JBL Charge 3 Battery Upgrade

Written By: NGUYEN Anh
  • Comments: 65
JBL Charge 3 Battery Upgrade

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

7

Time Required

30 minutes

Introduction

Changing the oem battery into 18650 li-ion cell

Upgrade the capacity

  2. saoXpQG1mCS6faiw
    saoXpQG1mCS6faiw
    oIVZUxNGFRWbCnJI

    • To get the battery out, you have to take out the right side radiator.

    • Notice there is two plastic latches, you need to lift both up using some small metal part as the leverages.

    • While both latches are up and hold the speakers, trying to turn the radiator anti-clockwise.

    • This can be hard as first but no worry and there is no cable connected to the radiator.

    • As you turn about 1.5cm (or can not turn further), just take out the radiator cap.

  3. lUqINq52wx4LBVcN
    lUqINq52wx4LBVcN
    CoU3vqTOYRxPKfbb
    OJKHRRq2gUjmplok

    • Disconnect the cable connected to the battery to the board inside the speaker before taking out the battery

    • The JBL battery is Lithium Polymer

    • Brand: GreatPower

    • Model: GSP1029102A

    • Rating: 3.7V 6000mah 22.2 Wh

  4. e1OddjBRrynUkdLk
    e1OddjBRrynUkdLk
    QFxa1OJZ2CcSiY3q

    • Option A: is to purchase exactly the same battery and then install it. It is straight forward. No explanations needed.

    • Option B (my choice): is to replace with an available Li-ion 18650 to save the time order from China and assure the capacity.

    • I decide to pick up 3 cells from Panasonic 3400mah NCR-18650B. Two unprotected and one protected.

    • WARNINGS: make sure all the battery is same voltage before replacing in the speakers. Be CAREFUL not to short circuit them. Maybe balance and equalize them.

    will it be an issue if I use 3 Protected batteries instead of 2 Protected and 1 UnProtected?

    Naseef Fatemi -

    What do you mean with 2 unprotected and one protected.

    Maman Spoon -

    Can I use only 2 pieces of Sanyo high capacity 18650 unprotected battery? Thanks…

    Ninoneil Jimenez -

    “protected” batteries incorporate some small electronic circuit to prevent over-charging and over-discharging. See also: https://www.fenix-store.com/blog/what-is...

    But: I must say, the author is not clear (contradictory) on where he put the protected one and where he put the two unprotected ones.

    I thought: Since there is a small BMS-protection-board, the two unprotected batteries are to be soldered to the board. The one “protected” battery should be the one *not* connected to the BMS-protection-board.

    I might be wrong. Please clarify.

    Paul Klumpp (Hau0r) -

    I also find the explanations quite confusing as it says to connect both protected and unprotected to the bms board…. Why not use all protected for extra safety?

    Mikael Jonsson -

  5. AXZDZGADIVRJZNLC
    AXZDZGADIVRJZNLC
    pIm2ucrOGuts62E3
    Q63P6lKZiKiJVbPs

    • You need to wire them in Parallel (i.e. 1s3p pack).

    • Two unprotect will be wired to the JBL BMS board. I solder the black wire to the B+ and the red wire to the B-.

    • To keep the next replacement easier, I only connect the battery by twisting the color coded wires together and wrapping them with electrical tape.

    • One unprotected cell will be in the original battery compartment inside the cell holder (as shown) connect to one side of the BMS board.

    • Two cells will be inside the speaker compartment behind the Bass Radiator. The unprotected one (right hand side radiator) will connect directly to the BMS board.

    • The protected one (after I open and rearrange the PCB of the battery for a better fit into the speaker compartment) will connect parallel to the protected one from other side of the bass radiator.

    Using red circles to mark negative and black ones to mark positive is a little bit confusing in my opinion. Double check the PCB marks when doing this.

    victor -

    That's right bro hahaha

    allen_ibay -

    Why solder black to B+ (positive) and red to B- (negative)? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

    I also wonder why you use 2 unprotected and 1 protected battery? Why not use 3 protected ones?

    Mikael Jonsson -

    Hallo,

    kann ich auch drei geschützte Batterien nehmen?

    Vol Khan -

    NCR-18650B fits on neither side of my speaker - it deforms the speaker tube and makes it impossible to remount the bass radiators.

    My NCR-18650B is 65 mm long; how long are the batteries you used?

    Lysander Heuson -

    Got a question, on this 1s2p bms board, can I connect 3 cells? Consequences to it?

    I have got access to only unprotected cells, hence have to connect those to the board. I am considering 2 cells in parallel to one side of bms board and 1 cell to the other side.

    The bms board has got 2 chip controllers. The chip controller with 2 cells in parallel should treat them as 1 single cell.

    What do you all think? Effective solution or not?

    shashwat319 -

    Just tried this with 3 protected cells and now realised why he chose only 1 protected. The length of the protected mean they don't fit in behind the radiators. Circuit is a protection circuit so not sure if this would handle the protection.

    Would have been better to explain choice of cells in article as now stuck needing 2 unprotected cells or disassemble protected ones …

    Gary Collier -

  6. 6i1bXebFmLBG6Q6o
    6i1bXebFmLBG6Q6o
    OHYxvNJqSMI3gSUl
    OysA4VZjF4kwM2Wd

    • For your reference. After Finished!

    • NOTEs:

    • I put a few pink foam to make sure no rattle of wires, secured everything and heats isolation (if any :))

    • The cell holder is glued to the battery compartment by silicon.

    • The cells in the battery compartment is just right side and just barely fit so will stay in place without any glue.

  7. IGpCDSHpYcS22kHP
    IGpCDSHpYcS22kHP
    arnU2lXAmKOGmbct
    XTKtSXpc1FJcYW1v

    • Put everything back in reverse order.

    • Be careful with the screws, they can be easily stripped.

    • For a peace of mind, I use plumping tape to ensure 100% waterproof as after all we may have opened the original speaker seals.

    • Note: make sure everything seals completely, otherwise you will hear the speakers rattle when you play heavy bass songs.

    • GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN !!!

    Hi NGUYEN Anh, can i use 26650 5000mAh battery instead of 18650 3000mAh to replace the original battery? Soldering it to left and right of its BMS? Hope you reply the soonest! Thanks man. :D

    MarHarBet -

    You think 26650 battery will fit? 26mm x 65mm? If you can try to fit it, i’ll finally buy this battery that clearly has more juice in it. :D

    MarHarBet -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

NGUYEN Anh

Member since: 24/09/17

423 Reputation

51 comments

Cant i only replace the one 18650 battery? Or do I need These silver packs?

Robert Rpunkt -

You probably can use only one 18650 battery but then your speaker will run out of juice much quicker ^^

The way I connect everything is parallel so if you only use one then just direct soldering to the positive and negative of BMS

Note that you can only charge the battery only when you connect the battery through BMS.

Cheers

NGUYEN Anh -

Hi! How are you? Some bottom leds are failing in my charge 3. Do you know if this could be repaired? Does it afect any other function? Thank you! Dario.

Dario Perales -

Hi, I do not know if you can replace the bottom leds. My guess it would not affecting the function of your speaker, you can test when open it up and checking the charge on the battery to see before charging and after charging is 3.7 volts. Meaning it is charging and how long the speakers battery should last 10 hrs per charge on high volume.

NGUYEN Anh -

can u both use the stock battery and 18650 battery ? thanks

nuelanianatienza -

You can use either stock or this way 18650 batteries. But this way will increased the capacity!

NGUYEN Anh -

Wont work, because in this configuration you will need batteries of same type

CK One -

Is it okay to use 3 protected batteries instead of 2 unprotected and 1 protected? Would that make any difference in the process or connections?

ankush4play -

It's perfectly fine, I have done that and be using for almost 1 year now. The capacity is greatly increased and living it ;) of course for safety you can use 3 protected (however you need to pay attention to the limited space you can fit in the internal of the charge 3)

NGUYEN Anh -

Hi can you please post a diagram on how to connect 3 protected batteries? I have no knowledge in batteries so im really confused. Thanks.

Bart Bernabe -

Its quite simple with the 3 protected batteries. They are exactly the same with the 3 unprotected. You just need to connect red to - sign and the black to + sign.

The only thing is that you need to open up the protected part out to separate and electrical taping the wires in the correct terminal. I play around a bit.

NGUYEN Anh -

Can i just use 2 batteries? I will connect one battery on + and negative on the left side of the board and the other battery on the right side of the board? Do i still need to wire both batteries to each other or not?

bartjeb_21 -

hi, off course you can still use only 2 batteries. not a problem. Only the capacity will not as good as original (bit less).

If two batteries then, just connect one on the right and one on the left of the board. :)

NGUYEN Anh -

Guess that NGUYEN Anh is Vietnamese, may I have your contact? My JBL Charge 3 need to replace the battery now.

Contact me via email please j.vu2@aol.com

love_you_forever67 -

haha, the name is obvious. You live in SG?

NGUYEN Anh -

Yes, waiting for your email. Need to replace the batter asap.

love_you_forever67 -

if you would like to replace then plz contact my email, arnold.ng85@gmail.com. I’ll help and guide in my best knowledge but do not have time to do it for you :)

NGUYEN Anh -

Hello!

It’s great idea, but in my Charge 3’s passive bass radiator was stopped! Not fit for mine!

Albert Einstein -

What do you mean?

NGUYEN Anh -

Why not? The JBL impruve his only battery fitting?

Albert Einstein -

After reading more intensively on equalizing more than 1 battery together, even if they are protected, its my conclusion that this project while seemingly fun might be more trouble than its worth. Its best to just buy an upgraded battery.

Mech nen -

I do not think so, because with extensive usage. My battery will die out after 1 year, plus with new model coming out, the stock battery will no longer available. So using 18650 batteries is best option. Once setup, just replace the batteries, even if they are not equalize probably, they are fine will definite last long. (also consider the cost is cheaper).

NGUYEN Anh -

Thanks sir.

It works,i put 2 (18650) battery like you.

I'm happy with this..

Thank you…

Imam Abu tholib -

Hi NGUYEN Anh, can i use 26650 5000mAh battery instead of 18650 3000mAh to replace the original battery? Soldering it to left and right of its BMS? Hope you reply the soonest! Thanks man. :D

MarHarBet -

Hi MarkHarBet, the battery 26650 is too big to fit in the limited space within. So 18650 will be best option, I just barely manage to fit 3 in. Thx

NGUYEN Anh -

You think 26650 battery will fit? 26mm x 65mm? If you can try to fit it, i’ll finally buy this battery that clearly has more juice in it. :D

MarHarBet -

Will replacing the battery effect the waterproofing in any way?

Prashant Arora -

I take the precaution, that’s why i use some plumping tape to water-proof around the two radiators. After done that, I have test in the rain first and throw in the swimming pool. It is fine, but of course don’t over do it over long period of time (5-10 min max). Under the rain is absolutely fine.

NGUYEN Anh -

Good day everyone, first wants to thanks author for good job, i planned to do so with my JBl 3 long ago, as the battery start dying…

When I disassembled the speaker, i was fck amazed, my batteries become doughnuts) i wandered how the cover not damaged or smthg… cause they really become twice a size.

But I write this to warn people, when i disconnected old batteries from BMS (note that I didnt short circuit the battery 100%) this plastic package of the battery opened, through the gap, when i cutted the connections one by one, and the gas from inside came out, fck buttery burned in a second), its good that not to the face but aside…

Anoter word Guys, if your old battery become a ballon, be very fck careful, shis gas inside flame at once when react with oxygen….

Good luck every one and Safety First

Vladimir -

Right on it. I also nearly short circuit one of the battery, so yes have to be very careful. Thanks Vladimir

NGUYEN Anh -

I agree with Mike. This isn’t a very good “Tear Down” at all. The video doesn’t even complete the tear down. For most users, they won’t even bother with doing the modified battery and neither the instructions on this page or the video gives any instructions on how to just do a stock battery replacement. This gets a thumbs down from me.

Bobby Gorden -

Thank you Mike for your opinions. My intention is to upgrade the stock battery with the 18650 batteries what are widely available. Plus, I am not very tech savy, my wish was to do a proper video for the whole process but do not have right equipments and time constraint.

NGUYEN Anh -

i dont understand how you connected the batteries to the bms board were all 3 batteries connected in parrallel or only 2. the two in parallel were they soldered the the b+ and b- of the board and the single one was soldered to the opposite side of the board on its own??

David “WCxColosus” Cabrera -

Yes, all the 03 batteries are parallel. Two on one side and One on the other side as you mention.

NGUYEN Anh -

What are the steps for replacing the battery if you buy the same battery? Is it as simple as plugging it in?

Bob Smith -

Hi Bob, if the stock replacement batteries come with the BMS then it's simple as replace and plug in (as from the time I try to buy the stock one there is none in my country). Plz contact the provider.

But if the stock ones are only batteries then you need to reuse your BMS, required you to solder the battery into the BMS.

NGUYEN Anh -

How many hours do you get in your jbl charge 3 on a full charge?

Arjun bava -

At right now at 50% volume, I manage to get around 25 hours or more. I do not keep track exactly but Its like forever until I need to recharge :)

NGUYEN Anh -

Nguyen, Quick question…. About Using the 2 unprotected batteries in parallel with 1 protected attached to the BMS board, could you explain what benefits you get by having the 1 protected with the other 2 unprotected. Does the protected battery’s chip enable the other 2 cells more protection ? Are you counting on the JBL Charge’s BMS board to provide that layer of safety ? Please explain the reasoning if can, i’m very interested.

Also , if you ever decide to update some more photos, ie. both the sides of the BMS boards solder points, or perhaps an explanation into why the 18650' batteries you have shown in the photo are wrapped in plastic bags for the solder photo but once installed their wrapped in black electric tape. Thanks dude ! Your awesome !

Mech nen -

Im beginning to think the unprotected cells weren’t just to get a longer life but also based on cost .. right ?

Mech nen -

I was able to get the same model of battery online and I plugged it in. When I plugged the charger in the led light of the Charge3 was blinking abnormally and not the consistent blinking. Is this a problem?

Bob Smith -

Was you able to get any help?

Adam Lamerson -

The batteries do not fit

haktanyunus99 -

can you help me ?

truong tam -

Does somebody knows what the white wire exactly is? My bms is physically defective and i cannot reuse it. Speaker works but does only charge to a few percent. When measurig voltage the white wire gives lower voltage than the cell so maybe i could correct that by adding a resistor. Maybe someone coulde measure the voltage diff between voltage of white wire and cell voltage. Thanks a

CK One -

I was actually thinking about if there’s no need for batteries. Is it possible to directly wire those 2 black wires and red wires to just a direct current? I mean only using the speakers plugged in without a battery.

macdj_hmusic -

Hi, im zulhelmy from malaysia. Can i ask you, why did you solder black wire tu + bms and res wire to - bms? I thought black for - and red for +?

And another one question, can you show me simple diagram how to connect battery to bms if use two 18650 battery.

And last one

shibly.chocaholic -

I replaced the battery in my JBL Charge 3, now it wont charge. When plugged in and powered off, the indicators are blank. When plugged in, and the power button is pushed, the charging indicator will flash all, switch to one white light, then the one light turns red, and the speaker powers off. While unplugged, it does nothing. The battery is for the 2016 version, which matches my speaker.

Adam Lamerson -

I though you only have 1protected cell?

“The protected one (after I open and rearrange the PCB of the battery for a better fit into the speaker compartment) will connect parallel to the protected one from other side of the bass radiator. “

Mzide Zeegundins -

My original battery was around 1AH nowadays. Replacement pack is pricy and I'm not sure about their quality.

For me best option is tu use original samsung 5AH 21700 cell it fits in battery compartment.

83% of original capacity is good enough and it is 5 times better to the old one.

I would not instal additional batteries because you will change air volume in speaker changing how it sound.

Piotr K -

The NCR18650B does not fit into the two speaker compartments! Either the dimensions of charge 3 are different or some issue. I have tried and wasted money on batteries!! :-(

Kapil Nagalia -