Wand Company Star Trek Communicator Battery Replacement

Written By: Garret Moses
  • Comments: 30
Wand Company Star Trek Communicator Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

10 - 20 minutes

Introduction

This detailed guide will cover the particulars on how to replace a defective battery in the Wand Company Star Trek Communicator.

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    • Before you proceed, try to completely drain your battery charge since a charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

    • Power off the Star trek Bluetooth Communicator before disassembling.

    Great!⏎
    I got mine super cheap on eBay.⏎
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/186054542706

    Mister M -

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    • Remove the four T6 Torx screws (1.70mm) located on the back of the device.

    • Remove the black plastic cover by gently pulling it.

    For anyone looking to save a lot on a replacement battery.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/186054542706

    Mister M -

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    • Remove the protective foam located around the speaker and charging magnets.

    • Be careful not to lose the two magnets located between the microphone and the speaker. The magnets can be easily removed if they come in contact with other magnetic materials.

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    • Remove the two Phillips PH0 (0.9mm) screws located to the side of each magnet.

    I placed a piece of packing tape across the magnets on to the black cover to help keep them in place.

    jimharry -

    In my original configuration, the magnets had little red marks on them that show you which side should be facing out. It is important to maintain that configuration on reassembly since if you put the magnets in upside down it will not attach to the charger properly. Good idea with the packing tape.

    Skydoc -

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    • Remove the black cover.

    • Do not try to completely separate the black cover from the rest of the device since there are fragile wires attached to wireless induction charging coils.

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    • Remove the protective foam attached to the battery.

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    • Remove the five Phillips PH0 (0.9mm) screws located at the top and bottom of the silver plate.

    I found it unnecessary to remove the silver plate. Using a tweezers to unplug the battery cord from the motherboard and then carefully lifting the battery out around the foam led to a successful removal.

    Skydoc -

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    • Remove the silver plate.

    I didn't have to remove the silver plate to replace my battery, I was able to unplug and remove the battery with the plate in place. Your mileage may vary.

    benedictacipponeri -

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    • Use the spudger to lift the battery.

    • Be careful not to lose the sensors located on the hinges of the antenna grill. If removed from their location, put them gently back into place.

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    • Grab the white connector tip of the battery wires and pull it. You might have to pull with moderate force in order to remove it.

Conclusion

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

Author

Garret Moses

Member since: 15/02/17

313 Reputation

24 comments

Do you think the heat generated during charging is damaging the Lithium Ion cells? My communicator spends the majority of its time on the charger and I noticed recently that A) the battery may be decaying and B) it's quite warm! I've been wondering if one could make an effective heatsink using a thermal pad to radiate heat to the silver plate? I'm also thinking that adding a 1-2mm rubber bumper on the charger would be good for introducing a bit of an air gap. I find that the magnetic field is strong enough to still charge the device even if it is not quite in contact with the charging stand.

hberg32 -

A little warmth is normal for Qi wireless charging. Wireless charging pads and the devices should be designed for this.

A. Don’t leave it on the charging stand non-stop, as the instructions say. If you don’t use it, give it a top-off charge a few times a year to keep the battery healthy.

B. Introducing a layer separating the device from the charging pad may do more harm than good. It can cause the charging circuit to “work harder.”

David Spalding -

Buy them on Ebay… they work great.

Paul Fischer -

Pretty cheap too.⏎
eBay Link

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186054542706

Mister M -

I didn’t have to remove the silver plate in step 7 and 8. Was able to remove the battery just fine without removing it. You may wan to edit your steps since that would eliminate the worry of losing the hinge sensors. Also, in step 5 you mention to not fully remove the black cover because the “speaker and microphone” wires are attached. FYI, that’s not the speaker, that’s the magnetic pickup coil used in the charging circuit. Doesn’t matter… you still shouldn’t disconnect the wires… just like accuracy.

One other note… it would be helpful if you posted the replacement battery information at the top so people could find a battery source prior to going through the steps. In case anyone wants to know, the batter info is: EUNICELL 382527 250mha 3.7V

Greg Lilly -

Cant find that battery

Mark treen -

Has anyone found the batteries for the communicator? The only place I can find them is on Alibaba’s site.

Edward Selgas -

Thanks Greg. Your comment saved me extra steps.

The batteries I was able to find on eBay. I also searched and found out that they are mfrd in China (exact Enercell batteries listed on Alibaba’s site but who needs 100 of them?) EBay much more expensive though.

Edward Selgas -

I have the replacement batteries I put on EBAY. $26.50ea FREE SHIPPING. Had to buy a crap load to get in the US. I just changed my battery to find the original bloated! Almost like the plastic around it filled up with gas. Hmmm. These directions for great by the way and as Greg said didn’t need to remove the metal plate. Those magnets were a pain in the a! Suggest holding them down as well as the speaker so they don’t pop out. Works great now! If you need, check my Ebay. Thanks Garrett for taking the time! BTW Did you see they are coming out with a TriCorder. Have to register for it now! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Trek-Bluet...

rjshultz1 -

Mine also had a bloated battery. Definitely room for slightly bigger battery with a redesigned holder. Gonna whip one of those up and give it a go.

The main chip underneath the battery on mine has a not-confidence inspiring burn-like mark on it. I hope the thing didn’t fry.

jimharry -

Unfortunately, Li Ion and Li Poly batteries (like in cell phones) can swell up when they start deteriorating. I’ve had several in phones and tablets start to swell as they got old, bending the backs and in one case even deforming the touchscreen.

David Spalding -

rjshultz1 can you ship to Canada?

cptdrl -

I can. Let me know.

rjshultz1 -

I updated the listing. It should now let you buy for Canada. Let me know. Thanks!

rjshultz1 -

I have about 25 batteries left.

rjshultz1 -

I've not had any issues with battery, however… while flipped open during call, it ends call thinking it flipped closed. Has this happened with anybody else and if so, is it fixable?

Kevin Bruinsma -

Thanks, Greg, I was also able to replace the battery (that I purchased from his eBay site) without removing the silver plate in step 7&8.

David Mannning -

Wow. That's some highway robbery. At $1 he's making $24 profit per unit.

Read the comment called "Expected longer battery life... found replacement battery" on Trending in reviews (amazon.com)

Mickey Logan -

Yup, I also bought the battery on eBay and it is working like new again. https://www.ebay.com/itm/186054542706

Mister M -

Hi @misterm86164, Just wondering why you wanted only the one post above by rjschultz1 removed as spam or offensive and not the others as well? ifixit Moderator

jayeff -

Is there an alternate communicator charger that you can buy which comes on a stand, held by magnets that will charge the battery while it is inside the communicator?

Paul Stanley -

As far as I've found, no. Take good care of that TWC charger.

David Spalding -

i still have the star trek burger king toys... but they stopped making sound..does anyone know how to replace batteries.. i have taken the screws out.. but the toy doesnt come apart..

Bobby Giangregorio -

how to change batteries on star trek burger king toy

Bobby Giangregorio -