c0c6c9104cc0&aem_p4p_detail=2023102316281414511821057963460000903333&algo_exp_id=cdb65934-1856-4eb3-94cf-c0c6c9104cc0-20&pdp_npi=4%40dis!AUD!9.92!5.95!!!6.17!!%402101c71a16981036947515305ee413!12000027463280395!sea!AU!178098435!&curPageLogUid=BRvMQqnldwTk&search_p4p_id=2023102316281414511821057963460000903333_21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVLAsian[TK] Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Just discovered this thread digging through new post and love the idea. Made some mods to mine and 3D printed a case for it. Only difference really is wires are hidden more and the battery mount is bolted on to the print instead of velcrod on 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 4 minutes ago, LVLAsian said: Just discovered this thread digging through new post and love the idea. Made some mods to mine and 3D printed a case for it. Only difference really is wires are hidden more and the battery mount is bolted on to the print instead of velcrod on Nice work, if you felt like sharing your files you can do so here https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/202-3d-file-depository/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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